Birthday Success

It is official. Emma has had her first big kid party. And we all survived.

Since the festivities started on her actual birthday, we'll start there.

She awoke to some presents waiting for her on the kitchen table. After opening them, we dined on a yummy breakfast of eggs & sausage - the birthday request. Off to school she went with her 'cupcake cake' to share with her friends at snack time. I left work early to pick up balloons - two of which popped before I even got home - and the cake. Oh Coldstone, how I love you!

The rest of the week was full of phone calls, confirmations and preparations for Saturday - the big day. By Friday night, we had 18 kids confirmed to join us at Chuck E. Cheese. I realized we were crazy.

 All and all, it went really well. The kids started filtering in right around noon. After several had showed up we handed out their tokens and released them into the wild. I stood back in the designated 'party area' to greet other parents and dish out more tokens. The kids had about 45 minutes to play before pizza arrived. During pizza, there was a 'show' with Chuck and friends. Tokens were earned, tickets were tossed in the air, and a birthday medal was bestowed upon the birthday children (five other parties at the same time - those people are freakin nuts).

More cupcake cake with ice cream was had. More play time followed. And then they all left. And I didn't have to clean up. Had to pay, though. Guess that's part of the trade off.

Everyone had fun. Emma took her presents home to open and revealed quite the take - lots of books, gift cards for books. We spent the remainder of the day with some friends from the party. Relaxing. Enjoying dinner and a movie. Falling asleep on Olivia's floor at 8:30 - well, that was just me.

It was a jam packed day. Slept like babies that night. I have to say that having a kids party was a lot of fun. It turned out a lot bigger than I thought it was going to be but it was totally worth it. The kids happiness proved it.

 

Even the big kids...

The 6th Birthday

'Mommy, guess what Tuesday is?'

That's what I've heard over and over from Emma. With her birthday falling on Tuesday (today) I figured that's what she was anticipating.

Nope.

First day of fall. What could be better than that?

It just so happens that her birthday is on the first day of fall. Always will be. Unless the powers that be decide to shift the schedules of seasons. Who knows. They just might get bored one day and do it. Just because they can.

Anyhow, Emma woke up this morning and was thrilled that it was fall. I don't think she cared that it was her birthday. Until she saw presents, that is.

She had a bit of a rough patch at school, though, that could not be smoothed over by the cupcake cake she brought to class today. Apparently, when the teacher says no talking in line, she means no talking in line. Not even whispering. To answer a question.

No love lost. Just a little bit of second recess stripped away. Thank goodness because her legs were tired and she needed a break anyways.

No lesson learned there.

Seems like year six is keeping pace with year five just fine.

The Six-Year Old Bash

With Em's 6th birthday fast approaching, we are in the process of preparing for her first 'kid party'. This year's festivities will naturally be held at Chuck E. Cheese. Where else would parents want to spend two hours on a Saturday?

After much debate over invitations - I wanted to order some that were already filled out so that I wouldn't have to spend forever penning the same information over and over again until my hand fell off.

Common sense prevailed. Why spend the extra money on something you can do yourself? I'm currently not speaking to my common sense until it apologizes. 

It just doesn't understand how much I hate writing those things out. I feel compelled to write as nicely as I can so as to not appear that I let Em write out her own. Oh, but next year, she will. I won't care what people think of our invitations. Let her write them. Anal Annie will take the day off and go shopping whilst Em can waste a couple of hours taking care of her own invitations. After all, isn't it enough that we are providing her with a party and all that goes with it?

Besides, she is going to make out like a bandit on cakes this year. One 'cupcake cake' will arrive with her at school on the blessed day. One will greet her when she comes home from school on the blessed day. Another will accompany us to Chuck's. And, if she's super lucky, there may be yet another friggin' cake at the Farm.

Seriously, I didn't think it was possible to OD on cake. But it just might happen come next weekend.

Then, of course, there is the guest list. Em's approach seems to be like an award show. It's an honor to be nominated/invited, but if I don't win/go, it's still an honor. She has a few friends that she would definitely like to have come, and any additional attendees will be icing on the cake. One of them at least.

Can't wait to see how this all turns out. At least I still have a little over a week to wait. I can barely stand my excitement.

First Day Success

We have survived our first days of first grade and daycare. Even after my attempt at serving chocolate chip pancakes fizzled - stupid better for you breakfasts that sound so yummy and turn out crappy even though you meant well.

I can trust what Em says about how great everything is. Well, to a certain extent. The child throws around the phrases 'that's my favorite!' and 'that was so good' like a celebrity endorsing some asinine product. I can, however, believe that she enjoyed most of her day and that lunch was certainly a high point. The lovely inconsistent constantly evolving and ever-freakin' annoying MI weather cancelled out recess today - go figure.

Olivia managed to survive her first dip back into the daycare pool. I didn't receive any phone calls from the church requesting my immediate presence to remove my child, so I will certainly consider today a success. Since she has the ability to go from sweet to deranged in approximately .25 seconds, the people there have no idea how lucky they are. She has spared them. For now.

When I asked her if she enjoyed her day at school she replied 'no - want mommy'.

I'm still needed.

Too Quiet

Girls are gone to school & daycare.

Jason has left for work.

Here I sit. In the silence. Dogs barking occasionally. Dishwasher running.

No life runs through this house when they are gone.

School is Upon Us

Holy crap.

Tuesday is almost here.


Emma goes to first grade.


Olivia goes to daycare.


There will be blood.