Another Lesson in Parenting

My worst nightmare come true.

Alexander has the stomach flu.

For the first time.

He throws up. He cries. He asks why.

I have no answer except, "you're sick. It's ok. Mommy's here."

I clean up the puke. The puke on him. On blankies. On the floor.

On me.

Another lesson in parenting.

Ya really must love someone to let them puke on you and not puke back.

look what big four year olds can do...

No life-jacket for big four year olds.

Additionally - I did this whole post from my phone!

Presents + Playdate + Pizza + Preschool + Pancakes = Perfect Birthday!

Our favorite birthday tradition is to wake the birthday girl/boy at midnight to open presents. Seems like the perfect way to start a birthday celebration, right?


Last night was no exception.

The birthday boy/girl does have the choice to opt out and wait until later in the day.


No one has ever opted out.


Even if it means laying down and opening presents one-handed.


After opening one or two, he was into it.
(yes, we see the binkie)

And then he was done.


Around 11-ish, Addie came over for a play date before preschool. While they were playing, we overheard them "talking on the phone" and Addie asked him for a date. Alexander told her he would pack his new suitcase and be right over. He packed. She waited until he arrived. They went to the basement. And that's where we decided the date needed adult supervision

We decided it was time to play trains. Upstairs.

WOO-WOO!

WOO-WOO!

Pizza!

Time to go to preschool!

Mommy had a chance to visit preschool for the very first time today. She was very impressed by the program and realized how many similarities there are between preschoolers and high schoolers. Like the teacher said, the preschoolers have the same skills, they just lack the advanced vocabulary.

There were arts and crafts.

Snack time.

Everyone sang "Happy Birthday" to Alexander!

And we read a book.

They did a bunch of others things, too, but I had 3 or 4 kids hanging on me at any given moment so taking pictures wasn't ideal.

After a late afternoon nap (needed by all!), Ho-Ho Papa and Umma joined us for a pancake breakfast dinner.

Only the birthday boy changed his mind and didn't want pancakes.

When the temper tantrum subsided, we sang Happy Birthday one more time. Alexander sang Happy Birthday to himself one more time. Cause that's what four year olds do, ya know.

And he made his wish, "I wish we could be friends forever and ever."

While we can't promise to always be your friend, we do promise that Mommy and Daddy will love you forever and ever.

To the Moon and Back.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEXANDER!!

Birthday Party Recap

Oh, what a birthday party!

Per tradition, the party began with Jo-Jo's sleepover the night before the party. Now that he knows all about presents, Alexander opened his gift from Jo-Jo, minutes after she arrived.

Hooray for super cool Crayon Tower!

In the meantime, Eric cooked the cupcakes and I poured the cocktails. I gotta say, the planning this year was much smoother which allowed us to enjoy our evening with Jo-Jo.

Giant cupcake brought to you by Eric, Michelle and Jodie.

We finished the decorating later that evening so Alexander would wake up to this

One of my students made this poster for Alexander. She's quite the talented artist!

By 10AM, the Seahawks were on the TV, Mimosas and Bloody Marys were mixed, and the house was full of people.

Addie and Jeff looked so comfortable on the couch that others couldn't help but join them.

Alexander and Addie did their part to keep Marigold entertained.

By the third quarter, the Hawks were losing and a four year old couldn't wait another minute to open his presents.

This tall present was the most intriguing of all.

Any guesses?

A giant Crayon bank...

...filled with money for springtime garage sales!

Alexander decided this morning he wanted to spend his birthday money on two Thomas trains and save the rest for garage sales. So, we went online and bought Hiro and Annie and Clarabel. Thanks Grandma Great, Joanne and Lee for the birthday present!

Before too long, it was time to sing "Happy Birthday".

Jo-Jo lit the candles and we sang.

Addie and Maya claimed the cupcakes were "delicious!"

Once the sugar started flowing through bloodstreams, the kids played, played, and played some more.

Four little monkeys playing on a bed.

Thank you to all our loved ones for spending the day with us!

It was the bestest of birthday parties for this little guy, who crashed with the last guests departure.

And yes, we know we need to dump the binkie. We know.