The Birthdays

I get to the end of June and I can never figure out what happened to April and May...and the beginning of June for that matter. It seems like my birthday was ages ago and in fact, it was only a month and a half ago. And now here we are and it's already been a week and a half since the girls' birthdays.

The Little Goat and Squawky both seemed to enjoy their day. We had "special birthday pancakes" for breakfast. Squawky got a number 1 and the LG got a number 3. By the time she finished it and asked for another special birthday pancake, I was finished making them all, so she ended up eating both a 'balloon' and a 'moon'. (I was all ready with 'ball' and 'polka dot'...)

After breakfast a friend called and invited us to the beach so we got all packed up and away we went. The LG has never been a fan of the beach. She doesn't love sand and doesn't like swimming either. I had to carry her over the sand the first time and she responded with a howl when I dipped her feet in the water. Fortified by lunch, however, she was ready to go play in the sand and she and her little friend actually played nicely together and found common purpose in destroying the sandy lobster molds we made. It was fun to watch them. And because our daughters daily like to confound us and reinforce that they are two very different girls, Squawky LOVED the water! She stood up in the water and started kicking her feet and splashing. When I think about it, I'm not really sure why I'm surprised.

The rest of the day was rounded out with naps, birthday supper (grilled cheese with a side of...cheese) and a trip for ice cream which Squawky refuses to try (I'm guessing because it's cold), and of course presents. So here you are, the day in pictures (ignore the dates on the pictures; I think the camera clock is wrong).

Oh...and a funny story!
The friend we went to the beach with has boys and the oldest was getting dried off and changing from swim trunks to shorts. Three-year-olds aren't necessarily noted for their modesty and the Little Goat got a pretty good glimpse of a certain little body part.
LG: Mom, what's THAT funny thing?
Me: That's part of what makes M a boy.
M (to his Mom): Mom, what's so funny? What are you guys laughing at?

And shortly after they all left:
LG: Mom, M has a finger on his bum.
Me: It's not a finger, dear, it's a special boy part.

I should tell you that the last time we went to the beach together, we made sure to hold up towels around the kids.

Playing - together! - after Birthday Breakfast.

Practicing to be a vigilant lifeguard?

Beautiful, even when she's just playing.

By the time we walked home from the beach...

Enjoying birthday ice cream.

Almost ready for the end of the day.

1, 3

Many days still go by when I cannot believe I'm actually a mother - and also many days when I think maybe I shouldn't be. Kids' birthdays are good for many things but not the least of which is to remind us that we've actually survived motherhood (or fatherhood) for another year!

Tonight, at 10:02, LJ and I will celebrate the technical beginning of parenting the Little Goat which began in 2007. Twenty minutes later, we'll celebrate the technical beginning of parenting Squawky, which began a mere 12 months ago, even though it seems like she's been around a lot longer.

In celebrating parenthood, we are so grateful for God's grace. for His gift of these two fantastic, beautiful girls. We love you two - and we wouldn't trade you for anyone! Happy birthday, Little Goat! Happy birthday, Squawky!

A Conversation

Me: So, Little Goat, do you still like your special little bed?
LG: Yes. I would like it to move back to Mom & Dad's big room. Mom & Dad would like to share a room with me.
Me: No. Mom & Dad don't want to share a room with anyone.
LG: Are we taking my special little bed to Nana & Papa's?
Me: I don't think it will fit on the airplane! It's too big!
LG: We can put it in the airplane.
Me: No, Dear, it won't fit.
LG: We can put it in the airplane and we can dribe the airplane to Nana & Papa's house!

Summary

So my birthday this year was fantastic! LJ actually planned a birthday party for me (in three days!) and even though it rained, everybody had a good time - LJ even came home early from work so he could help get everything ready and cook.

Next up was Mother's Day. We were rushed getting in to The Big City, but it turned out we really weren't on that tight a schedule. As we were driving through the city, we were passing through a familiar neighbourhood; I've known quite a few people who've lived there. Then we got to 'M' Street and everything fell into place: "HEY! Lindsay lives on 'M' Street! We're going to Lindsay's house! Does that mean we get to leave the children and go on a date?!"

Well, no, not exactly. [And as a sidebar here, let me give you a word of warning that getting a little too excited about the prospect of dropping your kids off somewhere is maybe not the best idea if you want to keep them from FREAKING OUT.] LJ had been planning this surprise for no less than THREE weeks! We got to Lindsay's, fed, watered, and bathroomed the kids, and then LJ gave me some money and said 'have fun!' He took the kids to the zoo (well, the gift shop anyway because the zoo was about to close) and Lindsay and I went shopping. Then we met back up with LJ, the kids, and Lindsay's boyfriend for supper. Seriously, it ranks right up there as one of the best 'surprises' ever. I have no idea how LJ will ever top all this celebrating next year.

Oh, and as the icing on the cake of all this celebrating, I ended up with not one, but three new CDs: for our anniversary, I got a Simon & Garfunkel greatest hits CD (in lieu of some very expensive tickets to the concert in The Big City), for my birthday, the new Starfield album (Have you heard them? They're really good! They love Jesus and the lead singer was a lunch-buddy of mine in college...and he's a HUGE U2 fan.), and for Mother's Day, the new Swell Season record (kind of folksy and well...swell).

LJ also had his appointment with the glaucoma specialist in The Big City which was a debacle all its own. And when I am better able to laugh about it, I will tell you the story.

We spent May Long Weekend in my hometown with my parents, played a round of golf on possibly the coldest May day in my recent memory, watched the series finale of Lost (and boy, am I glad I didn't waste six tv 'seasons' of my life on THAT), and concluded the weekend with a drive home I hope to NEVER repeat. EVER. (I'm not laughing about that one yet either.)

Last weekend, my parents came out here and we celebrated my Dad's birthday. Next up is the girls' birthdays on the 16th. So soon! The Hello Kitty invites will be 'in the mail' this week. *gasp*