Spring Break

Spring has sprung and the ample rain is creating one beautiful green landscape. It's time to plant and picnic and play outside. But before spring completely gets away from me, I want to post some pictures from the last few months.

In March when the nip in the air was overstaying its welcome, we fled the cold of the Midwest for warmer climes and went home to Texas for a nice early birthday and spring break celebration. We had nonstop fun, nonstop fish and shrimp tacos (or chicken nuggets, depending on which family member you speak to), and nonstop quality time with Mimi. Here are a few pics from our trip, and one of the kids' cool new birthday bikes.

I'm Fweeee!

Lola and Locke are now three (or "fwee" in toddler-speak) so they're now members of that not-so-exclusive club that we've read about on so many toy labels since they were born: Ages 3+. What that label doesn't tell you is that the members of this new club can not only play with a lot more toys, they can also tell you what they will and won't do, tell you what YOU will and won't do, shock you with the depth of their knowledge and understanding, make up better stories than any book we read together, make you wish you hadn't said certain things (after you hear it coming back from a 3-year-old), and surprise you with the sweetest words or kiss or hug just when you needed it most.

We celebrated their birthday with about a dozen of their friends at a veritable wonderland for toddlers. It's a showroom for a company that sells big wooden playsets for your yard with swings, slides, climbing walls, forts, tunnels, and towers, many of which cost more than our car. They also have about 4 Thomas train tables, miniature houses, and a basketball court. A good time was had by all.

Here are some pics from the party.

Happy Birthday, my loves.

A Tale of Two Parties

Lola makes her way to the guest of honor



















Locke and the birthday girl playing together at her party













The family after the vintage fire truck ride







Lola and Locke are members of a little toddler posse comprised of kids all close the same age. A couple of their friends turned two recently so we've dipped a toe into the world of kids' birthday parties.

Now I've always been skeptical of the giant parties with hired performers and invitations extended to every member of the school. But I also never realized that parents can receive such genuine pleasure from watching their kids have fun. Not that I believe you have to drop a few thousand for your kids to have fun. In fact, I still firmly believe that money and extravagance has no bearing on the pleasure of a two-year-old. And the two birthday parties we experienced are a tribute to that fact. Next year, however, may be a different story altogether.

One party was held at the gang's favorite park and playground, so they were already comfortable with their surroundings and were immediately happy to be there. There were the usual draws — the swings, slides, ladders and climbing wall. But this time there were even more toys to play with — push toys, riding toys, balls, and bubbles. Plus, there were cupcakes with Dora and Boots in a beach scene on top. What more could a two-year-old want?

In the week leading up to the party, I'd been preparing L+L for the fun time they were going to have that weekend. And each time I mentioned the party, Locke would say, "cake?" "Yes," I'd answer, "you get to eat yummy cake!" So, for 5 or 6 days, we talked about swings, slides, presents, and, most importantly, cake.

When we finally got to the party, L+L were so excited by all their friends and the push cars and the presents and balloons, that they wouldn't even try the cupcakes. They even yelled "Dora and Boots!" when they saw the decorations on them, but their appetites were just no match for the excitement.

But they obviously didn't need cake to have a good time. The party was a huge hit.

The other birthday party was held at a fire station. The kids got to climb around in real fire trucks and, after hot dogs, hamburgers and cake in the station, they went for a ride around town on top of a vintage fire truck. Now, anyone reading this who is not a parent might think, hmmm, that was probably fun. But, to those of you who have kids, you can imagine what this would mean to a toddler. It would be like a teenage boy having a birthday party at Hugh Hefner's mansion!

So, after two perfect parties, we have a better understanding of what it takes to make a birthday party special. Actually, the kids had tons of fun but I think the parents enjoyed them at least as much. Getting to see your kids laughing and squealing with their friends — now that's a party.

We're Two!!!

Presents! Yea!!!












Is this really for me?













Locke enjoys his new train and tunnel.












Lola and Locke are now two whole fun-filled, action-packed, mind-boggling, thrilling, chilling, hilarious, wondrous years old. We celebrated the big event(s) with a 3-city party tour, kicking things off with a little playgroup birthday party. Then we took the celebration on the road (we actually flew) to Texas where we gathered my family for a pancake and real cake brunch party. And then it was off to Kelly's mom's house for the final leg of the tour -- a 4-day picnicking, hiking, Mexican food-eating extravaganza. Lola and Locke took all the fuss over them in stride. They appreciated all their new toys and clothes but their egos stayed intact and they're still the same sweethearts they always were.

Thanks to all of Lola's and Locke's family and friends for a wonderful birthday!