The Lee Family: Happy Birthday, Papa!

Saturday, December 19, 2015

Happy Birthday, Papa!

We celebrated CK's birthday today and had a fun celebration! A few days ago, Olivia made her Papa a card and took meticulous care in coloring a Stearman, to which I added our heads from photos of us. Then, I asked her what she wanted to write to him and wrote it clearly in pencil which she then wrote over in pen. Sofia colored and wrote her own card and also colored a Charlie Brown coloring page for her Papa. On Friday afternoon, after meeting friends for lunch following an early release from school, we drove over to Southlake to buy birthday presents. First we went to REI and Sofia immediately found a green plaid shirt that she really liked and it was the perfect size and I agreed that it would really look good on him. We walked around the store and came across a balaclava that we figured would be perfect for flying the Stearman on cold mornings. Next we went to Orvis, which is always a favorite and picked out a new scarf that had olive green in it to match a jacket he wears all the time. We also decided on an aftershave that we all agreed smelled like him. Finally, we headed over to William Sonoma, where a friend of mine told me they have airplane ice trays. We were lucky enough to find a parking spot right in front of the store and found the ice tray that actually looked just like the Baron! Sofia couldn't wait to "try it out" and wanted to be sure that CK opened it first.

After buying presents, we returned home to wrap them and put them with the present and card from CK's parents. For his birthday, CK went flying (big surprise) and we had him open his present that had the shirt and balaclava in it since it was a cold morning and we figured he could use it. He loved it and after he returned from flying he said it worked perfectly. While he flew, I made a pie crust and found a good recipe for pecan pie so we could use his Aunt Lila's fresh pecans. He loves pecan pie and asked if he could have it for his birthday.
For dinner we grilled filet mignon and had asparagus and mashed potatoes (also favorites of his). While we waited for the food to cook, we sat outside by the fireplace and enjoyed cheese and salamis that Joseph sent for Christmas. It was the perfect temperature and cool enough to enjoy the fire while our food cooked. Soon the food was ready and we ate inside. It all turned out perfectly! After dinner, we sang Happy Birthday and ate pecan pie with vanilla ice cream.

Following birthday pecan pie, CK opened his gifts and liked them all. He got a great shirt from his parents which will also be perfect for flying too. It was a great outer oil-resistant surface with a flannel interior. It will be perfect for those cold mornings!

Our friends, the Seigel-Boettners from California were due in around 9:30pm so I quickly cleaned up and then headed to the airport to pick them up. It was a great birthday celebration and it was fun to celebrate CK!

CK opens one of his birthday gifts early so he can use it flying.