Andrew has a very special connection with my dad. Every Saturday they go out for a little excursion. It might involve going to Target or looking at books, and it always involves lunch. I am not sure when the JCW's tradition began, but Andrew loves to go there. The Thanksgiving Point location is his special place. All the people there know Andrew and my dad, since they visit every Saturday. Andrew usually gets fries, a Sprite, and Cookies and Cream shake. He's a very picky eater (part of the Autism) and literally will not eat anything else on the menu. Anyway, that is why JCW's was chosen as the location for Andrew's 21st birthday party.
It was hard to get a good photo of the whole group since we spread out and took the whole southeast corner of the restaurant. I felt bad for the other guests and had to keep trying to keep my kids calm. They were so excited to see their cousins- they just love them and don't get to see them enough.
Finally it was time for Andrew to open his presents. We could tell by his actions that he was happy to be at JCW's and very excited to open his presents. He loves birthdays and especially opening presents (who doesn't?). My parents got him a Leapster since his LeapPad is being discontinued and they don't make games any more. We all got him new games to play on the Leapster. After the opening of the presents, we all sang our version of Happy Birthday, which I believe is the old Chi Chi's song, if you know the tune. "Happy Happy Birthday, May all your dreams come true, Happy Happy Birthday, to you to you to you, OLE!" The kids love to sing this song and it's great for our non-musical family, since we don't have to carry a tune!
Andrew loved his Cookies and Cream shake! Yes, this is his excited face...
It was a fun night with the family. We all stayed and chatted until about 8 or so, then we had to go and get the kids to bed. I am so happy that we could celebrate Andrew's birthday. He is an important part of our family and we love him so much.
Pumpkin Biscuits with Orange-Honey Butter
2 c. flour
3 T. sugar
2 tsp. bkg. Powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. bkg. Soda
½ tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 c. butter, chilled and cut in small pieces
1/2 c. pumpkin
3/4 c. fat free buttermilk
1/4 c. orange- honey butter
Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups, and level with a knife. Combine flour and next 6 ingredients (through nutmeg); cut in chilled butter with pastry blender until mixture is a coarse meal. Combine buttermilk and pumpkin; add to flour mix, stirring until just moist. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface; knead lightly 5 times. Roll to ½ inch thickness.
Cut into 12 biscuits with 2 ½ inch cutter. Place on sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake at 450 degrees for 11 minutes or until golden. Serve with Orange-Honey butter.
Orange-Honey Butter
½ c. butter, softened
½ c. honey
½ tsp. grated orange zest
Combine in bowl and beat with mixer at medium speed until well blended.
4 comments:
Happy Birthday to your bother! As you I have a brother with Downs too and I know what an amazing blessing it is to have someone with special need in your family. I think it's so great that your dad and brother have such a close relationship - really - how great!
And of course thanks again for another recipe -- I can't wait to try the curry!
It's so fun to see Andrew smiling like that.
Another pumpkin recipe, yum!
Sounds like a fun birthday party! I remember when we were in Roi-Et and we watched your family's Christmas video. It was so much fun to watch Andrew open up his presents and to see how excited you were to see him. =D
Wow, I can't believe Andrew is 21! That is very neat that your Dad takes him out every Saturday! I can't wait to try the curry.
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