Milestones

Within a matter of a few hours, 2 milestones were reached in our house last week.

Last Thursday night, right after bedtime, Jenna lost her top front tooth. It's not her first tooth lost, it's actually her 4th, but there's something about losing those top teeth. When the permanent teeth come in, they just don't look like babies anymore. So while she would wiggle the tooth every chance she got to make it come out, I told her that she was wasting her time because I was just going to Superglue it back in.

For some reason, she didn't believe me. And she was right, I didn't Superglue it back in because I couldn't find the dog gone glue. I can't find anything in this house these days including, but not limited to: the charger for my camera battery, the battery for my video camera, mailing tape-- well you get the point.

But I digress, as usual. I was very sad to see that little tooth laying in the palm of her hand. I lost my little girl last Thursday night.

And a mere few hours later I lost my baby. Emma turned 2. And given my over all melancholy state at that point, I cried.

Her birthday was Friday but for a whole host of reasons I won't bore you with, we had her party on Sunday. Of course, she never knew the difference.

It's my party and I'll cry if I want to.

Emma was crying because I had recently come home with a bunch of balloons and she wanted one. This girl Loves balloons, and yes with a capital L. So being the loving mother that I am, I cut one off and gave it to her.

This is later in the party but apparently the only photo that captured the balloons. Obviously, Emma's lone balloon wasn't missed.

She was a happy girl dancing and entertaining the masses with her balloon.


While Ryan demonstrated his newly acquired Choke Hold on his cousin Adam. Notice that he really does have an audience.

Emma sitting on Uncle Kevin's lap. Holding her balloon, of course.

Happy girl!

Okay, so the cake didn't say "Happy Birthday Emma" but the girl can't read anyway. It was obvious to everyone there the cake was for her. Yes, I am a slacker mom and bought the cake only a few hours before. With the balloons.

Emma's freaking out a bit because she can't quite figure out why I'm holding her sideways and leaning her toward the cake. Therapy in her future, perhaps?

But then I showed her that she needed to blow out the candle. She didn't quite do it but she ended up having fun and the cake wasn't covered with spit. That's always a plus.

Birthday cake makes everyone happy, especially when it's yours.

Am I supposed to eat that?

Wearing frosting in your hair is the newest trend. Keep up people.

And then there were gifts, but her favorite item by far was that stinkin' balloon. At least now I know what I'm getting her for Christmas.

Happy, Happy Birthday to Me!

Birthdays have never been a huge deal to me. Don't get me wrong, I try to make them a big deal for the kids which often results in a multi day event now dubbed "Birthday Week." But for me, not so big a deal. Usually all I ask is that I get out of cooking and someone tells me Happy Birthday.

But last year was the straw that broke the proverbial camel's back. The day of my birthday found us days away from movers showing up at our door and a house that wasn't completely packed yet. To say that I was feeling some pressure was an understatement. I was packing and working on a long list of projects that needed to be tackled before the day of the big move which started practically at sunrise and ended long after sunset. My birthday was no different and the boys, who were mourning the leaving of friends and significant others. were gone most of the day. Throw in dealing with a 10 month old, along with a 5 and 10 year old, and I was one cranky momma. So it came as no surprise that when Ross popped in around 3:00 in the afternoon to just grab something and go about his merry way, I lost it. I'm not proud of this fact, and I don't recall the entire contents of my verbal barrage (which incidentally continued on throughout the day to make sure no one was sparred) but I do remember using phrases such as "the least someone could do is say Happy Birthday" and "I'm going to remember this when it's your birthday."

One of my finer moments, for sure.

Needless to say, this year my birthday was remembered, and remembered well. For weeks my children having been asking me what I wanted for my birthday and secretly scheming planning.

Today was my birthday and I had told my children that the only things I coveted were sleeping past 8 am and not cooking the entire day. So promptly at 8:01 I was awaken by Julia and Jenna singing Happy Birthday. As I was about to roll over and beg for more sleep, I saw that they were carrying a tray of food, breakfast in fact, and it was good food. Breakfast in bed. I dined on a feast of bacon, scrambled eggs and toast. When I was finished, I was lead downstairs (blindfolded-- I accused them of planning to push me down the stairs) and into the living room where I received a mini spa treatment which included a hand rub, back scratch and a facial. Now this is the life.

Later I got ready for my sister-in-law Janne' to pick me up and take me out to lunch. We had a wonderful afternoon which included a delicious lunch, a mini shopping trip to by Janne' some clothes and a trip to Starbucks. Ah, Starbucks...

(I will add that Janne' felt it wrong to be shopping for her when it was my birthday but I told her I refused to buy myself any more clothes until I lost weight because I was no longer going to enable my fatness.)

Janne' took me home, announcing that she had to go to the bathroom before driving herself about a half mile home and I didn't find that unusual at all. Some days I can be so obtuse.

We walked into the house where I was greeted with Surprise! It was a surprise party-- for me!

{Yes, that is a Starbucks cup in my hand}

Julia, Jenna and Cody had picked up the house and decorated it with streamers and signs. Julia had even invited a couple of my neighbors Lori and Kristin. Also in attendance where my parents, my brother Rick and my nephews Dillon and Zach. Kevin and Janne' had to tag team because my niece Caitlin was sick.

The theme was a tea party and they got every conceivable treat you could think of to go with tea.

My cake says "32." I tell everyone that I'm 31 so Trace decided that it was finally time for me to age a year. (Okay, okay, I'm really 45.)

Next it was time for gifts. The bag says Sassy Pants and I'm pointing to my pants to show that indeed, I am Sassy Pants. Carey will be quite proud of me because that gift bag has been recycled countless times in this house, including being used for my father's birthday gift a few nights earlier.
Emma was wanting to help open cards and gifts. Notice I'm "hiding" a card on top of my head. Old and talented.

The kids all pooled their money together and bought me an iPod Touch. My nephew Zach is looking over my shoulder asking if he can have it if I don't want it. Sure Zach, stand in line. I also got a spa gift certificate from Ross and a large rattan chest from Trace, Cody and Julia to hide the toys in the living room. I guess it really does pay to complain.

Soon after everyone left we found Jenna on the living room floor--

Asleep. I guess all that partying wore her out. Light weight.

PS> I really expected nothing from my children this year other than the opportunity for someone else to provide the meals for the day and for my birthday to be acknowledged. My children went far and beyond what they should have done and they will be punished severely for spending so much of their own money.

Jenna Turns Six!!! Part Two

Friday night we celebrated Jenna's birth with one of her favorite foods-- Pizza! Trace works for a local pizzeria and he specially made her favorite pizza, sausage pizza, into the shape of a heart.

We had other kinds too, especially my sister-in-law Janne's new favorite a white pizza with chicken and spinach, which Trace introduced her to a couple of weeks ago. Janne and I went to Trace's pizza place on one of our Field Trip Tuesday's and Trace treated us to pizzas and dessert pizzas of our choice.

After pizza it was time for cake, a 4 layer chocolate cake with chocolate icing. Cake you say death by chocolate??? Cake and ice cream were served on fine Barbie plates.

Next was presents, which Jenna could hardly wait for. Emma was eager to help and a restraining order was issued.

The Loot.

The happy birthday girl going to bed in Mommy's bed after tucking Sleepy Dreams Dora in at the foot of the bed. She's snuggled up with Bailey and Bella wearing her new Dora nightgown.

You can't see outside, but there's about 4 inches of snow. What's a girl to do with her new scooter when there's snow outside? Ride around the hard wood floors while carrying her new purse. Of course.

Jenna Turns Six!!! Part One

Six years ago today, in Xianning City, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China, my precious Jenna Meilin was born. We have a family party planned tonight but Trace wanted to go eat lunch with her today. He went to McDonalds and got her favorite Mickey D's lunch, Chicken Nuggets. And bless his heart, he stopped at the grocery store and bought her a cupcake.

Jenna's teacher makes them a crown to wear on their birthday.

Jenna with her big brother Trace. We asked her if she wanted me to come too but she ultimately decided it was a sibling date.

Jenna and her class at lunch. Trace said Jenna's classmates were quite confused as to who he might be. About five thought he was her daddy (he hears this alot, actually) and about six thought he was her uncle.

Jenna's birthday school fun has only begun, because in about an hour Mommy goes to be the Mystery Reader. More birthday fun later!

Party On

Saturday night we hosted Ryan's belated and postponed birthday party. Ryan, of course, had no idea what was going on. Our party served a dinner of Italian Beef sandwiches, roasted garlic potatoes and fruit salad. Italian for a Chinese boy. Sounds American to me.

After dinner it was time for dessert.

Julia and I decorated a cupcakes and a layer cake. Jenna and Ryan were fascinated with the cupcakes. (My dad is wiping Ryan's nose here.)

Silly me didn't think to take a picture of the cupcakes and cake before we ate most of them. Since Ryan couldn't tell us what he wanted, Julia and I decided to make monster cupcakes. The kids, of course, couldn't wait to get their hands on cup cakes loaded with candy.

Ryan wasn't sure what to think about all of us singing Happy Birthday. He seemed more entranced with the burning candle in front of him. My nephews and niece are around him-- Zach, Dillon and Caitlin. When we finished singing I told him to blow out the candle, which he did like a champ.

That's my boy! My boy likes cake and ice cream, but mostly ice cream.

Dillon hamming it up for the camera. You should see the other poses he made for me. Janne', you should be quite proud. (My SIL Janne' was on a girls weekend with her friends.)

Jenna eating ice cream. I think she ate the candies off the cup cake and that was it.

Next it was time for presents. Since Christmas wasn't that long ago, Ryan figured out pretty quickly what to do with a stack of presents. Oh yeah, and at this point Ryan isn't wearing any pants. It was a pretty wild party after all. He had a pretty messy diaper after his ice cream and I was so busy being the hostess with the mostest that I completely forgot to get him another pair of pants. One day he'll hate me for it, but I have some time to make up for it.

He and Emma love the Little People bus Emma got for Christmas so I asked my parents to get him a Little People airplane. It was a huge hit.

Kevin and his crew got Ryan this Cars fire truck. Another huge hit.

Julia got Ryan a Hi Ho Cheerio game. It was a huge hit with Julia, Jenna and the cousins. But what was Ryan doing?

Lovin' on his new Mr. Potato Head. Who can resist a personified spud?