Hi Ya!

sixthbday1.JPG
Originally uploaded by Wonton Woman.

That's the customary greeting here, so I figure, when in Wantage...
I've toyed with the idea of keeping a blog for about a year now but, as I said in my "about me box," I live a fairly quiet life, so what's to tell?! But a recent exchange with my friend, Angela, made me reconsider. It was fluke (especially considering the time difference) that we happened to be online at the same time and we spent a few hours catching up and trading digital photos. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and I admit, I miss keeping a journal and I miss writing, although I still use those old-fashioned stand-bys -- the pen and paper -- to write letters, cards and postcards. Still, there's something to be said for the global message, so here I am.
I imagine I'll be tottering between the past and the present in my postings. And there's always a lot going on where Charlie's concerned! He turned six yesterday, so we've been busy celebrating this whole week. He had a bowling party with 15 of his closest friends on Sunday. It was a great time and I couldn't help reminiscing about all the bowling fun I've had in my life. Mom and Dad bowled (and had trophies to prove it!); my sister, Lisa, and I bowled (and walked for miles to get to our league games each week!); and in recent years, I bowled with several friends after we got the bowling bug from watching the Cohen Bros.' "The Big Lebowski."
Anyway, we'll have to go back and roll a few as a family. The kids had all the fun Sunday.
We came back from the party and he opened all his presents. Now it's time to send out the thank-you notes. I found a really cute site for customized cards (http://www.dltk-cards.com), so I was able to use a bowling template (the pins are shaking and screaming as the ball heads toward them) and personalize each note with the friends' names and gifts they gave. All Charlie has to do is sign the cards!
Monday, he got two more presents from some friends of his. Tuesday, we took him to Toys R Us, where his is such a cheap date! He chose a spiderman costume (he LOVES to dress up), a Thomas the Tank Engine train (Diesel 10) and a pirate's hat and earring.
Then yesterday, on the big day, he got to open his two presents from Grandma -- a doctor's kit and a Black & Decker toy screwdriver -- which he hasn't stopped playing with. He also got two books from our former neighbor, Linda, who's the best neighbor I ever had. He had his favorite dinner -- spaghetti Bolognese -- and chocolate cake with chocolate icing. I found some really cool candles too -- they burn red, purple, green, blue and orange flames! All the kids at his party were asking how I got them to do that! (Find out more at www.angelflames.com.)
I can't believe he's six!! (That means he has to spend six minutes on the naughty step now!)