The Best Birthday Party an Eight Year Old Could Have . . .

I cannot possibly refrain from blogging my wonderful niece Kate's birthday party.  Before I begin, it was worth every second of the six hour journey - truly!  For one moment, I wish I was a published, successful author so that I could give adequate words to the images I still see in my memory.  I truly wish I could transport anyone reading this to the actual party so that you can experience it for yourself.  I wish I could describe the emotions I saw flit across my sister's face.

My sister, one of the most organized individuals on the planet, decides to throw an eighth birthday party for my niece and 18 of her classmates!  Kudos for not loosing anyone at the park and for not needing a first aid kit.  Although the one accident prone child may have needed medical attention if the party continued for 30 more minutes.  When my sister had to pry this particular child from the top of the climbing wall - I couldn't help the smile on my face.  My sister showed no signs of disbelief other than that slight shake of her head as if a bug is near.

I had the very best job of taking pictures so I literally had to stand around and take it all in.  Kate looked like she was having the time of her life.  Truly if any of our kids try to tell us that they didn't feel loved growing up I may club them with a happy stick.  Seriously.  As I write this now, so many miles away I'm still thrilled with the experience.  But I think this may be one of those times that you really did need to be there.

I leave with this thought/memory (it may be a while before I blog again my computer has a virus - how in the world do I get so many of them when I rarely look at anything other than Gap, Barnes and Noble and Vera Bradley???) It is always the same at every birthday party.  All the kids want to literally sit on top of the birthday person so they can see the loot.  My sister told the kids there had to be a system.  The system would be (even though some brave child thought he was going to fight with her!) Katie would open each gift according to the giver's first letter of their first name.  No A's present.  All the Bs came forward.  Jody greeted each child and I couldn't help but notice the little boy off to the side that she didn't see.  So of course being the great sister I am, I pointed out his presence.  You could see the wheels turning in my sister's head, why was this boy up there?  The system didn't apply to him yet.  She encourages him to sit back down and she looks up for just an instant.  I'm not sure if she was talking to God or just checking to see if anyone else noticed the chaos and the boy's ability to misunderstand the alphabet.  She caught my eye and grinned.  Ahh, the contained frustration made my day, definitely my week and quite possibly my whole month.  Yes, pics of Kate's party will definitely make the family calendar this year.  Two of my favorites are below:

Kate charged my camera.  She has always been a good sport about pictures!  She and her 18 friends(have I said that number enough?) were throwing leaves at each other.  Hint - it's all fun and games until someone gets a stick in their eye.

Look at Kate's smile, so pleased to be surrounded.  Look at Jody's.  Is she thinking how many more minutes left at this party?  Is she thinking she missed the boat by not being an elementary school teacher?  Is she just maybe realizing I'm in the back laughing at her?

At the time and maybe several hours later, she might have asked herself why she would plan such a party.  I know the answer.  My mom threw me a surprise birthday party once.  There hasn't been a birthday party to top it yet.

Coming of Age for Story Time!

One of the first things I did when we moved was to find the library.  Little secret of mine, I desperately want to be a librarian.  The smell of books, new or old is heaven for me.  I remember one Christmas when I was 10 or 11 (?) my parents wrapped up a huge box of books for me.  It was so exciting to see all of those unopened covers.  So, yes I am a book worm and happy to talk about it.  A side note - of my sister not letting me read books on the bus in seventh grade will come at a later date.  So we moved, I found the library, took forever to become a legal citizen of Virginia, as a result library card!!!  The library, a beloved institution for me, drives my children a little wild.  The doors slide open, the quiet envelopes and my children erupt.  Doesn't matter which library, which state - I'm hoping it's excitement due to prospective learning.  That little bit was in case Curt actually reads this.  So after becoming library legal I discover tada - STORY TIME FOR TODDLERS!  How great is this?  Something to do in the morning before lunch with other book-loving kids!  Much to my dismay while reading this pamphlet my children explode into tears and hyperactivity.  The kind librarian points out that Sab is too old and Mia according to the new acquired library information is not old enough.  So we wait.  Wednesday was the big day!


This is what I learned as I watched Mia in my heaven for 60 minutes:


She likes to arrange library furniture.  Yet when participation is required she magically says or does the right action?!?  When they say jump, oh she does with all of her might, maybe a little too much?  She's laughing though.


When a stimulus such as musical instruments is introduced she is all for it.  Shakes the maracas like nobodies business!  But . . .Rapid stimulus introduction followed by a quick conclusion, doesn't work!


A stamp on the hand at the end, not necessary for her.  She did seem to sense this might be the end and emphatically repeated, DONE, DONE, DONE?


Will I try again?  Yes, absolutely.  Why would I do this?  Because - Sebastian just read his very first book to me all by himself!!!  Loved, loved, loved every minute of his skinny little finger pointing out each word and his mouth trying to make all the sounds of the combined letters.  I can wait for you Mia.  I've got all the time in the world.

I missed taking any pics during story time because I wasn't sure what could possibly happen.  This was taken today at the playground near our house.  Angels right?!?!

Pumpkin Patch Pickin

Mia's legs are so short.  She runs vertically and accomplishes little distance.  She was so excited to be in the patch and see the moooo cows.

She chooses not one but two pumpkins.  Too heavy and big reminder from daddy we are paying by the pound!

Now she's thinking!  Hugs her little pumpkin and licks it of course.

Happy as a clam with her little Mia size pumpkin. 

SOCCER MOM!

I want it all!  The soccer decal for the car, apparel with my child's photo, a dirty but loved travel mug and possibly a bull horn!  I find myself at Sab's games unable to control myself, my mouth, my need to jump up and down - it's a bad scene with Lifetime Movie written all over it.  I feel Curt shrinking in his snazzy fold up chair and Mia looking at me with wide eye wonderment.  Something about seeing the boy who stayed in my belly literally 41 weeks, kick a goal, and look at me with those big blue similar eyes, holding up a thumbs up, just kills me.  Is he headed for soccer stardom - who knows but I can't possibly be more proud of him.  I reminded him all day long much to his disguised delight and our "tablemates" chuckled at Sab's dismay and his PROUD SOCCER MOM!!  Today was a good day in my world.

*Note text color is in honor of our team color!!!!