Mom's Birthday Gifts - Turns 92!!!

What would you like if you lived to be ninety-two? As the saying may go, "Each to his own." Well, we put that question to our mother. And here is what she wanted:

Before we do begin, my mother who grew up on the farm, enjoys just going for country rides. She has always loved looking at houses and even at one point in her life had a collection of houses given to her by her family and friends. So to begin her birthday day, she wanted a country ride. Ride along with her three daughters, Jan, Louise and I as we fulfill her birthday wishes. First on her list was some donuts critters from Edward's Apple Orchard West. She only loves them when they are HOT! So, of course we had to eat them hot off the press.

Some of the critters just look like a much smaller donut! Let me tell you they were hot and very delicious. Above you can see Jan enjoying one of those critters.

Second on Mom's birthday list was onion rings from Culver's. Louise checked to make sure that there was a Culver's in Freeport, because that was where we were going to have our picnic.

Mom's third wish was to have our picnic at Krape Park, in Freeport, Illinois. It's a great family park. We have all been there at various time in our lives.

On Mom's birthday list was having a salami sandwich. So Louise packed the french bread, various cheeses, salami and of course the ingredients that make a sandwich great...like onion, relish, mayonnaise etc.

And no birthday would be complete with out a birthday cake. Since my brother Bruce had given mom a small cake from Hilander's, she kept it for trip. We sang off- key, "Happy Birthday" to her and then we.....

devoured the cake. Yes, we eat the WHOLE THING!!!!! To complete the party, mom then opened our cards and gifts to her.

Even though the sun never came out, we had a perfect day. Before we started to eat, Jan had somthing hit her on the head. "What was that?" Of course if we had noticed what laid all around the ground, we probably would have realized that it was a small acorn. While we were eating, something hit me on my neck, I knew what it was but didn't realize that a small acorn can hurt so much. It just added some more laughter to our day.

Before we left the park Jan wanted Louise and I to walk to the Carrousel to take a picture of us riding the horses. Since mother is limited with her walker on how far she can go on uneven grounds, we left her in the car. Her reaction to us leaving her along...."You mean you are going to forsake me on my birthday." she said laughingly. But when we arrived at the Carrousel, it was closed.

The last birthday wish was a stop at Union Dairy Ice Cream Shop in Freeport, Illinois. What a perfect way to end the day. Above mom is enjoying black cherry ice cream in a waffle cone.

Lots of talking, laughing and of course WAY TOO MUCH FOOD! Now it was time to head home. Hope you enjoyed riding along with us. Wasn't it fun! And to think that mom got ALL HER BIRTHDAY WISHES!