Happy Birthday, Barrett

Dear Barrett,

Happy birthday, eight-year-old!  It's hard to believe that 8 years ago today, you came into this world and turned Daddy and me into parents.  Life as we knew it was over.  Sometimes I wonder what I would do without you...(do do loo, do do loo (that's the sound of us going through a worm hole back in time (a la Wayne's World...when you are older you'll watch this silly show and wonder what planet Daddy and I came from))).

If I hadn't had you eight years ago, I'd probably have lots of really expensive clothes and even more shoes.  I'd probably drive a luxury sedan that smells like new leather instead of dirty socks and spoiled milk.  I would probably have a a white couch, a clean house, and all kinds of beautiful, fragile decorations.  Of course, there would be no little fingerprints or footprints on my refrigerator.  I would probably have fewer gray hairs and wrinkles.  If I hadn't had you, I'd have lots of time for reading, shopping, pedicures and evening strolls.

Yes, if I hadn't had you, I'd be absolutely and completely miserable and desperate to become a mommy.  I wouldn't trade being your mommy for all the shoes and spare time in the world.  If I had not been so lucky to have you eight years ago, I'd be sick of that new car smell and my white couch would be stained from all my tears.  Gray hairs can be dyed and my wrinkles are a testament to living, loving, and laughing.  If I didn't have you, I would have never experienced the excitement of cheering at the top of my lungs over a Little League base hit.  I would have missed the joys of hearing your high-pitched squeals of delight, building forts out of sheets, and driving a pirate ship (that to the untrained eye looked like a giant cardboard box.)  I would have never heard of Butterfly Man or learned to make gluten-free blueberry pancakes.  If you hadn't made me a mommy, I wouldn't have any boo boos to kiss and make better.  Without you, I probably would have lived my whole life without reading a book called Poop and I'm pretty sure I would not know the difference between a Wookie and a Ewok.  I'd have no one to make Christmas cookies with, or take to the pumpkin patch.  Honestly, if I didn't have you, I would have missed the greatest joys in my life.  When you were born, you made me a mommy and in that moment my heart was no longer just inside my body.  Being your mother makes my life richer and more meaningful everyday. You make me want to be a better person.  

You are an amazing kid.  You are so strong and so sensitive and caring at the same time.  Sometimes, you'll come just cuddle up with me or give me a hug for no reason.  I love that! It's really awesome to watch how gentle and protective you are with Annabelle too.  Your voice raises to this sweet, high tone every time you talk to her.  The other day, Annabelle wanted to have a tea party so you ditched your favorite jersey knit shorts (worn for at least 3 days in a row) and stained camp t-shirt for a pair of khakis, a button-up shirt, and fedora so you could play with her.  Another day recently, we went to this indoor bounce house place, and Annabelle didn't want to do anything but ride this little kiddie train that went around in a circle.  She asked you to go with her and even though you were having a ball in the bounce houses, you rode that thing with her more times than I could count.  You are a great brother to Kyle also.  You and Kyle enjoy playing together and building Lego creations.  I have spent many days this summer with various characters such as 2 FBI agents, 2 Army men with their Jeep, 2 Ninjas, 2 Jedi...2 best friends.  Sure, you argue sometimes, but if you didn't care you wouldn't argue with each other.  We built a fort in the game room and you two have spent many hours in there reading, playing, and sleeping.  Sometimes being a big brother requires a little extra responsibility and self-control.  It's not fair, but it's the way it is, and you handle it very well.  I am so proud of you.  Annabelle and Kyle are so lucky to have you as their big brother.

You are a very responsible person.  You are pretty good about cleaning up after yourself and taking care of your things.  You have a bookshelf in your room which you keep very neat and organized. Your baseball cards are all neatly put in plastic sleeves in a binder. You usually know right where your stuff is and if someone moved it.   

Right now you are into computer games like Minecraft and Poptropica, and also Xbox games.  You would probably spend all day playing these kinds of games if we'd let you.  Luckily you also love baseball and basketball, riding your bike, and swimming.  At your baseball games, you usually have your own cheering section including Mommy, Daddy (actually he's one of the coaches), Kyle, Annabelle, Gigi, Grandma, Papa, and Uncle Casey. You should hear Annabelle's sweet little voice saying, "Go, Barrett, go!" (Kind of sounds more like, "Doh, Bearbear, doh!")  You are one lucky kid with a lot of people who care about you very much! 

And I am so lucky to be your mom.  I love you more than words can express.

Love,

Mommy

Right now you love:
Steak
Cheeseburgers
Pringles
Cinnamon toast
Baseball
Chasing (poor little innocent) bunnies around the yard
Magic Tree House books
Legos
GoGurt
Minecraft

Here you are first thing in the morning on your birthday (this is kind of a series or comic strip) :

You slept in the fort, and now you're feeling kinda grumpy about being awakened by me with my camera singing Happy Birthday... 




You spot something out of the corner of your eye, and there's a glimmer of a smile in your eyes. 




Here's comes a happy little sister singing Happy Birthday and saying "Ake up, Bearbear." 




Lots of love and smiles!


And here you are doing your 3 Birthday Missions:

1) Eat your birthday dessert without using your hands


2) Sing and do the Gangnam Style dance in public


3) Dress up like your father and do an impression of him

Puddle Jumping

Checking an item off our summer bucket list - puddle jumping.  The day of Annabelle's party it rained. She had started to feel a little better and even though she wasn't feeling great (hence the tripping-hazard-lip), she decided to put on her winter hat and boots and go play a little in the rain. It was 90 degrees outside.  Kyle got in on the puddle action too...no surprise since I don't think Kyle has ever bypassed a puddle in his life.  And of course, he never misses an opportunity to wear his rubber boots.  In this case, it's one fireman boot and one bicycle boot.


My water lover playing in the rain despite not feeling well...I think she's in a daze.  She had that lip out for about a week. Gotta love this outfit...something about this gives me deja vu...hmmm

Annabelle's Polka Dot Birthday Party

We had Annabelle's birthday party (only a month late) even though she wasn't feeling well.  Annabelle pretty much stayed clinging to the grandparents for the whole party with her bottom lip protruding and looking so pathetic it was cute.  She *almost* cracked a smile when we sang Happy Birthday.  Barrett was, of course, more than happy to blow out Annabelle's candles for her.  It's so hard to watch your child who is normally so cheerful and spunky feel bad.  We are all very glad she is feeling better now.

We had a a game of Twister and the kids painted little bags.  Our polka dotted/round food included: tortilla pinwheels, cheese and pepperoni on Ritz Crackers, Pretzels served with chocolate chip/cream cheese dip (which looked polka dotted), corn dogs sliced into circles, and an assortment of round/sliced fruit...oh, and cheese balls.  Barrett picked up the giant container at the store and I conceded only because of their shape.  I told him just this once and to never ask for them again. (yuck...something about those things just grosses me out.  And now we have a huge container of them leftover...anyone need some cheese balls?) The guests took home polka dot popcorn balls, polka dot beach balls and the bag they painted.  Check out this adorable skirt and shirt my mom made for the occasion!

Fourth of July celebration

We are very fortunate to live in a great community that puts on a fantastic fireworks show each year, complete with a DJ, food trucks, bounce houses, and more.  We invited friends over to celebrate with us at the house before walking over to the lake area to watch the fireworks display.  I love the Fourth of July!

a few snapshots from the day:

  

Beach Vacation 2013

We are back to reality now after being on vacation for a week.

When my mom asked Annabelle what her favorite part of the beach was, she said, "Mommy." I am not sure she fully understood the question but there's probably a little truth to that answer.  Beach Mommy IS pretty great...relaxed, easy-going, doesn't go around yelling and making kids clean up after themselves all the time, and probably the best part is that Beach Mommy is generous with the ice cream trips.  Honestly, Reality Mommy could probably take a few tips from Beach Mommy in the chill out department.

We had a fantastic time at the beach. Usually at the beach we don't venture far from our routine: Wake up, go to beach, stop by the pool on the way back to the house for food and rest time followed by a trip to get ice cream/sno-cones.  This year we got wild and crazy one day and rented a pontoon boat to go out to Shell Island where we searched for shells and went snorkeling.  We found some sand dollars, hermit crabs and a starfish.  We got to see some sea turtle tracks in the sand and dolphins swimming right in front of our boat!



On our first ice cream outing, everyone got ice cream except Cody.  The line was very long at the sno-cone stand and by the time he got his, we were all finished eating our ice cream.  Of course, everyone needed a taste (or two or three...) of his sno-cone to decide if we wanted ice cream or a sno-cone the following day.  The kids were all gathered around him with their mouths open like little starving baby birds.  The next day, we adults hatched our brilliant plan to bring some Coconut Rum in a plastic bottle to top our Pineapple sno-cones.