Daddy's Birthday

Last week we celebrated one of my favorite days of the year-Daddy's birthday.

I realize I should say it's my favorite day of the year because he's my husband and I love him dearly. Or because he's the father of my kids-and an amazing one at that. Or because he's my best friend who makes me laugh and holds my hand when I cry.

All true.

But, honestly?

It's my favorite day of the year because for the next month I get to claim being two years younger than him. It's like he's robbing the cradle.

This year, I left the kids in charge of Daddy's presents. Which means I took them to the Dollar Tree, gave them free reign of the store and told them to go wild.

The results were priceless. Daddy's present consisted of:

1) Work gloves-" Because Daddy works." Obviously.
2) Nacho Cheese Doritos-his favorite chips.
3) A non-working flashlight.
4) Silly string-which I suspect was more for Tyson than for Daddy.
5) A juice glass for, "Daddy's beer."
6) A 300 piece puzzle with birdhouses on it.
7) Speakers for his phone-when tested, the phone was actually louder without the speakers in.
8) Dull razors.

Let me just say, Daddy was impressed. 34 was a big year for him.

Did I mention I'm 32?

Happy Birthday to the best Daddy around!

Bike Rides

If I close my eyes, I can still remember the first time we put her on the trike. Her chubby legs dangling from the too big baby seat. Her eyes wide with interest-there was no such thing as fear for her at that age. Her red checkered jump suit with yellow straps that I had bought before I had even met her- knowing, somehow, that it would match her personality to a tee.

I remember him staring at her-a mixture of pride and excitement. Realizing that at some point she would be not only his baby sister, but his best friend. His tiny bare feet dangled then, too. His bike helmet was a little too big. He needed a push to get up the hills and walked tepidly down anything steeper than our driveway because he was afraid of going too fast.

 

 

A year passed. She donned her Minnie Mouse hat and a smile for most of our trip around the block. Her feet couldn't reach the pedals, but her hands could reach far enough to push the music button repeatedly (and annoyingly, I might add) announcing our arrival to the neighbors. Still not afraid of much she moved her tiny body back and forth in attempt to get me to go faster.   

 

He grinned at her quickly after we forced him to stop for a picture and then pedaled ahead as fast as his feet would take him. His helmet fit just right. He was no longer afraid of hills and asked for less pushes.

 

 

 

 

 

This year, we took off the baby seat. She holds herself on the bike all my "Mia-self" now. Her legs are still little and chubby. She prefers to let them dangle while we push. She wears her own bike helmet that looks just a  little too big. She smiles, but it's  a timid one. She's afraid of hills and bumps. She still loves to play the music, but quickly brings her hands back to the death grip she has on the handle bars.

 

He still smiles down at her with pride. He was a half a block ahead of us by the time we were ready to take this picture. His bike helmet is too small. So is his bike. He pedals as fast as he can down the hills and waits for us impatiently at each corner. We have to remind him to stay close.  

 

 



 

 

Someday, all too soon, they will climb onto their Mountain bikes. I will watch their long muscular legs carry them away from me and wonder how time could pass so quickly. They won't need a push and they probably won't wear their helmets. I will miss the annoying music that accompanied my walks around the block. I will miss chubby legs and smiling faces waiting impatiently for me.

 

I will miss our bike rides around the block.



Spring Break 2014

We spent Spring Break 2014 in Des Moines, IA.

If that wasn't enough to make you jealous, I'm certain you'll be green with envy (or just plain green) when I tell you that both kids puked during our two day stay. Also, Dan tested positive for strep the night before left AND we were welcomed to the state of Iowa by way of a speeding ticket.

In true spring break form, however, we puked and rallied. Turns out, Des Moines, IA is a pretty epic spring break destination for toddlers and their parents.

For starters, it was 65 and sunny there. 65!

We witnessed the anomaly for all of two minutes before Tyson stated that it was actually warmer in the water park.

Apparently 65 and sunny cannot compete with 80, humid, and slides.

Oh, the slides! Tyson and Mila spent half of our 48 hour stay throwing their bodies down as many pirate ship slides as they could manage.

Tyson also ingested half of the pool water at the bottom of each slide. We saw all of that pool water (and his lunch) again later.

Why, yes, that is the ice bucket converted into a puke bucket. Why, yes, this is our second round at puking in a water park hotel room. Why, yes, I do consider myself an expert at managing puke in a hotel room. (Said no one else ever.)

Did I mention he rallied?

Despite the extra loads of laundry and $100 speeding ticket expense, we are actually already planning our next trip back to Des Moines. We're a glutton for punishment, I tell ya.

A Birthday Party Fit for a Princess

Me: "Mimi, what kind of birthday party do you want to have?"
Mimi: "Cake."
Me: "But what kind of birthday, honey? What kind of cake?"
Mimi: "CAKE!"

Rinse and repeat for at least ten conversations. Girlfriend likes her cake.

We settled on a Princess party. I realize I'll likely be throwing a similar themed party for the next eight years of my life, but it's ok. I kinda like Princesses.

Especially this one:

 

Thanks to Pinterest, I spent way too much time crafting up a Princess storm.

Thanks to my husband, we sent each and every kid home with an intense sugar high. For the record, candy buffets, piñatas and toddlers don't mix well.

 

Thanks to our friends and family, this little girl had one amazing day.

 

And lots and lots of cake.