Birthday fun

A long, long time ago, so long I can barely remember it, my birthdays were about me. I used to make a huge deal of my birthday, which often extended beyond the actual day to become my birthday week. Heck, some years it was an entire birthday month's worth of festivities.

In this new life, however, everything is about Millie, and I wouldn't have it any other way. To see any special event through her eyes, from a visit to a water park to being serenaded by a crazy German accordion player, just made the whole day so much more magical.

Saturday we had dinner with my parents and brother at Gasthof's in Northeast Minneapolis (the Home of Das Boot!). It was wild. Millie sat wide-eyed in Safta's lap most of the time. But the crazy accordion guy had a little Pooh Bear wearing tiny lederhosen hanging from his beer stein, so she tolerated him and even clapped dutifully along to all his serenades.

Sunday we went to a water park. It was like taking a mini-vacation five minutes from home. Everything was perfect, except the water could have been warmer, but Millie didn’t care. She was blue head to toe with bright purple lips and still refused to come out of the water. I had to bribe her with popcorn and after a few handfuls she was back in the pool. My little purple fish. The weekend was topped off with a trip to Famous Dave’s, one of the only places that inspires Millie to actually eat.

In reading this, I feel like we might as well buy a mini-van and go ice fishing, we sound so suburban. Back in that past life I mentioned earlier, a water park and Famous Dave’s would have sounded like punishment, not a celebration. But I don’t care, it was a wonderful birthday weekend. Next on the horizon, planning Millie’s birthday bash. I am sure Winnie the Pooh will be a part of that party too somehow.

At Gasthof's:











Me no likey accordion guy.



But I guess he does have a Pooh Bear, so he can't be all bad.



Three Rivers Waterpark:

Who is having more fun, Millie or daddy?



Nothing better than a pool side snack.



And finally, la piece de resistance ...corn on the cob at Famous Dave's!