Yummy birthday treats

Andy turned 41!!!

I think this calls for a celebration.

I didn't have much energy this week, and got his dessert started late.

But, we got it done, and it was sooo yummy!

I got this recipe from my friend, Pilar, several years ago.

We only make it about once a year, if that.

Cut 6 Reese's peanut butter cup packages.

Stir them into the Ghirardelli brownie mix batter.

Do not add the syrup.

 It truly looked perfect!

 42 candles

(one to grow on)

 We didn't light the middle candles because it was too hot!

I lit a bunch, and Andy was having too much fun with the lighter.

 There was so much smoke after Andy blew the candles out.

 Today, we drove around, looking for the right place to have Anthony's 

End of Chemo party in about a month.

We found it!

 This was the first time Anthony has tried climbing one of these!

He got this far, then freaked out, thinking he was stuck.  :)

Also in developments during therapy today~

Anthony showed a HUGE cognitive leap!

He was problem-solving with the cookie cutting knife (toy).

Then, he started making animal sounds, and with the right animals!

Anthony has always known animal signs.

They were actually the first sign language he learned.

But, never has he added sounds to go with them, except the quacking ducks.

I think his body and brain are enjoying not having chemo anymore.

 Anthony went down a different slide, and we were trying to tell him to go down this one.

Josh volunteered to just go hold his hand and lead him there.  

Anthony was only too happy to go along.

 He was enjoying this, besides what you might see as his expression.

 Josh looking like a leprechaun from the back.

 This boy yelled, "Hey Kid!  Jump on!"

Josh jumped on, and had fun.

Our children hadn't ridden on one of these before.

 Lilly stirred and melted some chocolate ice cream for Anthony.

He liked it more than we thought he would.