Right after Alma left, Dave set sail for Bend for one week for work. The boys and I have become a lean mean machine and the week flew by quickly and relatively easily. We missed Dave to be sure, and seeing the boys' faces when they first see him almost always makes up for the inconvenience and loneliness that sometimes accompanies Dave's travels. In any case, Dave got back Friday night just in time for Grandpa Jerry to arrive. Which pretty much put the boys over the moon. That is until, Saturday morning which was D's birthday when they pretty much went into deep orbit (or whatever space metaphor is appropriate). I can't really begin to adequately capture how much I love the kid's birthdays. In addition to my own wonder and reflection about the past year, the day was so vivid and
visceral because it was so easy to soak up the sheer joy that both D and Mizz were experiencing about getting older and all the accompanying festivities (CAKE! BALLOONS! DECORATIONS! CANDLES! and the "Hapty To You" song). I remember loving my birthdays so much as a kid, so perhaps the joy is genetic. Although I have to admit, that as I approach 34, I wouldn't mind slowing down the aging part a bit. Things I loved about the party: my friends that came and shared the occasion, the fact that D and Mizz were so happy and at ease with everyone and everything, watching the kiddos go crazy over the pinata, the delicious food (thank you everyone who made things), and the fact that it was the first absolutely perfect weather day of the season. We lucked out big time. Plus, D can have bragging rights in kindergarten that he was the only kid to have the cops bust up his two year old birthday party. Just kidding. The cops actually were checking out something a couple houses away but had parked right in front of our house which made for some fun photo opportunities.
There was no sense of denouement the next day as the celebration continued with Mother's Day. Leftover Mexican food made for some yummy omelets, as did leftover Margarita for my brunch libations. Max giddily allowed me to open the present he had made for me at school--some pretty cut out flowers. I got to spend time admiring our freshly spruced up springtime yard, including the fuchsia plant that my very thoughtful father-in-law had surprised me with the day before. D was fairly rough around the edges from too much partying so he took an early nap during which Dave and I made an escape to the waterfront, while Mizz played with Grandpa. Dave and I were accompanied by 94% of Portland's families. Everyone and their mother (hah!) was out celebrating the glorious weather and the day. Dave and I walked the entire length like back in the olden days pre-kids. It was amazing to spend the time connecting with Dave, watching other families, and reflecting on our own. I am so lucky and loved and in love. Um, this is getting to be a long post.... so long in fact, I am not going to take the time to read over it. I hope it makes some kind of sense.
Look at those curls. Now every time he climbs in that chair he asks for a cupcake. For those of you that care, we had lemon cupcakes (stuffed with lemon curd magic) and a Chocolate Kahlua Cake. Dave rocks.
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