Mint Chocolate chip – Various Ramblings of a Nostalgic Italian

Pet Peeve

I have a few pet peeves. One of those is people who say “Happy Memorial Day.” To me, this is an example of someone who just doesn’t get what the day signifies. Memorial Day is not like Christmas, Thanksgiving, or a birthday. Memorial Day is a day for remembrance and honor! I saw “Happy Memorial Day” countless times on Facebook, on TV, and heard it on the radio. Please stop. For those who need a refresher – this is for you:

Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for honoring and mourning the U.S. military personnel who have died in the performance of their military duties. Please remember that when you are having your back yard BBQ next year.

A Busy Weekend

As most of you know, Sam is 5 months pregnant. We decided to stay close to home for the holiday weekend. There were a lot of things to do around the house and some shopping that needed to be done. We took a trip to Sam’s Club and picked up a bunch of stuff there, and then ventured up to Birch Run so I could get a few pairs of scrub pants for work.

The weather was just beautiful. Ella got plenty of time to play in the sandbox and on the trampoline this weekend. We also got to go out and walk the neighborhood a few times. One walk had a purpose.

Our neighborhood has a “group” on Facebook. A neighbor posted a picture of his daughter in front of her Melissa and Doug Lemonade Stand with the request to “make her day” by purchasing a glass for just fifty cents!

We grabbed the stroller and walked a few streets over and grabbed three glasses of lemonade. I made sure to give her an extra fifty cents as a tip! Ella loved it!! So did we. As we started to walk away, another neighbor drove up to purchase some. We were certainly glad to help make her day.

Cool Treat

I think ice cream and summer holiday weekends go together. We decided that we wanted to grab ice cream on Monday. It was about 6pm, and I knew that the local Dairy Queen was gonna have a line of cars out to the road. I remembered that about 7 miles down the road, there was a little ice cream shop. They serve regular ice cream and soft serve, and since Sam was craving Moose Trax, we drove there.

The line was not long at all and we were at the window in less than 5 minutes. This place gives you plenty of ice cream! Their scoops are huge! Sam got her Moose Trax, I got mint chocolate chip, and we got Ella a scoop of chocolate (with sprinkles). She started to eat it at one of the picnic tables, and then they started to get busier, so we drove home to finish. Ella loved her ice cream. After she got toward the end, she actually picked up the bowl and started to drink it like soup or something!

Another First

We cooked out for the first time on Monday. I grilled up some burgers and hot dogs. I also cooked up some potatoes on the grill. Sam cooked up some corn on the cob. We decided to let Ella try some. She put the holders on the ends of the corn, Sam showed her how to hold it and she was off! She pretty much ate two cobs of corn. I wish I knew how to post a video on here. I took some video and asked if she liked her corn (as she was munching away on it). She shook her head “no” and kept eating, only to put it down and say “mmmmmm!” Love this girl!!

Bonus Vacation Day

Because the holiday falls on a day that I don’t normally work, those of us who work on Tuesday were given Tuesday off. Sadly, Sam still had to work, but I took advantage of the day with Ella. We went for a walk around the neighborhood, and then spent all morning at the park. She got to swing on the swings, play by the slide, walk by the creek, talk to the dogs that were out being walked, and run around like crazy!

We always start at the swings, and when I said it was time to go, she signed “more” and pointed to the swings. I took her back over to the swings and she got to swing a little bit more. She LOVES swinging! I was able to snap a picture that I feel sums up what summer should feel like:

Back to Work

I have to be back at work tonight, but I got to spend some extra daddy/daughter time with Ella as mommy slept. We usually play on the floor with her toys. Today, she wanted to go down the little slide we have in the house. She must have done that about 35 times. Then she grabbed the stuffed Curious George my dad gave her and sat him on the couch next to me. She climbed down, grabbed a book and started “reading” to George. It was so sweet.

Listen up, George! I’m a Pout Pout Fish …

It has been a while, since we had a nice family weekend together. What a blessing to spend it with my wife and daughter.

I received my invitation to join the AARP early last week. A week earlier the letter from the Secretary of State telling me my plates were about to expire came in the mail. Both served as a reminder that I was about to get older. Three days ago, I completed my 50th trip around the sun. I celebrated the 11th anniversary of my 39th birthday, as I like to say. My milestone birthday was celebrated in quarantine.

All over Facebook there are “quarantine items” you can have made. You can have things like: “Our first anniversary – in quarantine,” “Class of 2020 – the one spent in quarantine,” or “I turned 50 in quarantine and all I got was social distancing,” put on T-shirts, coffee mugs, or just about anything. I’m thankful that I didn’t get any of that stuff for my birthday. As a matter of fact, I am glad it happened while in quarantine!

Why would I be glad about that? Well, I know my wife. She would have found a way to throw me some sort of party. Don’t get my wrong, I would love to see all my friends and family. I just wouldn’t want all the hoopla surrounding my age. I can see all the black “Over the Hill” balloons, “Look who’s 50!” banners, and I’d receive gifts like a cane with a bicycle bell and rear view mirror on it! No, I don’t need that. Besides, most of my close friends are all turning 50 this year, too. I’m sure there will be some sort of birthday party down the road for one of them. I can go to that and celebrate with them! Hell, maybe a joint party is needed?

We had some errands to run early in the day, so I was out when my oldest son called me. I felt bad, because he drove to my house to surprise me with a card. He left it in the door for me and he had me video chat him when I got home. He told me he couldn’t find a Tim Horton’s card, so he opted for Burger King, because he knows I drink their coffee, too!

Another friend texted me and said “Yo! What is your favorite beer?” This made me chuckle. I told her that was the weird text of the day and told her two of my favorites. On the drive home, I received another text from her that simply read: “Yo! Check your porch!” When I got home there was a six pack of each of my favorite beers and a wonderful heartfelt note.

One of the errands we had to run was for my wife. She had me stop at this local bakery and sent me in to pick up her order. She had asked me earlier in the week what my favorite ice cream was. I told her it was probably Mint Chocolate Chip. This little bakery made me a Mint Chocolate Chip birthday cake. It was simply delicious! It tasted just like the ice cream!

She and Ella made me a very special birthday gift. I cannot even begin to tell you how special it is. She took Ella’s footprints and made a heart. I cried when she gave it to me. I always hope that she will see me as her first love and her hero! I can’t wait to hang it up.

Ella’s feet were busy this week. 10 days earlier, for Mother’s Day, I had also used her feet for an art project. Funny how my wife and I think alike … I heard Sam singing “You are My Sunshine” to Ella one day and then found this idea, and made it for her.

Throughout the day, there were countless Facebook messages, calls from my son, brother and father, and text messages from friends and family. Getting to spend my birthday at home with my wife and daughter meant the world to me. As a matter of fact, it was the perfect way to spend the day.

Her smile just melts my heart!

So what will 50 bring? I don’t know. What do I wish for? Good health. Weight loss. A growing family. Less stress. Job security. More family time. To be a better husband and father. Less debt. Better time management. A deeper and stronger faith. To be more forgiving. To be less angry. The ability to let go of the things that hold me back. To be more positive. To make amends for wrongs I have done. To look at each day as a gift. To listen more. To smile more. To love and cherish those who are important to me.

Cheers to another year!

Tag: Mint Chocolate chip

Memorial Day Weekend Recap