The day before Ouest’s birthday Lowe woke with sores in his mouth and bumps on his hands. It didn’t take Ali long to figure out he had hand foot and mouth disease. Not a big deal, but really contagious, and enough to knock him down for a day or two. Combine that with windy, cold weather pinning us down on the boat, and we decided Ouest couldn’t turn nine for a few days. She made me smile the day after her actual birthday when the grocery checkout lady asked her how old she was and she said eight.
Birthday morning rolled around, Lowe was feeling a lot better, and Ouest had yet to come down with any symptoms. Oh, and the wind was dying down and the sun was out. Time to celebrate.
The kids hunting for the nine dollars hidden in the balloons—a birthday tradition.
Nine-year-old Ouest.
Seven-year-old little Molly.
Ali went through years of files finding pics of Ouest and Molly together, and put a book together. The kids love these picture books.
We had pretty well convinced Ouest that we weren’t going to be able to get her the birthday present she wanted because there simply wasn’t any room left on the boat. And also that because she had gotten so many presents from the grandparents, we were just going to skip it ourselves. Then I found this big garbage bag in our room. So, we’ve added yet another water toy—an ISUP.
But the new paddleboard was going to have to wait, because we rented a jeep for the day and were going exploring.
We spent the day cruising slowly up the islands with nothing particular in mind.
After a late round of mini-golf we rolled back into Key West under the stars, returned the Jeep, and splashed back through the waves home, exhausted.
The next morning it was time to bust out the new stand-up paddleboard. I did entirely too much research finding what I thought would be just the right one, so I was happy when she was immediately ripping around comfortably and sturdily. Both Ouest and Lowe were able to ride it together, walk around each other, and generally just jump around on it without tipping over.
After a few uses, and multiple inflatings to use it, and deflatings to store it, we’re all really happy with it. Because I know we’ll get questions about which one it is, here is the link.
Happy Birthday, Ouest. Thank you for another wonderful year!
12 Comments on “Niner”
Happy birthday, Ouest! And merry Christmas to the whole family. I look forward to more adventures in the coming year!
Happy birthday Ouest! And Merry Christmas to one of the best families out there…
We love No Name Pub! Great Birthday Celebration:) Happy
Holidays
Happy Birthday Ouest! I can’t believe you’re nine already ?
Love exploring the Keys, a Jeep is the way to go. Spent a month in Big Pine a couple years ago, down the road from the No Name Pub. I’ve been wondering about the hurricane damage, is it recovering?
Love your SUP Ouest! Maybe I will finally get one for my birthday! See you soon
Happy Birthday Ouest! You look so happy! Lowe, on the other hand…I hope he got over his virus quickly. That’s just no fun.
Happy Birthday, Ouest! You are getting to be such a grown-up girl. I remember pictures of Molly the Dolly from way back when you were only two. You’ve grown but she’s stayed the same. Why’s that?
Ah, the No Name bar… been there. Bunch of old BMW airhead riders were there one night. I’m sure a couple of my one’s are there.
Happy Birthday Ouest! You may not know it now, but you are living an extraordinary life.
Happy birthday, Ouest, And happy holidays to the Bumfuzzles. Still enjoying your adventures. Thanks for sharing,
Happy Birthday Quest! Happy New Year to you all! What a year has past. Looking forward to a new year of adventures that you might share with all of us.
Wondered if the monkeys on the island made it thru the hurricane ok? Somewhere west of Big Pine.
Happy belated birthday Quest! (I can’t believe she’s 9!)
Uggg…I meant Happy belated birthday Ouest (sorry about that!)