Birthday Weekend

Well, to quote Merrilee "That was the best birthday I ever had!" I turned 43 on Sunday and we spent the weekend in North Carolina. We packed more into one weekend then I think we ever have in an entire week-long vacation! The weather held out great, considering the pop-up tropical storm, Cristobal, that came out of nowhere on Saturday. It made for big waves at the shore when we went to Topsail Beach, but that didn't stop the kids and I from braving the rough surf. We took our dunks in stride and enjoyed the body surfing.

In contrast, the kids enjoyed swimming in the New River at the marina where the waves were non-existent. We just kept watch for the American Alligators that hang out in those parts. Didn't see any, though. Too bad...the kids were kinda hoping to have to out run one.

On Sunday we had breakfast at Cracker Barrel and then Jay asked me what I wanted to do for my birthday. I had thought about it ahead of time, so I think I caught him off guard when I said I wanted to go roller skating. But he came through like a hero, called a friend and found us the roller rink called Wheel Fun! It was so fun showing the kids how we used to rent skates and spend our time when we were in our teens. It has been thirty years since I skated! Despite all the bumps and falls, the kids loved it and didn't want to go home when I asked them if they'd had enough. They managed to keep it up for nearly two hours. We had a blast. And I have to say...Jay was quite Da Man on the floor! I didn't know he had it in him! Ladies, if you've gotten to the point of ho hum with your man, take him roller skating and see what you might be missing!

After we wore ourselves out skating, we went to the arcade in the lobby of Wheel Fun! I'm not an arcade person; I cannot stand the stress of video games, especially the kind Jay likes to play. I had to get away when Merrilee was playing one of those driving games; she was all over the place running down pedestrians and going the wrong way on the highway. I was getting way too strung out and was nearly hollering for her to "Turn the wheel, turn the wheel! Look out for that guy!" while Jay was holding her accelerator down and paying no attention to her, as he helped Jacob with his game. I was freaking out because she was going too fast and I didn't even realize she wasn't using the pedals because her legs were too short. It was awful. I was so glad when we switched to dunking basketballs. Whew, so much more relaxing.

We restored our spent energy with a chocolate cake/vanilla ice cream layer cake. It was a marvelous birthday and I think Merrilee can speak for all of us in saying it really was "The best birthday I ever had".

Partying Hard

Merrilee had her big 5 on Tuesday. We started the morning by waking her up and reminding her it was her birthday and then giving her a blueberry muffin with a candle in it. She thought that was pretty cool. Of course she had to eat her cereal before she got the muffin.

We didn't celebrate big on Tuesday because her Big Birthday Bash was scheduled for Wednesday, but we did let her choose dinner (spinach lasagne with string beans and garlic bread) and then opened family presents afterwards. She said "My dreams have come true!" when she got the guitar she's been asking for since she turned four. She has wanted that thing for a long time (when you're five, a whole year is 20% of your lifetime...that's a lot!). So she was absolutely thrilled to get it. The thing that is downright funny is that three of the four presents we gave her, including the guitar, I bought in January when she was with me. She actually picked them out herself and I bought them but told her she couldn't have them until her birthday. And sure enough, she forgot all about them. Even the Awesome Guitar! Just goes to show you how impulse buys have an effect even on children. They want it, but the want passes soon enough, and they lose interest in the object of their desires. I was quite surprised she didn't even remember that I had already bought that guitar. She wasn't anticipating it in the least.

Anway, after she had opened all her presents and ooohed and aaahed over them, she had to call Grandma and Grandpa to play her music for them. I had tried to tune the guitar earlier, but the pegs are a bit loose so it doesn't hold the tension on the strings well, so I gave up. You can imagine how "good" it sounds. Grandma and Grandpa both got to hear her play and sing, and apparently they didn't loose their sense of hearing. Good sports, they are! From what I gather of the conversation that ensued, Grandma made the comment that Merrilee will be in a Rock-n-Roll band someday. Now Miss Merrilee is going around the house saying "I can't believe I'm going to be in a Rockin' Band someday. Grandma said I'm going to be in a Rockin' Band!" Mom, she's taken that to heart. Hope you're planning on paying for the guitar lessons and audio equipment. And you'd better get your house and garage prepared for her to come live with you while she's practicing....

Well, that was Tuesday, the easy part. Wednesday showed up and I was finally the Birthday Mom. The party was at the Jump Yard, a place with a bunch of those giant, air-filled bouncy things you see at carnivals. We invited eight girls so there were ten kids altogether. There's a reason I delayed letting my kids have a party with friends until they're five. Ten 4/5 years olds is a handful...I cannot imagine trying to do this with any younger age. Those of you who have done it, you are stronger (or loonier) moms than me. And there's also a reason I wouldn't do it at my own house--you can figure that one out. Thank goodness for places like the Jump Yard. We didn't have them when I was a kid, and now I know why I didn't have big birthday parties every year at my house; my mom values her sanity.

The girls had a blast, and other than the loitering in the party room to try to sneak a peek (or a finger) at the cake, there was much jumping and expenditure of energy. I think I had to shoo them out of the party room only twice. Once they were good and sweaty, we enjoyed some pizza, juice, and cake. These cupcake cakes are great. So much less mess because you just detach a cupcake from the mass and there's no cutting. I don't think I'll ever go back to regular cakes for birthdays, since I always buy the kids cakes anyway. I doubt I'd try to make a cupcake cake myself.

I have to add a final note of thanks to Pat, Katie, and Joanne. Thank you so much for all your help with the little details and odd jobs that I needed help with during the party. From my forgetting the candles to needing someone to take pictures while I placed the cake in front of Merrilee, to getting the juice boxes ready, you three were so kind to help me. Thanks! You're the best friends a crazed mom could have. I love you!