Three

Last Wednesday Opie and Ellie turned three years old, at least as best we can tell. Regardless, that is the date we have marked as their birthday and the day that we celebrate their birth each year. It is hard to believe that it has already been three years. They are getting so big. OK, they are cats, and at three they are more than full grown. So full grown in fact that they are on restricted diets; no self restraint you know.

As has become tradition, we get a birthday cake from Concord Tea Cakes with the "Happy Birthday Opie & Ellie" message written on it. The ladies at Concord Tea Cakes always get a kick out of the fact that we do this every year. They always smile as I tell them what I want written on the cake and they realize that it probably isn't for our children. Really it is. This year I bought them a raspberry lemon cake, which they enjoyed greatly. As usual, we made them wear their party hats which they enjoyed much less. Always the good sports though, they suffered through it for the party shots.

Besides sampling the frosting on the cake, they each got a tiny piece of cake as well, which it is safe to say, they enjoyed. Once a year probably won't ruin the diet. It was a good time for all and Cathy and I were glad to share some of the cake as well, given how we had missed out on cake for my birthday this year. We feel fortunate to be able to celebrate it with them and wish them a happy and health year.