11/11 Veterans Day and Hansel's Birthday

The day before Hansel's birthday after work, i took the kids shopping to buy him a gift. I had money left on a PaperSource gift card. I told them I would pay for half of the difference and the other would come from their allowance. They got him a cooking flipper in the shape of a guitar. And then, we picked up a few Kara's cupcakes before heading home.

As I mention every year, Hansel's birthday is on Veterans Day, and the kids always have the day off. So this year, we planned to take them to Safari Run for the first open play session. We took two cars because I needed to pick up Hansel's gift after and Hansel would have to get home to relieve the nanny.

On the way there we stopped to look at a property in Menlo Hansel thought we should bid on. With the stop and Safari Run not having much parking, we missed the first session. I had told Leilani about it, and they were already inside when we got there. We decided to wait around for the next session instead of leaving and coming back. It was kind of torture for Maile and Beck. hansel went back home.

After Safari Run, I took the kids to get my gift for Hansel and to get lunch. It took forever to get lunch because the first McD's we went to didn't have a drive-thru. Anyway, I had only planned to take a half day off from work (and make up the hours later), so I had to work a few hours before making dinner.

After dinner, we had the cupcakes and gave Hansel his presents. My gift was a gift card to GoKart Racer in Burlingame. I bought enough for 4 people to do the SuperTrack on Sunday. I had already arranged with Wayne, Dave, and Telly to meet us on Sunday. Since it was Hansel's 40th, I wanted him to do something more than just cake with the family.

Hansel's aunt gave Hansel a remote-control helipcopter from Brookstone. He took the kids to the park with the helicopter for a test run on Saturday. The helicopter quickly caught the attention of a couple of boys at the park.

Hansel ended up going with Dave and Telly to a car meet on Saturday, so they decided to meet at GoKart Racer earlier before the SuperTrack time because Telly had plans. On Sunday, Telly ended up being late. The guys were quick to give him hard time about it. Since it was Hansel's birthday, he got a couple of free laps on the shorter track before the guys did their laps and race on the other track.

Telly came in first, of course, then Hansel, Wayne, and Dave. Afterward I was surprised to see them all sweaty. I guess that's what happens when there's no power steering.

I don't have a shot of all the guys but I do of the kids. It's all about the kids, right? Even during a 40th birthday.