Big Birthdays and Tingling Tastebuds

Many happy returns to Jeanie Beanie, Katie's grandmother in Newport. Jean celebrated her sixtieth birthday in style Saturday afternoon--she took Joshua ice fishing. (Not my first choice of a birthday activity either, but Josh really enjoyed it!)

Katie did help me make chocolate cupcakes with strawberry frosting for JB's birthday. The real shocker is that she then refused to eat them. The infamous Hessler-Kelley sweet tooth seems to have abandoned our girl, who still prefers protein products and starch. I worked so hard to train that kid's palate--veggie burgers and brown rice and blueberries. She wouldn't even try the hot fresh blueberry cobbler a neighbor delivered Friday, and she preferred frozen fish sticks to fresh fish fry from St. Paul's. There is no telling what her tastebuds will do next. It's a wild ride, friends.

We have not been riding horses, by the way, and it may be a long time before Katie can ride again. We don't talk much about Chief and Charlie so Katie won't know what she is missing. Many thanks to Nana, who has been caring for the horses during all our distractions. Thanks to Cahill and Cindy for their ongoing efforts to keep us going, too. We appreciate the rides, the use of the truck and the vitamin e. The little goodies realy do add up. We need some help with this new normal.

Joshua is looking forward to a good normal day. He plans to ski at Burke with Rick this afternoon. I hope that all of you will enjoy a little fun this weekend, too.