Birthday in July

Ephrem's birthday was on Sunday.  The evening before Gabriel and I rode our bikes to Target and the grocery store to look for another present for Ephrem and to buy food for the party.  When we got home I was tired and Gabe willingly offered to bake the birthday cake.  He made our usual yellow cake from mix with homemade chocolate frosting.  I had bought the ingredients to make a red party cake minus the red food coloring (it's expensive) just in case, but he ended up going with the simpler, time-tested route and it was delicious.

The morning of Ephrem's birthday was perfect in that he wandered into our room at about 7:20 and lied down between us for a good amount of time.  He is very much a snuggler at times but that morning he seemed especially so. It just so happened that he was born at around 7:30 in the morning too. 

Licking out the bowl of leftover frosting for a birthday breakfast.

I didn't have any birthday wrapping paper and I couldn't find tape so I turned Christmas paper inside out and tied the present up with string.  For the top present I used a paper bag and some old ribbon.  I love "making do" and not having to run out to the store.

Here is the whole gang in the new sandbox made by Dad.  Big brother Gabe, big sister Clare, and some much beloved cousins.  Ephrem wandered up to have his picture taken.  Does he have something in his mouth?   Still working away at a hot dog or hamburger from lunch, perhaps?

Blowing out candles with everyone looking on.  He has one out and  one more to go.

 Relaxing after lunch.

Thoroughly enjoying cake and ice cream.

Playing with his new present.