We celebrated my daughter’s 17th birthday this evening. Her birthday was actually yesterday, but there were things going on. She and Dad were driving home from Nebraska after taking Ethan back on Sunday. One of her birthday presents was going to see Dune in the Ravoli theater in Seward, which they did Sunday night. The boys and I were pretty much bums and hung out.

They wanted to stay up all night, and hounded me again until I forcefully said “Fine!” They’ve lived a different life with me and that hardly ever happens where I get exasperated or impatient. But when it does they’re not happy because they want me to be happy when I say yes, not mad at them somehow. I don’t remember what was said but we eventually worked it out.

I woke up to the sound of minor discord around 1:30. I went downstairs and they were playing their computer games. One was upset about something and I said, “Alright, it’s time for bed.” They didn’t fight me about it and they all settled down in different places in the school room. They slept in until about 9 or even later. All of the rest of the kids are on spring break this week.

We went out to run errands and drove through Chick-fil-A for lunch. We were home in tie to put up some decorations before Josh and Elianna were home around 2. That way we were at least acknowledging the birthday on the actual day. I had class that evening which was the main reason we weren’t doing it then. I called my mother-in-law to see if she wanted to come over on Tuesday.

She said yes and that my sister-in-law and brother-in-law and their girls were going to be in town too for their spring break. So they were all over tonight and it was fun. Our birthday songs were more robust with more singers. Dad and the boys worked on boiling more sap today. I went to the store and shopped for food and with joy and ease all pitched in with the food and cleaning.