Birthdays- it's a Wrap (mostly)!

Well, we survived the July celebrations!  Kaden had a blast on his big day.  We had out of town company, 2 sets, one family and one-like-family, visit that week, so it made for quite a big party!  My exhaustion and lack of planning kept things pretty simple.

I just noticed the baby in the pic above, checking out the ice cream :)  Also note the great cake. The funny thing is that Kaden told JimDad and I that he didn't want any cake, just a 'big ice cream sundae in a fancy cup'.   Then when Grandma asked him, did he want her to make him a cake?  He said, "yes please" and went on to describe it...

Also, the red marks on his cheek/arm aren't wounds- just flash tattoos.

Here's some pics of our visiting friends.  Only two photos, but they capture the crazy fun pretty well, I think.

There's no photos from Jim's fortieth day, but I think it was pretty good.  He and I got out in the am for a nice walk through the woods at a local park, then a VBS program, lunch with the parentals, and he headed off to golf.  Kaden and I had a lot of small surprises for him, but no big gift.

We're not really in a position to celebrate properly, so instead we hatched a great plan:  40-2-40 !

We've got about 15 months until I turn forty, so Jim and I decided to stretch out both our celebrations in the year between.  We're coming up with 40 different ways to celebrate, big and small.  Almost like a mid-life bucket list.  If we're lucky, we'll come up with the cash to do some of them (white water rafting!) and if not, we'll still have some creative things to remember (state park trips!).  

Birthday Blues

July is a busy place around here.  We've made it through America's bday, and Nana's bday - though it probably wasn't the best day she had, since we were on the road for 11 hours and 2 people were sick.  Next up- the boys (bdays, not sickness).

The entire 23 person crew!

Kaden has been trying to claim his birthday since the day after Nana's.  We keep putting him off, and then this week I realized his actual day is next week- and I had nothing.  Nothing.  Well, besides a full ideas board on Pinterest, but we know how often that translates to reality (I think the precise ratio is 78 pin ideas = 1 real life activity).  Then tonight, I realized we have 6 days, or maybe 5 depending on when we celebrate, but I work 3 of those days, and family's coming into town, and... well.  It was time to plan over dinner.

Kaden working up the courage to jump!

And what does the boy have his heart on?  A pinata.  Like last year.  Last year, dear friends, I planned ahead by about 2 months, and Uncle Steve spent *weeks* creating two themed pinatas.  (And after a quick search, I realized that I never posted about EITHER of his birthday parties last year.  Sigh. Luckily, Google keeps my photos accessible!

First, take a look at "The Black Bamboo."  Steve looked up plans for a model of the ship Black Pearl from the newer Pirates of the Caribbean movie.  Then, using his CAD skillz, tweaked the scale and print out actual blueprints... then with his fiance, constructed this beauty out of cardboard and bamboo and sisal.

And mailed it to us in FL, where we had a fun filled Pirate Party, that included a treasure hunt where kids found their goodie bags, a 'walk the plank' game that involved water guns, an amazingly cute Publix cake, and the pinata of course!  It was so fun, for the kids and the parents and the teens who came to help!

Then we traveled to PA, for a superhero party. It involved homemade costumes, and pin-the-mask-on-the-superhero, and a SECOND pinata that Uncle Steve made and mailed to PA.

So at dinner tonite, when I told Kaden that this year's party would be more low key, he asked if he could please just have a pinata.  "I think I can do that, buddy, but it won't be as good as Uncle Steve's."  He was okay with that... "but you can make it a Robin superhero pinata, right"  Um, no.

Part  of the issue is that he has requested a "lego batman and robin" party- but the lego b&r stuff is super expensive.  ALSO not very popular, like Superman (on clearance at Target!).  Off to Pinterest I went. There are a lot of cool examples, but I have two problems... 1) no time and 2) I don't want to encourage kids to bash in a cute head like this:



or to beat up on a superhero, like this:

 .  And then there was a nifty TNT version, but I don't want to glorify bombs, either!  I know, I'm making this too complicated.  Yes, I know Target sells Pinatas for $12 or so.  But that *almost* feels like cheating to me.  But if you see me in the store the night before the party, you'll know.

In the meantime, JimDad turns 40 at the end of this month, and I got no ideas for that either.  Birthday blues, indeed.

Heavenly Birthday (not the kind you're thinking of)

Let me start by saying that trying to sneak something past airport security is never a good idea.

You know that.  I know that too, but this morning I somehow thought no one would notice the double boxed cremains of my brother next to an 1800 bottle and hard hat in my carry on luggage.  It wasn't a good plan, but I really didn't think I could explain without crying.   Thankfully, I came to my senses about 90 seconds before sending our stuff down the line.  I caught the attention of a security woman and managed to whisper something about a box, while vaguely waving a certificate toward my suitcase.  The delay, of course, caused a bit of attention I was trying to avoid.  Awkward start to our travels north, eh?

The whole day was a bit awkward and rough.  Instead of celebrating my brother's 50th birthday, I was escorting "him" to Pennsylvania.  It's the first time I've been home in about a month, since we first got the news of his car accident.  There was a week of whirlwind travels and planning and mourning with others.  Then a few weeks where we drifted around Florida visiting friends.  So my house feels... awkward.  There's a huge pile of mail to attend to, as well as figuring out some Louisiana law, and we need to resume settling in here.  But I'm tired and grumpy and sad.  So it can all wait until tomorrow.

What I want to share tonight, though, is two conversations with my 4 yr old.  He's at that age where he understands some things, but things being permanent is still a bit fluid...  

Conversation a few weeks ago:

Kaden: Where are we again?
Me:  Louisiana.

Kaden:  Oh, right.  Where Uncle Steve lives.

Me:  He used to live here, hunny, but he died, remember?

Kaden:  Right, he used to live in Louisiana, but now he lives up in heaven.

Me:  Well, we don't know where heaven is exactly, but wherever it is, that's where Uncle Steve is.

Kaden:  *I know* where heaven is.

Me:  really?  Where?

Kaden:  It's in our hearts.

****

Conversation this morning:

Kaden - Nana, why are you crying? is it because we're leaving?

Nana - Well, a little bit. But mostly because it's Uncle Steve's birthday today.

Kaden - That's right, and he's in heaven.  Well, you could always ask God to tell him that you said happy birthday.

Nana - yes, and I am going to let a birthday balloon go up in the sky later on.

Kaden - That's great, Nana, God will reach down and give it to Uncle Steve.

***

He keeps us honest, that boy.  Happy Birthday, Uncle Steve.  We miss and love you!

Birthday season

I'm not sure if I've mentioned how July is full o' birthdays around here.  The country on the 4th, followed by Nana, followed by the little prince, and then- finally in his words- Jimdad's rolls around.  We were on vacation at the beach, but I forgot the camera.  Suffice to say that waves and finding shark's teeth made for a great celebration.  And then... we hit the road.

All the way, straight through, to Baltimore (!) to see a friend.  We haven't done a long road trip in about 2 years, and not a drive-straight trip in over 5... so it was almost like our younger carefree days.  With a bundle of joy strapped in with us, of course.  And then, after visiting our friend and CONTINUING to drive into PA, we had a great suprise for jim's folks, who didn't know we were coming.

And you know what we did the very next day?  Hopped into the car for a 3.5 drive to see the Steelers in their training camp.  Yes, that was related to Jim's bday- a very spread out and lowkey celebration this year.  But I've always wanted to take him, so ...

The rest of our days were filled with:  a much-too-quick video call to a special nephew who celebrated his bday, a suprise (again) birthday dinner for Pop (70 years young), and lots and lots of cousin play and fun.  And a lil' arguing (no suprise with 3 kids under 4).   How's YOUR summer going?

Happy Birthday, K-man!

What a weekend!  First, we saw a fire truck parked outside Publix.  So we snapped a pic.



Then, we saw firefighters inside, and they invited us back to the station.  We brought them chocolate cake, and got a grand tour.

 Then, this morning we had a party at our place.

And, of course there was the cake.  I forgot to snap a photo of the way cool #3 sparkler candle, or of the truck and fireman decorations before the kids grabbed 'em, but here's the base.

One of his presents was a nifty costume/uniform.

And what's a fireman without his truck?!

Signs of a Good Day

For at least a few years, I've tried to scale back on my own bday celebration expectations. Birthdays were always a big deal in my family, and I've tried to pass that along and keep the tradition alive... but you know how sometime, when you're the one that usually does something, the favor is never quite returned the way you expect?

The key word in that is: expect. It's our expectations that set us up for so much disappointment. We think we should do this, or be that... or worse, we think THEY should... I've been disappointed with the random minuteness of my everyday life a bit too much. Maybe it's the vestiges of that fall funk. Whatever the case, my bday loomed on the horizon and I gave strong, ah, suggestions to my family: no big deals. No party, no candles, no whatever.

Lately, we've been doing a little "strength-finding" thing at work and it turns out that 3 of my top 5 talents deal with thinking or learning... both requiring time along and focus on something (as opposed to someONE). It was a great reminder of how I can often focus on the idea or goal and not even consider the person involved... or his/her feelings. Hence the bday expectation-disappointment cycle.

Now, I need to tell you that my family is pretty darn cool. Their love for me spills out in all sorts of ways, even after I sometimes take that for granted (so sorry 'bout that). They TRY to meet my expectations, even when they are unreasonable, unfair or full of perfectionism.

But this year, the reason behind the no-big-deal edict was so simple: I'm tired. My job requires a bit of friendliness and open-ness almost all the time, and I don't know if you've noticed, but we've a toddler in the house who has been going through an "all-mama-all-the-time" phase. I think those personality/strength/talent discussions helped me realize this before I got too cranky. So really, I just wanted a break from having to go places and do things and be hospitality and make the plans.

That was exactly what I got. And you know what? It was a pretty awesome day. Multiple phone calls from far-away friends AND family, good coffee, a decent book, thoughtful gifties, flowers, gift cards for later, a very nice homemade meal, some decorations, some time outside in gorgeous weather...

does it get any better than this?

So, for all of you who took time out to make this day awesome...

Thank you.

How to Snap out of a Fall Funk

Take a cruise. To the Caribbean.

With a bunch o' family & friends.

See? We're totally unfunkified!

Happy Birthday JimDad!

Cards I could've bought for him today:

Don't worry about birthdays aging you.... it's being a father that does it!
***

Front: Picture of Superman flying and a guy in tshirt/jeans cleaning dishes
Inside: Not all heros wear tights.
***


Front: photo of couple under the covers, baby crying.
he says" i'll give you $100 to take this one". She says "make it $200 and a foot rub."
Inside: happy birthday to my partner in life, love, and never before seen levels of tiredness.


True story: Way back, when we had only know each other for about 60 days, and with less than 6 hours notice... Jim woke up at 3am to drive me to an airport an hour away, and he didn't even know why I was going.


True story: Today, around 7:30 am, I said to Jim: Good morning, happy birthday!
Kaden jumps up and says "I eat birthday cake now"

Happy Birthday to my favorite husband :)

May your day be peaceful, joyful, and full of love and laughter...

Vast Voyage

We're about 2 days out in the deep, deep ocean this week... sailing a High Sea Expedition to explore God's Word... that's right, it's summertime Vacation Bible School. That alone would be worth about 20 posts, one third rants and 2/3 great fun.

We're also about 3 days back from a great family vacation in the semi-wild, to celebrate my mom's 70th birthday (!), which WILL be worth at least one good post.

But we're also a mere 4 days away from my babe turning 2. TWO! Did you blink? Did you miss those 730 days? Because, and this isn't the exhaustion talking, but wasn't I just pregnant? Should I not be wearing maternity bras anymore? What happened to this sweet soul:

Tonight seems like an awful time to write, since it's crammed between VBS, missed deadlines, work backlog from vacation, and birthday preparation thoughts (present? where can I get a natural, fair trade present that he will love... by Saturday? when can I even get out to look?).

But tonight is also the perfect time to write, as it seems that this is (more or less) what motherhood is. Snatching moments of reflection or perfection when they present themselves, no matter what my plan was.

Besides, isn't this where I want Kaden to grow up?

Right between family and nature, friends and God?

And working with the same group of families for the past 4 or 5 years has let me see some of those boys growing up. I am acutely aware, when I see males of any age, that my future will involve some version of "him", however sweet or maddening he is. Someone mentioned that Kaden would "graduate" to the pre-K group next summer, and I was shocked. Then I looked at the adorable little boys, ones I remember being babes, and their joy at learning the story or the song. I can see my son playing on the preK deck next year.

And in the elementary group, I see boys I knew as preschoolers not so long ago. I watch them help younger kids along and run wild down the hall. It's a bit harder to imagine, but it's conceivable that my boy will be one of them someday.

And the ones I met as boys? Who are now entering high school and show up groggy with tousled hair? The ones who have sweet smiles but don't readily show them? The ones who are all heart and muscle and think no one sees just how wonderful they are? the ones who stay in the background and the ones who goof off up front? It's truly impossible for me to imagine my babe becoming... a teen. Or, after that, a man.

I know he will. He is already on the path, just as surely as he finished off 4 servings of green beans tonight. As surely as he's learning the patterns of our favorite phrases, and growing into the next size of shoes. Everyone says to savor these innocent days...

and for once, I think everyone is right.

Happy Birthday to our favorite firstborn boy... may you have many more years of joy, may you grow in wisdom and strength, and may we always be connected by Love.

a friend's birthday

A birthday party in the park! Do weekends get any better than this?

Hey, are you driving this or am I?

Da, catch me if you can!

Why does Jim look more scared than Kaden?

I feel compelled to tell you that our little boy is also a little adventurer.

He has figured out how to climb.

You can see why we have more gray hairs now.

Happy First Birthday!!

We're in PA on Kaden's actual birthday, which called for birthday pancakes. My Dad used to make these- I think for sleepovers and other special days. A first birthday qualifies :)

Big guy now!

He really DOES like pancakes!

The end of a three hour birthday nap (hurray)!

Of course, the good effects were probably cancelled out by the 10:30pm bedtime.

But hey, there's only ONE first birthday

-even when we spend 2 wks celebrating-

and we haven't had a meltdown.

yet.

Can it be ONE YEAR already?

Seriously, was it a year ago that Jim was on a mission trip and I was in labor?
A year ago that we looked longingly down at a Very Small bundle of Boy Joy?


And now -- a year later--- this is our bundle of joy:

A moving, grooving football star.

Who screeches more often than we like, but those smiles make up for it!

Technically, it's not a year until Friday. But we're traveling and all, and I might be spending all my online time on the FB farm instead of blogging. It is summer, after all.

HEY! If you're not making it to one of his birthday parties, will you PLEASE email me a photo of you & yours wishing him a happy first bday? This week? Thanks, you are the BEST relatives ;)

Eleven Months Old- a time for peace!

So! Today is June 17th... Kaden is 11 months old today!

And you can see what an inexperienced mom I am? Last month I was all about how hard it was to take a photo of a moving baby...
and then THIS month he was SO COOPERATIVE... letting me take as many photos as I wanted. (sigh) Pure innocence, this kid.

Notice the new jammies. He grew out of most of his footie ones, and we realized that it's summer.

In Florida.

Perhaps nightwear that covers up 99% of the body isn't appropriate.

Which led to these adorable ones.

SuperPup!


I'd show you my favorites, the new dino ones, but he already "initiated" them last night.

On a completely different note, today is also the one year anniversary of Grandma Fry's death. Please remember her and all the family in your prayers. Thank you!

Adventures Beyond 22 Inches

We've had a busy week, Kaden and his keepers. First was the passport application... which had to be done "in person." Further proof our boy is a prince? He was allowed to sleep through the entire interview whilst BOTH parents had to answer!

The 2 funniest things were his actual passport photo (which I forgot to copy for your viewing pleasure)... and the answers on the application form. Quite a few times I had to ask: "Um, what should I write here?" For example: occupation. (Child, she answers and then chuckles. Though they should be able to figure that out from his photo.) Height? (Whatever he was at your last doctor visit, she says. Even though he'll obviously grow by the time you use this.) I look blankly at Jim-- we had brought a plethora of papers with us, but not the well visit forms. "22 inches" Jimdad says authoritatively. (Later, he confesses he made it up. Actual current height- 28 inches.)

I felt like I was making things up, too. Hair color? Written answer- brown. Actual answer: light brown on most days, but sometimes a little lighter. Eye color? written answer- hazel. Actual answer: depends on what he's wearing and how the light hits them. THIS is his security and ID document for the next 10 years???

If you've been keeping track, the babe is TEN months as of last Sunday. I've realized that Baby Einstein videos will slow the move-at-all-times tendency. That doesn't make for straight on smiles, though. But if I take 22 pictures, eventually he comes through!

He's also making good use of those 22 or 28 inches. I'm guessing he can stretch 'em out to, oh, maybe 40 inches or so? At least that's what it seems like as we continue to babyproof higher off the ground!

And while I haven't gotten any good photos of it, quite a few times this week he's been STANDING all by himself! It's for maybe 3- 12 seconds, but still. As the week's gone on, it's happening more and more often. Today at a friend's house, he used their kiddie picnic table as his own personal jungle gym-- climbing up, sitting down (the correct way!), standing on the bench, standing on the table, climbing under, getting stuck under... all with me close by, of course, but man. That kid likes to explore!

Happy Birthday Friends!

Did you know that this week is my Uncle's birthday? I'd like to give him a proper shout out, since he is the coolest uncle around. Even if he does live in NY. Even though it's not too often, we've had some great vacation times together: sometimes at his house, which was a vacation for me, not him. But even if he was working, he found time to save me from being drowned in the pool by my boy cousin (not that we're naming names, RUSS). When I was in high school, we headed to Puerto Rico- and he translated almost everything for me and Kerri, except that one time in that mountaintop diner when that lady got arrested for "a disagreement" but now looking back it was probably, ah, solicitation. Or maybe not, my spanish isn't that great you know, and he's always looking out for us.

And then there was that one time we celebrated his 60th birthday in the mountains of Tennessee... where he officially became my mom's older brother, because everyone knows she's only 58. And some sad get togethers too, like my nana's funeral up in NY or when he came to visit us after dad died. So you know, for living so far away, we still have some pretty cool memories... mostly because Uncle Bob is a pretty cool guy, and an awesome uncle. I'm lucky to be related and if you're not, I hope you have someone like him in your family too :) HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!

But of course, we can't mention him without also embarrassing Aunt Jeanne. Who also lives far, far away and wishes she could see and hold and spoil Kaden up close. I know this because she emails me after every post, reassuring me of the Babe's cuteness and helpfully pointing out parenting errors. Like mentioning a sister in law, for example, instead of a blood aunt. So here's to you, Aunt Jeanne, faithful reader and wife of the birthday boy. Enjoy "your" pics!

Now, how do I get out of this thing again?

Kaden, meet.... Kaden.

Happy Birthday, Nickers! You're too cute!

Happy Birthday, Lexi! You're also so cute, it's like you're twins!

Birthday friends with Kaden.

Note to self: photographing multiple children under 2 is not a good career choice.

Happy Birthday to Nick, Lexi, Kerri, Russ and Uncle Bob!!

(all within 7 days of each other)