Happy Birthday JT!!!

My baby is officially FIVE!! That's just creepy and scary to me!! Somebody needs to invent something to keep kids (and moms) from aging!! If I could keep my kids at the ages they are, I would. I love the dynamics we have now...I still have a baby since Nate is only 2 but he is pretty independent and I have a big boy who is still young enough to think Mommy is the best. My kids' birthdays are hard for me. I am happy and sad at the same time...but today was fun for all of us.

The day started with Daniel and I rolling out of bed early so that Daniel could have breakfast and open presents with the kids. Last night, I baked blueberry bread (JT's favorite breakfast) in a cake pan so that we could do a 'cake' for breakfast. We lit the candles and burst into the boys' room waking them up with a LOUD Happy Birthday song. Of course, with me holding the cake and Daniel filming...we didn't get any pics. But we re-did the candles and cut the cake at the table before breakfast. You can tell it is early because we are a mess!!

After that, we opened gifts at the table that I decorated last night. It was so fun watching the kids freak out!! JT got lots of nice gifts from us and some from their aunt (my sister Hahnee). Daniel left for school and the boys played with their toys forever. We played 'store' about a billion times.

Nate put his baby bear in the shopping cart and only bought balloons!! So cute!

For lunch, JT proclaimed he wanted Mac & Cheese...because I told him he could eat whatever he wanted all day. So, I happily agreed if they also had salad. Hey, very little cooking is always a plus! Daniel came home for lunch and announced that we had a package at the post office! Hooray! More gifts!!

After lunch, we drove like mad to the post office to pick up the package. Guess what? It was closed for lunch! I had an hour to kill so I was bummed. Nate had fallen asleep and I was holding him when I walked up to the office. BUT...wait!! A nice, helpful employee?! (Now, this is crazy and very unusual for the island) She opened the door to say they were closed...when I told her I only wanted to pick something up. She looked at Nate sleeping and said that she would make an exception, just this once. THANK YOU! So, that was a lucky and happy ending to what could have been a miserable experience for me. A security guard even carried the package to the car for me! The locals really DO like kids and I am so grateful. So, we ran home and opened gifts from my mom. Birthday gifts for the boys and household goodies for me. Thanks Mom! What a happy day!

*Pretty Moment of the Day* So...after playing with all our new toys, we headed to the AUC playground for some running around. We played tag until I thought I would have a heart attack (I seriously need exercise) and had a great time. As we headed home, it started to rain. So we ran to stand under the nearest tree for some shelter. After brushing the rain off my arms, completely irritated, I looked at my kids to see if they were ok. JT was happily skipping around in the rain and he looked at me and said, "This is just what we needed, Mommy, since we were hot from running. Today is a perfect day!" Nate was catching rain water in his hands and smiling. If I could freeze a moment from today, that would be it. My two boys staring at the sky, happy that the rain was cooling them off. And a moment before, I was annoyed! That'll teach me, for sure. Adults are so negative and kids are so awesome! If only I could remember to think like that...

Back home, we went on the computer and read all the ecards people sent which JT loved. Thanks everyone! The day closed out with JT's choice for dinner: PB&J and Sunchips. I was thrilled! How many meals can Mom get away with without actually cooking? Hmm...

At bedtime, JT said his birthday was really happy. I think it was. I wish I was five.