Oh, and Dave got older too

Just because you have kids doesn't mean that you stop having birthdays. On the contrary, you age twice as quickly and barely have time to register it. Here are some pics of Dave's recent festivities. The day started with me preparing a top secret ENORMOUS Oreo Cookie Cake. Don't be alarmed no actually Oreos were harmed or even used for the cake. You have to kill me or go to Williams and Sonoma though to find out the secret. While I was preparing the baked good, Dave was tending the crops and mowing the lawn which, while they are technically chores, he seems to enjoy them. They definitely rate higher than poopy diapers, reading Thomas the train stories for the nine hundredth billionth time, and driving down I-5 in rush hour. Since one of Mizz's best friend's birthday was that afternoon, I gave Dave the choice of taking Mizz to the party or staying home for some rare quiet time alone in the house while D took his nap. Dave opted for the nap. Unfortunately the D man did not, perhaps wanting to maximize his time with the birthday dad. Oh well...On our way home, I called Dave and informed him to get D and himself ready for dinner. I chose Hopworks and as usual we had a fantastic time. I fully admit that both of my children were occupied with lollipops from the party which most certainly added to the level of peace. I figure you can call CPS when I start only feeding them lollipops every day for dinner (please note the qualifiers because I think I might be on to something here). We then came home to enjoy the cake with our friends Lisa and Steve and their adorable baby. AND the best part was the surprise (to both of us) babysitter that came over so we could go out on the town. Somehow our proverbial wires had crossed or not crossed as the case may be, and I didn't actually think she was going to show up. Bonus! We played video games and walked around downtown Portland and it was so great. All in all, it turned at to be a pretty fantastic day for me. Hopefully Dave enjoyed it as well. Yikes that was a long run down. At least now we'll remember it when we are trying to figure out what the heck we did last year.

Boys in the parks

I think these pictures pretty much speak for themselves. I am so thrilled about all the options for kiddo entertainment in the summer. This week we have spent hours playing in the sandbox and local fountains and also managed to visit four different parks. Mizz is spending more time playing with his peers at the park. It did my heart good yesterday to see him running around with three other five year olds playing ball. No adult intervention needed! Kindergarten here he comes! As for D, he is getting ridiculously strong and agile for his little toddler self. He is able to climb the rock wall now and in general, is willing to jump both feet and head first off of things that are, in my opinion, questionable launching pads. Actually, I suppose, it is the landing surface that are more questionable. The other day I walked into their bedroom to find them both diving off Mizz's TALL bed headfirst. Mizz assurred me that it didn't hurt. They both had bid red bumps on their foreheads. It cracks me up every time I think about it. They love copying each other so much which is a great blessing except when it involves strewing banana peels on the floor, screeching like velociraptors or fighting over who had the toy first/put it down/gave it to me and then changed his mind.

The Mizz turns five!

It should come as a surprise to no one that the usual cliches have been running incessantly through my head recently: "The last five years have passed in a blink! My baby is going to kindergarten soon!, He is so amazing! Really, he is so smart!"

After we gave Mizz a stack of pancakes with a candle, D made his own birthday cake with strawberry candles. He loves singing the Hapty Birfday song to everyone, but mostly to himself.

Look at that cake! My husband can repair smoking refrigerators AND make amazing cakes. Yes he can!

D waiting somewhat patiently for the cake he had been demanding ALL DAY.

The party was a smashing success! We played musical chairs using the Star Wars soundtrack. Duh, duh, duh, da-duh, duhhh, da-da-duh!!!!!!!! It was pretty hilarious watching the marching preschool jedis. Given the size of our yard, the number of kids and balls being wielded, I am happy to report the only injury was one small corn plant. I have never seen Mizz and his friends spend so much drawing, but they made it their personal quest to cover the entire sidewalk in chalk, and by golly they achieved the goal by the end of the afternoon! The party capped off a whole week of fun in the sun with lots of family. Mizz was thrilled to be able to share his day with some of his cousins and grandparents. Sweetly enough, the Mizz didn't even ask about opening presents until around six in the evening, despite the fact that they had been sitting on the mantle all day. Being the easy to please kid that he is, he loved all of them. Dave and I fulfilled all of his wishes...from us he got: fireworks, a bar of soap, and a light table. I still can't get over that he sincerely wanted bar soap. Apparently we have been depriving him with all that liquid nonsense. Also, because Dave and I, well mostly I, go a little manic in toy stores, we also surprised him with a marble track. Fortunately, Dave's birthday is tomorrow, so we can go right on celebrating.