Happy Birthday & Moving Day

 Happy Birthday/Moving Day!

We happened to pick Jim's birthday for our first official night in the new house.  We closed two days ago, but were hoping to get all the painting done before moving the big stuff in.  We tried really hard, but so far none of the rooms are finished.  In fact, only two are started.  And that is much thanks to my Dad who has helped me non-stop since Monday afternoon.  And my mom who has spent all of that time lining the cupboards with shelf paper and unpacking some basics in the kitchen.  Oh well.  The walls will still be there when we get to them.

The whole day was a whirlwind.  I didn't even get to say goodbye to my neighbors.  I didn't even wish Jim a Happy Birthday until 6:00.  Connie, who kept my children all day, brought us Chinese Food and Grandma Helen's Mint Oreo dessert for our celebration.  It was then, that we all finally sat down - or more like we all collapsed - and took inventory on what is really important...

Family.

 

The kids and I got Jim a game for the Wii.  That present went back in hopes of putting the money towards a flat screen TV.  After moving our big clunker, we both agreed that it's time.

 The best gift came from my folks.  Finally!  Jim's 1st cell phone!!!

So many times he told me that if I ever got him one, he would promptly donate it to a women's shelter.  Finally, after his trip to Chicago last weekend, he agreed that it might be nice to have one.  That was a good thing since my mom and I had gone to the Mac Store that very weekend to get him one.

Almost as good as the phone, was the card.  Inside the punchline is something about how I blew their fortune growing up.  I think it was twice as funny because we're all so exhausted.

Happy Birthday JP!

And Happy Moving Day.

Congratulations to Us

We're MOVING!

 

We're moving!

And that's a good thing, but phew!  These boxes are getting heavy.

Especially this one.  LOL  

My mom brought me a bunch of boxes from the clinic.  I didn't even pay attention to what was written on them.  Most of them have names of paper products or drug companies, but these nice biggins are for vaginal specs.  I wonder what the movers will think.  Wasn't it nice of me to make Dawn pose for the picture?  It was the least I could do after she helped me dumpster dive for packaging materials and packed up my blender*.

There will be things we will miss.  Mia will miss her favorite seat in the side by side fridge. 

The boys will miss the sidewalk for riding their bikes, our steep driveway for coasting down and sledding, our fenced in yard that allowed them to be outside even if I was inside.

Owen might miss this cozy spot that he's been crouching in whenever I dry my hair ever since he was a baby, but as you can see, he's kind of out growing it.  As are we with this house.  The pedestal sink was fine when two of us were standing around it, but with five... well, somebody's toothbrush always lands in the sink just when somebody else is spitting and it would be so nice to have a counter.

There are things we will miss.  Laying in bed with my blind pulled up, staring out at nothing but trees.  Our screen porch which allows us to enjoy the outside even when it's too muddy or rainy to go outside.  Our neighbors, who hop over and help us with anything from refinishing a bathroom to watching the kids while I run to the bus stop.  THE BUS STOP!  Owen will miss riding the bus.  My spice cabinet, the chandeliers, the creak in the stairs that I've learned to step over.  So many things that we love in this house where we started our married life.  This house where we've brought home our babies.

P.S.  A special thanks to Nina, Dawn, Sylena, and my folks who have helped me numerous times in the last month with everything from showings to packing.  Love you guys.

*Special thanks to Dawn for her excellent packing skills.  If you're looking for the blender, it will be split between two boxes.  LOL !

Old Man Winter

 This is what winter has done to Minnesota this year.  And that wouldn't be all that bad except that we're moving in 2 weeks and I have a swing set that needs to moved.  And that wouldn't even be that bad except that the only way to get the swing set out is to take it apart and carry it through...

this gate.  

Wish I had taken a before picture.  This gate was previously buried under 3 feet of snow, and that was after a bunch had melted!  It is suppose to warm up this week, so I thought I'd start a path towards the swing set.  Here's to hoping!

Henry's Wild Kratts 5th Birthday

 

"Who's ready to see some animals?"  

Henry had a Wild Kratts themed birthday party this year.  Owen was sick again and was so disappointed.  Not only is The Wild Kratts his favorite show, but he actually missed out on three birthday parties total during his week long battle with Influenza B.  Nina hired Jamie from the Reptile & Amphibian Discovery Zoo in Owatonna, MN to bring some animals to share.  The presentation was amazing, but we were a little worried when Jamie was more than a half an hour late.  It reminded me of a scene from Parenthood.  Seems like I've been reminded of this movie at another birthday party not so long ago.  I guess that movie that I embraced so many years ago is turning out to be truer to life than I ever thought.

 

Jamie finally found us after a few phone calls and some wrong turns and it was well worth the wait.  I am not exaggerating when I say that this might be the best birthday party I have ever been to.  He started with a red-eyed tree frog from Central America. The frog was sleeping when he first showed us his container, but when he gently lifted him out, we were amazed at his brilliant colors.

 

Everyone loved this animal. Just before this video, he took a giant leap towards me.  I was so surprised by the length of his legs.  He really captured our attention with this first animal.

 

Next, he brought out a snapping turtle.  Notice the reaction of little Maggie, Henry's cousin.

 

Henry had a similar opinion of this one.  Evan was unphased by any of the animals.  Guess going to preschool at Dodge has taken some of the glamour out of reptiles.

 

Jamie was great with kids and really made an effort to make the birthday boy feel special.  The kids asked the funniest "questions."  After Jamie explained that one of the animal's diet included worms, one boy raised his hand to exclaim, "Sometimes worms come out when it's not raining."  Jamie responded, "Yep, well, that's a bad day," to the response of many chuckling adults.  Immediately another child raised his hand to add, "and then sometimes birds will bring the worms up to their nest!"  Jamie said, "Well, luckily it won't be long."  The kids were satisfied with these answers and the rest of us were in stitches, but Jamie didn't miss a beat.  He kept the pace of the program going, answered all of the kids' "questions," gave us many wonderful facts and left us loving these sometimes-not-so-lovable animals.

  Preston, who is two, seen next to Henry, was not afraid of any of the animals. Whenever Henry was reluctant, Preston was right there to take over.

I can't remember exactly what we saw anymore, but in addiction to the red eyed tree frog, the alligator snapping turtle, and the red footed tortoise, we also saw at least three kinds of lizards, a salamander, an alligator, and three snakes.  This one is a ball python and was, in my opinion, the prettiest.

 

When he brought this one out of a pillow case from a giant trunk, it's head was less than two feet from mine.  Nina's mom and I were slightly terrified, but Evan, who was wedged between us, lit up.  On the way home from the party, he asked me if we could get a snake.  Oh please, please don't tell me I have to get a snake!

 

Nina made the cutest thematic alligator cupcakes.  It was a great party.  The best!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HENRY!

I hope it was a day you'll never forget.  I know we won't.