Happy Birthday Daddy

We almost didn't make it to celebrate Chris' birthday. In all the craziness of our travels, the overwhelming amount of work work, the chaos of this house and YiaYia's battery dying, we almost threw in the towel and said we would celebrate another day. But we pressed on, a little stressed out and an hour late, and ended up having a great time at the Japanese Hibachi restaurant, even making friends with the others at our table who were also celebrating a birthday. Hibachi is like dinner and a show for toddlers, totally engrossing, although both Athena and Zoe screamed a bit when he lit the grill on fire.
The birthday boy requested handmade gifts this year and I think he received presents more precious than anything we could have bought. A collection of child care coupons from Mimi and a handmade ornament, beautiful framed collage from Athena, a special photo from Zoe and from me, a handmade calendar with a reason why I love him on each day, YiaYia took care of the bill (thanks Mom!)

Athena ate everything. Miso soup, noodles, chicken, broccoli. All with
children's chopsticks and even fishing out the wiggly bits of
tofu in her soup. She did better with her chopsticks than YiaYia did.

Zoe charmed the waitstaff and enjoyed the show.