Recently in Birthdays Category

Ok, this one is just a bit overdue but I have a great excuse.... actually, I don't.

Sophie celebrated her 5th birthday surrounded by family in Reno during our trip to the States in December.  She had requested a Hawaiian birthday so my mom and I stayed up the night before making her cake.  It was a really easy and cute plumeria that I had seen in Women's Weekly.  

Mom and Grandma Mary decked the whole table out with leis and golden necklaces, foil garland.  It was after all, Sophie's Golden Birthday.  My mom planned a treasure hunt for the girls and they had clues as to where to find everything.  They really enjoyed running all around and finding the treasures.  The Birthday Fairy (something created by Mom) hid all of the presents and the very last one was The Golden Necklace.  Sophie was enraptured that a fairy had come with everything for her.  

Sophie was showered in presents and love by all the family who rarely get to see her.  It was really a special treat being able to celebrate with all of them together.

Today we had a bunch of friends over to celebrate Josie's birthday. It was cold and raining when we woke up, but the sun started piercing through while we were getting ready and by the time everyone arrived it was a gorgeous morning.

After months of deliberation, Josie had finally settled on a Hello Kitty theme for her party. Brandie & I decided to try making Hello Kitty-themed cake pops after seeing them on Bakerella (amazing stuff on there, if you've never been!) They turned out to be really easy and as usual fun to do a project like that together - plus they seemed to be a hit with all the kids today (click on the picture of the birthday girl above to see them).

We also had a dance-party theme to the party, inspired by the dance parties we had with our cousins during their visit. On today's playlist:

Jack Rabbit Slims Twist Contest - Various (Pulp Fiction)
Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It) - Beyonce
So What - Pink
Don't Stop Believin' - Glee Cast

It was really a fun day, thanks all who made it out (and to everyone we wish were there!)

The Juice turned 4 today.  She got all dolled up in a new outfit from Uncle Jesse and carried her new Hello Kitty backpack in to school today, proud as a peacock.  As soon as I walked out the door I wanted to run back and stay with her, as if that would keep her from getting older.  I can't help myself.  She's my baby.  

Now that she's 4 she's started in the 4 year old Kindy (preschool) class on Monday.  This means she'll be attending 5 mornings a week.  She was very excited and proud to see her teachers that morning.  Giving her best smile to each of them as they greeted her.  I picked her up from school, happy as a clam at high tide.  We came home, had a nice snack and a nap.  Then headed off to her new swimming lessons.  I was concerned as her last lessons consisted mostly of her waiting her turn and during the waiting time she would cry for me.  This time she hopped right in, her swim cap and goggles accentuating her cheeks, and did everything the teacher asked her.  Smiling all along.  We stopped to get fish and chips on the way home to celebrate our first day back at school and Josie's first day at 4 year old kindy.  As we drove up the hill she exclaimed at the top of her lungs, "My name is J-O-S-I-E Josie and I'm a big girl now!!"  She was so proud.

We're proud of you too Josie.  Keep growing up even if mommy tells you not to.

Our wonderful niece (and super cool cousin) turns 9 today. 9 years ago, Jake and I were flying on a red eye out to Newark and Julia was being born. So happy to have you in our lives Julia!!

Hope you have a super happy birthday!

It's our beautiful little girl's 3rd birthday today. She's never really had a shell to come out of but her personality has blossomed this year. She's continued with her severe independence but has started to develop a bit of patience. She loves music and will sing, dance and play instruments like there's no one watching.  She has a flair for drama and talking about how "wonuful" everything is.

We think so too. Happy Birthday Josie Grace, we love you!

Please join Josie, Sophie & myself in wishing the best wife, mom and friend evar a Happy Birthday! We hope it's your best yet.

Our little girl turned 4 today. She's been counting down the days and asking every morning for the past month "Am I four?". She was ecstatic this morning when she spotted her birthday banner and presents on the kitchen table. She came running back to our room to ask Jake if she was four today. A couple things Sophie has decided turning 4 means.

She is now too big to be picked up. (I have completely vetoed this one)
She needs to wear underwear with four princesses on it AND the number 4 on it.
She will now eat asparagus. (cause that is what 4 year olds do)

We're having a rainbow themed party for her tomorrow and will be sure to post pictures of Sophie's first summer time birthday!

A big, huge Happy 36th Birthday to my husband. He gets to celebrate from Wednesday to Saturday this year starting with a whiskey tasting last night and ending with his favorite Thanksgiving meal on Saturday.  He deserves an extra week of celebration on top of that!

 

This is our biggest concentration of birthdays at the Ranch, and probably the one week (other than Christmas) I most want to be home. My entire family converges onto Camp Nagapapa for what is usually the final bash of the summer, and the most continuous use of the pool all year.

At least one campfire is involved (with requisite smores) and at least two or three runs for Friendly's ice cream (with the world's best peanut butter sauce). Spiedes, sausages & peppers, corn on the cob, salt potatoes, coleslaw, tomato & basil salad, guacamole & chips are all usually consumed by the truckload, and any leftovers mysteriously disappear from the fridge overnight (with a trail of crumbs leading to a certain upstairs bedroom).

Happy Birthday to Uncle Anthony, Aunt Lauren, Grandpa George and Aunt Sarah: may your birthday weeks be as good as we're imagining them to be!

I'm generally in awe of my wife for a variety of reasons, but most especially in the realms of being a human being, friend and particularly parent. I know, it sounds like I'm bragging or scheming to get a new batch of cookies with those yummy chocolate chips she picked up, but I'd wager anyone who knows her has probably felt the same way at some point. Most recently for me, it was last night at the girls' bed-time.

We usually read books to the girls, but last night we stayed up later than usual eating popcorn and watching The Lion King so we had a make-believe birthday party instead. This is a nap-time routine that Brandie & Sophie have developed together, and it usually involves Snow White, Mickey Mouse or some other celebrity (at some point or another I think every one of our long-distance family and friends has been the subject). Last night I was the guest of honor, a rare instance where Sophie didn't have to take on the role of the guest mid-way through. Here's a rough transcription of what it's like:

Mom: "Ok whose birthday is it?"
Girls: "Daddy's!"
Mom: "What do you think he would like for his birthday present?"
Sophie: "A new boot!" (just one)
Josie: "A pancake!"
Mom: "Does anyone have a pancake?"
Sophie: "I do!  It's a squeaky one!"
Mom: "Ok let's wrap his present! What color box should we put it in?"
Sophie: "Brown!" (looks at me) "Do you like brown?"
Me: "I do."
Mom: "Oh I only have a white box. Does anyone have some brown paint they could color this box with?"
Sophie: "I do!" (pretends to paint the box)
Mom: "Here, hold your finger on this ribbon and help me tie the bow. Perfect. Now does anyone have a boot for Daddy?"
Sophie: "I have a cowboy boot right here."
Mom: "Josie, do you have a pretty box we could put this boot in for Daddy?"
Josie: "Uh-huh." (pretend wrapping, rolling of the arms, ribbon placement and the addition of sprinkles commence)
Mom: "Now, what kind of cake do you think Daddy wants?"
Sophie: "A boot cake, but not in the shape of a boot, just with a boot on it with icing."
Mom: "Ok we need 3 cups of flour. Josie, do you have any flour?"
Josie: "Yeah!" (pours into imaginary bowl Mom is holding out)
Mom: "Ok now we need 2 eggs. Sophie do you have some eggs?"
Sophie: "Here you go!" (cracks eggs into bowl)
Mom: "Alright, we need some vanilla. Josie do you have any vanilla?"
Josie: (pours in vanilla)
Mom: "And two pinches of salt, one from each of you." (a pinch added by each)
Mom: "Can you whisk it for me?"
Sophie: "Sure!" (crazy stirring with lots of sound effects) "Let's put it in the oven." (slam!) Ding! It's done."
Mom:  "Ok, take it out but be careful, it's very hot. Daddy I think it's about time for you to go in the hall."
Dad: (I do)
Mom: "Ah! I hear Daddy.  Let's hide. (they duck down and cover their eyes) One, two, three. Surprise! Happy Birthday Daddy!"
Me: "Oh! Thank you!"
Mom: "Would you like to open your presents Dad?" (Josie hands over the squeaky pancake then Sophie hands over the boot, insisting that I try it on)
Mom: "Are you ready for birthday cake?" (Mom, Sophie and Josie all sing Happy Birthday to me)
Mom: "Now make a wish and blow out your candles." (I do) "Sophie would you like to cut the cake?"
Sophie: "Sure! Here's one for Josie, one for Mommy, one for Daddy and one for Sophie."
Mom: "Did anyone else come to Daddy's party?"
Sophie: "Oh yeah. One for Grandpa, one for Grandma, one for Eulie dog and Julia-n-Jessica. Dad, my cousins came to your party!"
Me: "Hooray! Thank you both so much for my presents and wonderful party."