An Uneventful Birthday

I'm marking the week of my 39th birthday with my first chiropractic adjustment today -- appropriate for someone who's nearing the top of the hill, isn't it?

Since that's about the most exciting thing that's happened lately, I suppose that means that my birthday tomorrow will be the most uneventful I've had in many a year. But things are getting back to normal in some ways (seeing friends outdoors), and not at all in others (figuring out how many days per week -- if any -- the kids will actually be at school this fall). If this is all over in a year, there's no doubt that I'll deserve the 40th birthday bash I was planning to throw myself next July.

But I'm reading more books than ever, the kids have gained a lot of independence and overall things are looking good, all things considered. Happy birthday to me.

Atticus Turns 5

Atticus's fifth birthday last Thursday may not have been exciting, but it was memorable. He was pretty bummed that his family party was postponed, and equally sad that his friend party wasn't even scheduled. (This was the first year he was getting a friend party, poor boy.)

I still made a special layered chocolate cake in honor of the occasion, and he blew out candles. In an effort to make the day a little better, I texted my neighbors the day before to ask if their kids could chalk a birthday message or picture on their driveways. Unfortunately, a surprise pop-up shower that night washed them away! A few kids made new messages the next day, and I went out and redid my own drawings in the dark while Paul held a flashlight. But many of the neighbors went above and beyond, serenading him with "happy birthday" as he rode his scooter down the street.

Here's the annual list of what Atticus likes best nowadays Can it be any surprise that he received mostly Star Wars and Wall-E gifts?

5-year old Atticus's favorite ...
In his own words / [what I guessed]

• Food: Sweets / [pepperoni pizza and macaroni and cheese]

• Toy: Legos / [Legos]

• Book: Star Wars / [anything Star Wars]

• TV Show: "Star Wars TV show" / [Clifford]

• Movie: Star Wars and Wall-E / [Wall-E and Star Wars]

• Playground activity: Slide and swing / [sandbox]

• Color: "Blue and green and black and brown" / [Blue and green and black and brown]

• Animal: Monkey / [Brown Bear (his stuffed animal)]

• Song: Star Wars and Wall-E / ["Put on Your Sunday Clothes," from Wall-E via Hello, Dolly!]

• Game: Headache / [Chutes and Ladders]<-- almost="" and="" but="" chutes="" guessed="" i="" ladders="" li="" this="" went="" with="">

• Fruit: Pear / [grapes]

• Vegetable: Corn, cold. / [Cold corn and peas. He likes them frozen!]

• Breakfast: Froot Loops with milk in it. / [Froot Loops. To be fair (to me), this is a special treat!]

Week of Birthdays

Who knew so many kids were born in February?

Edith went to a birthday party on Saturday, couldn't go to one she was invited to on Sunday, has another this Wednesday after school and yet another this Saturday. Even Atticus went to a birthday party yesterday!

Luckily we have reached the age that nearly all of the parties they are invited to (including 100 percent of these February parties) are drop off, so a party invitation is pretty much free babysitting for us! And of course the kids have a blast eating, crafting and playing with their friends. It's a win-win.

It's little things like this that make me realize how much the kids are growing. Not to mention that I registered Atticus for kindergarten yesterday!

Edith Turns 7

 
Edith's birthday was last Thursday, but it's not over yet! She had a birthday party with family on Sunday, but after school today a number of friends are coming to our house for games, crafts and pizza. I think she has been more excited about that than actually getting older!

7-year old Edith's favorite ...
In her own words / [what I guessed]

• Food: Macaroni / [macaroni and cheese, spaghetti]

• Toy:  Chelsea trailer [basically a Barbie accessory] / [Barbies]

• Book: Betsy-Tacy / [anything Henry and Mudge]

• TV Show: Pinkalicious / [Molly of Denali]

• Movie: Cinderella and Frozen / [Frozen]

• Recess activity: Play with friends / [playing games with friends]

• Color: Pink, gold and purple / [pink and purple]

• Animal: Elephant / [cheetah]

• Song: All songs by Laurie Berkner, and Let It Go [from Frozen] / [Honky Cat]

• Game: Dominoes / [dominoes]

• Fruit: Strawberries / [strawberries]

• Vegetable:  Tomatoes / [carrots with ranch dressing]

• Breakfast: Froot Loops [generic kind!] and milk / [Oatmeal with sugar and cinnamon]

• Restaurant: Graeter's [for ice cream] / [Spaghetti Warehouse]

• Thing about school:  Art / [Art class, playing with friends]

• Anything else she wants to add: "I still love unicorns. I love art still, and I love drawing unicorns."

I was pretty proud of the unicorn cake I made, and Edith loved it!

Birthday #38

Of all days that Vacation Bible School could have started, yesterday was the best it could have been. It was a great start to my 38th birthday -- three hours completely to myself.

But soon enough it was noon and the day proceeded like normal. Swim lessons for Edith, followed by our weekly trip to the library. Then a little birthday treat: ice cream cones for me and the kids and a living room viewing of one of my favorite movies, "La La Land."

The movie is becoming a birthday tradition, but there's another I like even more -- savoring a chocolate truffle cookie from nearby Northstar Cafe after the kids go to bed. I good start and end to the first day of my latest year.

Atticus's 4th Birthday

Atticus's 4th birthday lasted almost a full two weeks -- first the birthday itself, followed a few days later by a visit to a newly opened Graeter's ice cream shop (with a totally new indoor play area), followed by his birthday party on Sunday. The celebrations lasted so long that before his party on Sunday, he asked if he had turned 5 yet! Sorry, buddy, 11.5 more months to go.

Atticus Turns 4

My baby certainly isn't one any longer. The 4-year-old Atticus has strong opinions, and he's not afraid to share them. Happy 4th birthday (today!), Atticus!

4-year old Atticus's favorite ...
In his own words / [what I guessed]

• Food: pepperoni pizza / [macaroni and cheese, but really he hasn't met too many foods he won't eat]

• Toy: "All of the toys" / [wood blocks]

• Book: Bake, Mice, Bake / [Go, Dog, Go!]

• TV Show: Nature Cat / [Nature Cat]

• Movie: Wall-E / [Wall-E]

• Playground activity: "Play with new kids" / [swing]

• Color: "Blue and green and black and brown and gray" / [Blue and green and black and brown - he always says it this way! Gray was new to me.]

• Animal: Brown Bear / [Brown Bear (his stuffed animal)]

• Song: Wall-E's song / [no clue!]

• Game: Candy Land / [tag]

• Fruit: Watermelon / [applesauce]

• Vegetable: Broccoli / [corn]

• Breakfast: Oatmeal and cereal / [oatmeal with applesauce on top]

Paul Turns 40

What you get when you ask for a cake with a gaming theme, incorporating lots of colors and Nerds. Perfect!

Paul wasn't exactly looking forward to turning 40 last Friday, but why not make the best out of a bad thing? We celebrated with about four dozen of our closest friends the following day.

We reserved a table at an arcade a couple of miles from our house, filled with old games and consoles. Paul had been there several times, but I never had. It turned out to be the perfect family-friendly venue for our friends and their kids. (Children are welcome during the day, but it's 21+ at night.) Atticus especially was enthralled by the games, and Edith, too, had fun. I already have plans for Paul to return with the kids while mom spends a few relaxing hours at home!

Our favorite pizza place is a couple of blocks away from the arcade, so a good dozen or so followed (or met) us there. After eating, I took the kids home and put them to bed, good and ready for the babysitter we had for the evening. Paul, a friend and I followed up the pizza place with a nearby bar.

Few people look forward to getting older, but you might as well do it in style, right? And thus the nine-hour birthday extravaganza was born.

Atticus showing off lots of "straws."

Photos: October & November Highlights

Some favorite fall photos that haven't much seen the light of day:

Oct. 19, 2018

Oct. 28, Burr Oak

Nov. 11

Nov. 11, Edith's family birthday party

Nov. 11

Nov. 11

Edith's Birthday, Part 2

Edith had a super special birthday playdate -- the first time parents didn't stay! -- last Friday in honor of her birthday. It only ended up being two friends (the third was sick), but it went extremely well. I think I could even allow her to up the invitees to five or six next time!

First we decorated Rice Krispie treats, which was a big hit. Chocolate frosting, chocolate chips, coconut, M&Ms, marshmallows and sprinkles -- what's not to like? Everyone got their fingernails and toenails painted before a fish stick supper. Then it was time for Doc McStuffins on TV.

The three hours couldn't have gone faster. It was a lovely low-key way to mark the occasion of her 6th birthday ... and she doesn't even turn 6 til Wednesday!

Edith Turns 6

Edith is having the longest birthday ever.

She doesn't actually turn 6 until next Wednesday, but her family birthday party was two days ago.  She's having a few friends over on Friday. She gets to pick out where to go out to eat this weekend. And then we'll do something special on her birthday, too!

To find out who she is, I asked her roughly the same questions as last year.

6-year old Edith's favorite ...
In her own words / [what I guessed]

• Food: spaghetti and macaroni / [spaghetti]

• Toy:  Doc McStuffins toy / [stuffed animals]

• Book: Betsy-Tacy / [anything Fancy Nancy or Pinkalicious]

• TV Show: Doc McStuffins and Let's Go Luna / [Doc McStuffins]

• Movie: Cinderella and Frozen / [Frozen]

• Playground activity: "Going down that slide without a middle" (two railings) and swings / [swinging]

• Color: pink and purple / [pink]

• Animal: cheetah, giraffe and elephant / [dog]

• Song: "Daddy's cowgirl song and cowboy song" (Let's Ride Into the Sunset Together - Don Burnham and Patty Kistner / [Honky Cat]

• Game: Busy Town and a Disney game that's just like Busy Town / [pretending to be a puppy]

• Fruit: pineapples, strawberries and blueberries / [strawberries]

• Vegetable:  tomatoes, and carrots dipped in ranch / [carrots with ranch dressing]

• Breakfast: "That cereal that's your favorite." / ["Mommy's favorite" -- Cascadian Farms oat cereal]

• Restaurant:  Spaghetti Warehouse and Nancy's (a local diner) / [Spaghetti Warehouse]

• Thing about school:  Center time (changes daily at school) / [recess, art class]

• Anything else she wants to add: "I like to play with Mommy and Daddy and Atticus. I like to paint my nails with my friends at my birthday party."

Birthday #37

Weekend birthdays are the best -- you can plan exactly what you want to do without the interference of any real responsibilities. Thus was the case Sunday, on the occasion of the 37th anniversary of my birth.

The kids presented me with a card before I had even gotten out of bed, and Edith especially was determined to make it a good day for me. ("I will make it a special day, Mama, because you're old," she said, not in the least bit snidely. And I'm barely paraphrasing.)

Paul and I got tickets to a pop-up brunch weeks ago, so we dropped the kids off with friends and ate a delicious meal. Then we walked around the Ohio State campus for a bit, until the humid weather got the best of us and we headed back to the air-conditioned car. (The construction on the Oval and at Mirror Lake didn't exactly lift the spirits either.)

The afternoon? A nap. And in the evening we visited my in-laws as usual, only this time I brought the best of all birthday cakes -- a blackout cake modeled after the one I loved so much in Brooklyn. (Mine's better.)

So my next year in life has started out pretty nicely. I even still have half a cake in the refrigerator.

Atticus's 3rd Birthday

April 15, 2018. His requested blueberry/dinosaur cake.

His "I'm-so-embarrassed" face.

Photos: November, December & January Highlights

Photos that never made it on the blog -- and a good reminder for me to pick up my camera once in a while since there's nothing of note in January!

Nov. 2, 2017: Edith and Atticus swinging

Nov. 21: Edith painting with her new earmuffs

Nov. 26: Edith's birthday party

Dec. 6: Kennedy Space Center, Florida

Dec. 7: Cruise ship parked next door in Nassau

Dec. 22: Atticus stealing the spotlight at COSI

The Longest Birthday Ever

Edith's fifth birthday was two weeks ago today, and it lasted nearly as long. Due to the long Thanksgiving break and the sickness of a teacher who was to bring in baking supplies to her class, Edith just made birthday brownies and was sung to by her classmates last Friday! But no complaints -- I like having special events strung out, and I think Edith does to.

We had a birthday party with family a couple of weekends ago, but this year we did something special. We invited her friends to our house on her birthday for an extended play date after school. I called it her "birthday un-party." I requested no gifts, but instead provided temporary tattoos, cookies to decorate and paper crowns for the kids to color and sticker.

Around 15 or so kids showed up, and it was a blast. And low-stress. It was great to make her fifth birthday so memorable, and in such an easy way.

Edith Turns 5

Aug. 29, 2017

How is it that my little baby girl, born the day before Thanksgiving in 2012, turns 5 years old today? Even I have to admit, however, that Edith is no longer a baby.

She's a preschooler who loves to learn, please her teachers and play with friends. She's easy to make laugh and eager to smile. She's an expert at pretending, puzzles (100 pieces by herself and 300 with help) and even passing the time with her 2-year-old brother, Atticus.

Who is Edith today? I asked her the same questions as last year, and added a couple more at the end.

5-year old Edith's favorite ...
In her own words / [what I guessed]

• Food: macaroni / [macaroni and cheese and pasta]

• Toy: dress-up stuff / [kitchen]

• Book: Fancy Nancy / [anything Fancy Nancy or Pinkalicious]

• TV Show: Doc McStuffins / [Doc McStuffins]

• Movie: Frozen / [Frozen]

• Playground activity: swinging / [slide]

• Color: purple / [purple and pink]

• Animal: giraffes / [dog]

• Nursery Rhyme: Are You Sleeping? / [no guess]

• Song: Let It Go / [The Schuyler Sisters from Hamilton]

• Game: Super Why / [Simon Says or matching games]

• Fruit: watermelon / [apples]

• Vegetable: corn and carrots / [corn]

• Breakfast: oatmeal / [Life cereal]

• Restaurant: Spaghetti Warehouse / [Spaghetti Warehouse]

• Thing about school: going outside / [playing outside, art class]

Atticus Turns 2

April 2, 2017

The calendar has confirmed what I long have feared -- Atticus is getting older.

He turned two on Sunday, and boy does he act it. So far we haven't quite entered the terrible phase, but we're well within the Ornery Twos. That's a thing, right? If not, he's doing his best to make it so.

Atticus at 2 is singing the ABC song (and even gets a few of the letters in the correct order lol) and is starting to learn his colors (blue, green and recently pink). He is saying more words than I can count and learning new ones each day. I think he could spend hours on my lap looking at books, pointing to and reciting the objects he knows and patiently asking about the ones he doesn't.

He loves Maisy Mouse books, ring around the rosie and pretty much anything his big sister is doing. He is always happy swinging and is brave when it comes to slides and (especially) ladders. And Mama is thrilled that he still takes a two or three hour nap every day, even if he wants his beloved fuzzy brown teddy bear with him.

He doesn't much like his hands dirty, although that doesn't stop him from stuffing every type of food into his mouth. This kid has an appetite. Sure, he can use a spoon and fork, but fingers are so much faster! He's eager to drink his milk and water from a big-kid cup without a lid, but mama still has to clean up quite a few spills.

Best of all, he loves to laugh and is eager to do so. Simply put, Atticus is a joy.

Birthday Tie Dye Cupcakes

Who wants a plain old vanilla birthday cake when you can have tie dye cupcakes instead? At least, that's what I imagined Edith thinking as her fourth birthday approached last week.

I came across the concept of tie dye cupcakes when I made Paul a rainbow cake for his birthday last year. This seemed similar but less time consuming. (Correct on both counts.)

I started with the same basic cake recipe that I used for Paul's -- the most delicious vanilla cake I've tasted. It made 24 cupcakes, although really I shouldn't have filled some of them so full and made a few mini cupcakes instead.

Then I separated the batter into six bowls, coloring each.

I riffed on the instructions I had seen, plopping blobs of batter into cupcake liners instead of making layers, mostly because my batter was thick and wouldn't easily spread. I think they turned out better like that anyway.

Next time, I might do five colors of batter, saving the sixth color for the frosting. Either way, delicious!

Edith Turns 4

As of yesterday, I have a 4 year old. That means it is high time she starts pulling her weight around here, like writing a blog post for me once in a while. So this one's on her.

Four-year old Edith's favorite ...
In her own words / [what Mommy would say]

• Food: pizza and macaroni / [pizza and macaroni and cheese]

• Toy: the kitchen / [crayons]

• Book: A Cake to Bake (NOTE: starring Disney princesses. Pretty sure this is not her favorite, but just a book we recently got from the library!) / [anything Amelia Bedelia]

• TV Show: Daniel Tiger/ [Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood]

• Movie: Tiana (NOTE: The Princess and the Frog, recently watched.) / [Frozen and Cinderella]

• Playground activity: swings / [swings]

• Color: purple and pink / [purple and pink]

• Animal: a bird / [cat]

• Nursery Rhyme: Hot Dog (NOTE: from a kid's CD) / [Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star]

• Song: Hamilton / [My Shot from Hamilton]

• Game: Daniel Tiger / [Candy Land]

• Fruit: apple / [blueberries]

• Vegetable: corn / [pepper sticks]

• Breakfast: Life cereal / [Life cereal]

For the record, I wrote my predictions before asking her. Not too bad!

Photo Friday: On the Carousel

It's my birthday, so how about some rare selfies of me and the kids on the carousel at Columbus Commons?

June 22, 2016