Happy Birthday to....Me!

Today is my birthday! I love birthdays....ok, I USED to love birthdays.

More recently, they aren't so much fun because it is an admission to my actual age. Which shall not be discussed here.

Because, in my head, I'm still 27.  (My body defies this thought process, but my brain and my body are often in disagreement. Especially after an hour or so on the trampoline with my kids. But I'm getting off track....)

This morning, I got a great birthday present from my kids. Possibly the best one yet.

Jewelry? No (although I do have a thing for jewelry. And handbags.)

Breakfast in bed? Nope. Who wants toast crumbs in their sheets, anyway.

No, my kids gave me....a song.

On stage. (Because, a simple song at the breakfast table doesn't have enough "flash" for my two. And why have a stage in your house - yes, we do - if you can't use it?)

How cute are they, anyway? Yup, they get their cheese from me. I couldn't be prouder.

So Happy Birthday, me!

A Letter to my Son

To my sweet Boo,

Today you turn 6 years old. Where has the time gone?

It seems like just yesterday that you arrived, Daddy's little mini-me. Strong-willed right from the start, you weren't going anywhere for Dr. Andy - you just wedged yourself right in, and weren't coming out. Thankfully, that same strong-willed little four-year-old has softened around the edges to a gentler, still sweet six year old.



You still are your Daddy's boy; there is no place you'd rather be than doing anything with him. I do believe the feeling is mutual! (That's ok, Mommy understands...)

You were an early talker with an inquisitive mind. You know EVERYTHING there is to know about construction trucks, tractors and trains (and have no hesitation to correct me if I point something out wrong.) Nothing makes you happier than sitting on a (insert name of construction vehicle/truck/bus/train here)!

You are perceptive and it gets us into trouble (mom and dad) more often than not, as you ask questions about things we just can't explain - and not just things that involve basic physics and such, but also deeper topics. In the 7 months that we have been here, you have lost your American accent, gained an English one and have totally reworked your vocabulary to fit how they speak here. (and I do crack up every time you say "hel-ee-cop-tah".)

You are creative, colorful, and imaginative. You not only have one imaginary brother (the multi-talented Kevin, who, when not playing in your band or driving the tour bus, is flying fighter jets here in the UK and driving a delivery truck), but have manned your entire band with imaginary brothers (Marco, Stansty, and...um - the other Italian guy - oh, yeah - Bruno.) You told us that we will need to expand the driveway so there will be room to park your tour bus when you aren't on the road, as you are always going to live with us. You are funny, and love silliness.



You write your own songs, and sing them endlessly. You know all the words to U2 and Bruce Springsteen, but also appreciate Sugarland, Lady Antebellum, Louis Armstrong, and Toots Maytal.


You are THE most social person I know - and you are only 6. You make friends at the drop of a hat, and they love you as much as you love them. You talk about your old friends but forge ahead with new friendships.



You are also sensitive. Like me, you fret over making the wrong decision, and get upset when you can't decide. You cry when your friends tease you or call you names - or when your tiny sister taunts you. (I did warn you it was going to happen, eventually...)

You were my firstborn - the one whose naps I guarded and protected obsessively (earning me the moniker of "Sleep Nazi"). The one who Mommy fretted and fussed and rocked all night long, sleeping in your rocking chair, when you couldn't sleep because you startled yourself awake. Too big to take home in newborn clothes, you are still my "tall boy" - although, now, you are all legs. We tease you that you look like a grasshopper when you climb out of the tub!

And - despite the fact that in a few short years you WILL be taller than me, you won't pass up the chance for a snuggle at bedtime and still laugh when we pretend to get stuck together after a good squeezy hug.

I don't know where your life will take you, but I know that you have the will, creativity and passion to do exactly what you want to do.

You are funny, silly, charming, creative, stubborn - and all mine.
Oh, how I love you, little man.

Happy birthday, Boo.

A Letter to my Daughter

My sweet Princess Pea -

Today you turned 4. When did you get to be such a big girl? You're such a tiny little bit of a thing, and I thought you'd always be that size - big eyes, short little legs.

As you've grown, so has your personality. You aren't going to let anyone get in your way, are you little girl? While it may drive me mad at times, this single-minded focus and strong will of yours, its going to work in your favor when you're big. Sure, we have our moments (ok, hours). But in the end, your big heart and wide smile always melt my heart and win me back to your side, no matter how frustrated you might make me.

You love your big brother, and won't start the school day without a kiss from him. (In the cloakroom, because he's too embarrassed to kiss you in front of his mates.) Everything has to be just "pewrfect", and you won't leave the house in the morning until your shoes are in order and your toys tidied up. In your world, stripes go with stripes, and kitty rain boots go with everything.
You have the brightest smile I've seen, and it can change to a scowl and a whine faster than I can scoff back cheap wine to deal with it.

Its no wonder you want Mommy to carry you everywhere, still...you're used to being close to me

(a.k.a., "the Mommy Wubbie")

You're a mommy's girl....

You've turned the tables on your big brother, and you can give as good as you get.....

We share a love of purses and shoes....

(note the drool!)

You have your own unique sense of style....

Playful and spirited, you love dressing up...

You're simply you.



And I love you.
Happy birthday, sweet girl.

Happy birthday to the Hubs!

Birthdays close to Christmas must be anticlimactic, I've always thought.

For my poor Hubs, this year it was practically a non-event. I did manage to bake him a cake. (Ok, from a mix, but its a cake. A MOIST cake. Which I have yet to taste over here....)




Due to safety regulations and lack of enough fire extinguishers (and the fact that I didn't have 46 candles), we gave him a "4" candle, and six single candles. Get it? 4 and 6? Ok, lame.

Although, the heat from 46 candles might have warmed up the dining room....

I don't think he minded. Seven candles are managable at his age. The kids liked the glitter. The cake was awesome. We sang to him, off key.

I'm a fortunate gal to have found such a great guy. He's good looking yet tolerant of the Simon Cowell comparisons (not so much in this pic), fun, thoughtful, driven, supportive, loving and kind.

He's a lucky guy to have such a great family.

Even if we do all drive him mad.

Happy birthday, love!

Happy Birthday, Dad

(Ok, so this post is going up a bit late - I'm behind on my blogging. The message is just as heartfelt as it was the day of his birthday!)

My Dad turned 65 today! Given the fact that his birth father passed in his early 20s and his adoptive father also passed at a relatively young age, its a pretty remarkable accomplishment. And I think that living through a valve replacement last year gave him a different perspective on life.

This morning we hopped in the car and drove to my parents house to spend the day with him. We took him to lunch, and had a really wonderful meal. (Next time, we're leaving the cranky kids at home, but since it was his birthday, we decided that they had to be there.) Returning home, we spent part of the afternoon going through an old box of family photos, trying to figure out who the people were in the really old photos (early 1900s and probably older), and laughing at the pictures of all of us in our early years (including Mom's big glasses, Dad's lambchop sideburns and our horrifically big hair in the late 80s).

He is a pretty remarkable guy. Pete and I call him "the original MacGuyver", because there is nothing he can't fix or build, and more often than not, his solutions to a problem are so blindingly simple but completely amazing to those living obliviously (like us).

He has a lifetime's worth of tools and he knows how to use them. He is creative and talented at woodworking and building. Growing up he always had something for us - really unique Halloween costumes (one year, my sister went as a stop-sign, complete with working red, yellow and green lights on the front) and I don't think there is a room in my parents house that hasn't been remodeled - by him - at least twice.

He has a quick wit and searing sense of humor (that my mom, often the beneficiary of it, may not appreciate like the rest of us, but I understand!) I get my wit from him. (Pete will add, at least we both think we are witty, but he's not the one writing this blog.)

He is a man of few words, but we know that he loves us. And I certainly hope he knows how much we love him too.

Happy Birthday, Daddy.

Happy Birthday, Maddie!

I can't believe that my baby turned three yesterday. Where has the time gone?

She isn't a baby any more - at least, that is what she tells me. She is a BIG girl.

(But not one of those big girls that use the potty. Those are Big Girls. There is, apparently, a difference.)

This year, Maddie had her first real party, with just her friends. We had a Princess Party, playdate style, while everyone's siblings were in school. In lieu of goody bags, me, being the good mama that I am, I made tutus for everyone.

Here they are, all lined up and ready for the girls:

To go with the princess theme, I also baked a doll cake. The cake was moist and delicious (thanks for the tips, Susie) but the frosting debacle, well, I'll take responsibility for that.


Maddie was thrilled, and it tasted great - so that's all that matters, I guess!


So 7 of her friends and their moms & nannies gathered in our basement playroom for a few hours of playtime and dressup. And dress up they did!

(Did I mention I made these tutus?)

Maddie is blessed to have such sweet playmates, and she really does love all her friends.

So happy birthday, my sweet little Princess Pea! You are one of my greatest blessings, and I love you.

Happy Birthday, my darling husband!

Happy Birthday, Pete!

Today, my wonderful husband turned 45. (Yes, I married an older man!) However, due to local fire regulations, we could only put 4 + 5 candles on his cake. Well, that and it was smallish to begin with. (But from Cold Stone Creamery, so acceptable.)

All kidding aside, I am blessed to have this amazing man by my side.

I love him for his sensitivity, sense of humor, his grouchiness before he's had his morning coffee;

his self-discipline in getting to the gym at the crack of dawn. I love his appreciation for family history and family traditions. (Like taking birthday pictures on Grandmommy's sofa.) I appreciate how he takes the kids after dinner to give them their baths, read them stories and put them to bed (rocking for Pea and a snuggle for Boo) without complaint, even on his longest days. I love him for when he gets teary-eyed at movies, tear-jerker story lines and some days, just watching his kids.

So happy birthday, Uncle Fussy. I love you to the moon and back.

A handsome devil, isn't he?

A little help blowing out the candles


A snuggly moment with Princess Pea and Boo.