Lordy, Lordy, Steve is 40

The anxiety before the event took more of a toll on Steve (and Sarah) than actually turning 40. Doesn’t that always seem to be the case with these things? On Steve’s actual birthday we made our way down to the beach and had some time to enjoy ourselves in between setting things up for the following day. Steve is used to sharing his birthday with the nation and having everyone in red, white, and blue – even the dogs and their toenails. He got a home-baked banana cake. Of course Scott was the one to find evidence that is was made by Mom. Steve got love from all the neighbors at the beach in addition to the Robinson Clan. When we got tired of warming up with some fireworks, the Bailey’s and Christopher got a taste of Rock Band . . . which continued into the next morning (nice outfit Sarah). Hildi was excited to put on her bike helmet we decorated for the first of two parades.

The parade in downtown Rockaway was nuts. We aren’t sure if it was the heat in town, the 100th year anniversary or that Vancouver didn’t do fireworks and everyone from there went to the coast instead. We aren’t crowd people and were pretty annoyed with people’s parade etiquette. The one saving grace was a pronto pup stand. Dad, Steve and Scott all felt better after eating one. Two words: never again.

Back at the house we got ready for the “local” parade, ate lunch, played Rock Band. Are you tired yet? We were. Trask, Finn and Hildi showed off their helmets. Devin wooed the crowd with tricks on the Green Machine. Zach rode the bike with the 10,000-bubbles-a-minute machine strapped to the back and was the talk of the parade. His brother Cameron tired to keep up on foot. They had a big fan club: Mamama and Papapa, Nana and Papa, Oma and Opa, Karen, Marilee, Valerie, Jon, Angie, Sarah’s Mom, Justin, Nif and Scott. Karen and Valerie had an audience for their antics too.

It was pretty nice so the boys stocked our beach spot marked off by flags Sarah, Finn and Hildi made, with Scott’s dry wood. Semi-sunny with a wind block and fire -- those that sat around it looked pretty happy. Cameron kept his parents on their toes, toying with the idea of being a firewalker. Devin with some help from the others dug a homogenous hole in the sand. Finn found cutlery in the sand. Sarah pretended to be a dog show contestant and Kubla the Pug fell in love with Niffer. Neighbors Sally and Andrew now know why Rockwell clears our house and heads for theirs when the relatives come over. The group was complete with Kevin and the O’Bryan’s, the Massini contingent. Some home grown beef burgers, potluck dishes, and alcohol made dinner go down easy. Some champagne (nice opening skills Mason), cake and the traditional odd animal present from Terry and Wilma and it was time to hit the beach again.

We didn’t really need any of our own fireworks, but the kids had to dip into the stash Nif and Scott brought. And then there is the incident I’d like to forget. It seemed like a great idea – Chinese Wish Lanterns. They are supposed to go straight up with light wind. He had light wind so we got ready to launch five for Steve, but put our first (that looked like it could still be glowing) into the trees, so Sarah made like a monkey, rand and got it out with out any damage. Guess we got our wish. We all made it home safe and sound.