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Thursday Evening, May 8

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We arrived just before 6 pm – the time for the party – to a variety of festive chalk drawings and paintings for Anthony’s party.

Anthony is 11!

I think he was the one who did these first two announcements.

Jasmine told us about the chalk work on their sidewalks. She was in festive headdress.

Natalie showed us the sidewalk she decorated.

Next to the house I noticed these beautiful yellow Iris. I have some just like it that are blooming this year and wondered where I got them. I think Abby gave me some bulbs last year following Anthony or Natalie’s birthday party (Natalie’s is coming up in two weeks.)

As we were about to enter the front door, I noticed this box with a mamma cat nursing her three kittens.

Anthony said they are about three weeks old.

The festive mood continued as we entered the house with a giant dinosaur balloon hovering over the kitchen table.

Anthony and his dinosaur.

The birthday person in this house gets to choose decorations and food for their celebration.

There was also a cute cheetah roaming around the house.

Renee

Following a supper of sausage links (grilled by Nathaniel), mac and cheese, fried green beans, watermelon and cantaloupe it was time to sing happy birthday as Anthony was presented with his donut birthday cake.

He blew out the candles so quickly that I missed that shot.

His mom Abby, Sister Jazzy, Aunt Adrielle, Brother Garth, and Anthony just after he blew out the candles.

The left side of the of the table: Keith (Melita’s friend) Anthony’s Aunt Melita holding her look alike (Natalie), Grandma Luanne, Grandpa Dale, Aunt Lydia, Sister Renee, and Dad Nathaniel.

Opening a gift from Grandpa and Grandma Zuck. It was a certificate for a field trip for Anthony, Jazzy and Natalie to Penn’s Cave. Abby and Nathaniel homeschool their children. Grandma Zuck is their science teacher – usually every Friday.

I think this was the last gift he opened. It contained a few science-related items and projects from Keith and Melita. I am not sure what was in the box, but I know one item was a compass.

I love these birthday parties.