Birthday Week (The longest blog post ever...)

Birthday Week 2010: Play by Play, Day by Day.

Wednesday, July 14: Crazy, Awesome Birthday Madness Week 2010 begins with Nanny's midday arrival. This annual event sends the kids into hyper-drive, making each and every detail of each and every happening about 300 percent more interesting/exciting/emotional. The day was a blur. Honestly. I can't remember anything we did that day prior to or post pickup. Auntie Shar came into town later that night after the kids were asleep.



Thursday, July 15: Outings. Lots of outings. Super Target was first on the list, as it is our favorite destination. At the Starbucks therein we partook in iced mochas (for the grown-ups), vanilla bean frapachinos (for the girls) and whipped cream (Bennett). Yum! I am pretty sure we went down every single aisle, some of them twice, a couple may have even warranted a third visit. The toy aisles were singing and dancing as we pried the children away. A cart full of whatnot later, we headed home for lunch. Next Sharlene and I needed a break, so we went out on our own. Back to Super Target (I told you we love that place!). Then we hit Gordmans and finally Hobby Lobby ( I am making Sharlene a Giant Kusudama Ball). Back to the house for a quick taco dinner then we whisked the girls away to the mivie theater to see Toy Story 3. We were the first ones there and very nearly the only ones (cause who sees a movie on a Thursday
at 5?) It was great and we will likely be adding it to our collection.

Friday, July 16: Decoration day! Over the last few months (okay, technically since February when they told me they wanted and Ariel Party) the kids and I have been crafting under sea decorations for the party. This was the day that we put them all up around the house. Since this was the big, joint, invite your friends party we kinda went nuts with it. Then we baked cupcakes, and I prepped the homemade pizza dough for the next nights dinner. Once the "work" was done, we played a bit and then Sharlene and I headed out for a well deserved drink.

Saturday, July 17: Playing, prepping, and last minute cleaning. PARTY TIME!!!!! Friends showed up and we colored Ariel pictures until everyone had arrived. We made oceans in empty soda bottles (lots of Dr. Pepper for me!), experienced near glitter overload, played pin the flower on Ariel (Zoe won, no one else was even close - Sydney missed the picture completely), sang a quick "Happy Birthday" scarfed down some cupcakes and tore open some presents. Everything was on super speedy mode because these children could not wait to get outside and play. They raced out the door screaming like a flock of banshees to splash in the pool and run through the sprinklers. Even fun Auntie Shar joined in. She began with chasing kiddos into the sprinklers, but was soon dragged into the pool fully clothed and dunked by a gaggle of gigglers. Eventually, one by one, they came straggling in to dry off. Play commenced indoors until bit by bit they left. Then we got to visit with Daddy online and open presents from him! Hurray! Pizza and Princess and the Frog bring this exciting day to a close.

Sunday, July 18: Sydney's 4th Birthday! Nanny prepared a wonderful suprise "Beach Party" and made our back patio into a beach, complete with sand. We built sand castles and played in to pool. Bennett Rode on his car and got sand in his little toes. We had hot dogs, fruit, and chips until the flies (that decided to take over my house and yard in the last week) sent us running for cover. Zoe lost a tooth during lunch. Daddy called to wish Syd a "Happy Birthday" we did presents and dinner then made some super fun snow cones for dessert.

Monday, July 19: I had a boatload of homework so that was my task for the day. Bummer. But Nanny, Auntie and the kids ran all over and played, cleaned up a bit, then they (minus Bennett who needed a nap) went to the local waterpark! They had a great time, and I got my work done, took down the decorations, and did some light cleaning. Shar treated us to some seven layer dip for dinner. We ate, watched a movie, and played

Tuesday, July 20: My 29th Birthday. Last year of my twenties. Yowza. The kids wished me "Happy Birthday" over and over all day long. It was super sweet. I began my day with a morning meeting at Starbucks with a Rep from the college I attend online. Next I met up with the fam at Sears for a photo shoot and to pick up some pictures I had ordered from before. Lunch at Red Robin commenced (Thank you for not making them sing to me!). Zoe made sure that I would arrive back at the house last so that they could hide and jump out to scream "Happy Birthday" when I walked in the door. Once we got home I gave the kiddos a few group gifts that I didn't want any one kid laying claim too because it was given mon their birthday. They in turn gave me some very thoughtful gifts. We played for a while then they came tromping into the living room from the kitchen with a cupcake and candle singing "Happy Birthday." It was so cool of them to try to make my day so special right in the middle of all of their birthday excitement. I have the best kids!

Wednesday, July 21: Zoe's 6th Birthday!!! Nanny orchestrated a beautiful tea party with a real tea set and tons of fabulous and very pretty food. the girls got all dressed up and inspired the grown ups to do the same. We rummaged through the dress up suitcase (the same one that just a week ago held a cat captive) and came up with some extra fancy accessories. We did an impromptu photo shoot and had tea. Then we quickly cleaned up and headed back to the warter park. This time we all got to go! It was so FUN!!!! Even Bennett had a blast (he is suddenly over his fear of the water). After we got back, showered, and started assessing the extent of our sunburns, Daddy got online again and Zoe tore open her presents then had a nice chat with her Papa. We ate "little chickens" (mini chicken wings) and potato salad, one of Zoe's favorite meals. We played until we were ready to drop. Then - we dropped!

Thursday, July 22: Today we said a sad goodbye to Nanny as we dropped her off at the airport. Auntie Sharlene gets to stay on a few more days before heading back the Texas way. As I write this the girls and Auntie are playing Disney Princess Yahtzee and Bennett is napping. I need a snack and some serious caffiene if I am going to stay awake the rest of the day. Exhaustion is setting in. This has been a whirlwind of a week, but it has been so very much fun. Tons of memories were made. I am officially calling Birthday Madness Week to a close, applying more aloe vera to my sun scorched skin, and taking my first zombielike steps into the world of raising a 6 year old, a 4 year old, and a 1 year old.