RICK'S BIRTHDAY

Today was Rick's 35th birthday. If he wasn't working on his paying job he was busy with his pleasure one. Rick is still the official supplemental feeder. This means, of course, that he is present at each and every feeding. Due to Nico's earlier weight loss, we have to wake him to eat every three hours. No problem in the day time. However at night Nico, like all the rest of us, wants to sleep longer.

One of the most difficult things I do is wake everyone. I am the alarm clock. So I am constantly arousing the whole group for the night feedings. I really don't mind getting up myself. Rick and May do all the work. (Well maybe I change a diaper or two while everyone opens their eyes.) I just dislike waking sleeping people. It has always been a challenge for me. My own Nana would say, "If someone is sleeping they must need their sleep." I guess I really took that to heart. When my kids were young I bought them alarm clocks very early on. I let the clocks do the dirty work.

Oops! I digressed some. Last evening, for the birthday boy, we went out to Artisan pizza and had the best pizza anywhere outside of Italy. It was so very yummy. We also had grilled veggies (very Italian). This was Nico's first outing and he was quite good until we were nearly done eating, so we made the quick exit. When we came home we had a delicious apple pie from Fleur de Lis bakery. Rick prefers apple pie over cake for his birthday treat. Nico complained a bit when Dad went to blow out the candles, but that's OK.

May gave Rick money towards his latest desired surfboard along with the extra special gift of his Sissyfish artwork made into a book. It is beautiful. I have included a snapshot of the book and my favorite drawing. It was difficult to choose from all the great pieces. My photography leaves much to be desired I know.

Most everyone else made contributions for the new board. An unusual birthday for Rick, some of his limelight was stolen by the latest star. The rewards are too great to begin to mention. Anyone with kids knows this. So all is well here at the Albano household.