august

Monday, July 11, 2011

The Neverending Birthday Story

Dear little blog, I have neglected you. I have traded my keys for black or blue pen ink, my lovely, easily edited rectangle of self-expression for college rule and lots of strike lines and errors. All my words go to SquidRecruit, and I'm not sure whether he likes that or not, because I have lots of words. But I promise to be more faithful, and to get caught up.

First thing you need to know is that Bug was born on July 6th, and Sugarplum came almost five full years later on July 1st.

Second, you need to know that this year, we've been celebrating their birthdays since June 7th. Yes, that's right. I can hear your gasps of horror, seasoned mothers of military brats...go easy on me. I'm learning.

We celebrated for three days with Daddy before he left. We celebrated on the actual days. We celebrated with separate sets of grandparents. We celebrated with a family party as well as a sleepover. And now, unless there is a surprise party no one told me about, we may finally be finished. Don't get me wrong, I love birthdays- especially my babies' birthdays. I'm pretty sure they should be national holidays. However, it appears that I am birthday'd all the way out. I have just enough energy from the leftover cake to recap.

We'll start with Sugarplum Fairy, because although she lacks seniority, she wins in the calendar race. Sugarplum wanted a birthday alliteration: pancakes, popsicles in the park, and possibly a pony ride. It was overall a good day, all wishes granted, but oh my goodness did that child want her Daddy. More than other days. It's amazing what such a tiny little person can perceive. I have to say, as much as I hate that I can't do anything for her when Daddy is all she wants, I adore her for knowing she deserves his time, deserves his presence and attention. She may not get it every time she wants it, but I love how she knows she's entitled to it. Here is my favorite moment from her day:

We braved 4th of July weekend in Tourist Town head-on to get to the final birthday wish. That, my friends, is called love. She had four ponies to choose from, and of course, of course,  she chose the one named "Ms. Priss"- they were a match made in Heaven. Pretty as can be and slightly stubborn to lead, but a total joy. Bug's pony "Patches" was much more cooperative, but slightly hyper. Another match well made.

Bug chose a day at the pool, an Egyptian restaurant, ice cream on a deck, and a twilight ride to our favorite tiny airport to see planes because they make him think of Daddy, but in a happy way. I'm with him on that. Oh and before you get too impressed with my little adventurer's choice of Egyptian food, I must tell you: he goes there for the grilled cheese. Sadly his pool day was cut short by storms, but he insisted it was still "The best birthday ever...well one of them, I should just say that, 'cause how do I know what I thought about my birthday when I was really young, like two?" Here's my favorite Bug birthday moment:
 

The owner of the restaurant plopped this down on his head, and being the ham he's always been, he rolled with it. And for those of you who peruse backgrounds...that is my brother, father of my precious precious niece Moo, from now on referred to as Jarhead (Yes, he's a future Marine. It's in the water around here.) in a mullet hat/wig combo, also pulled from the restaurant owner's wide array of costumery. I think he looks extra fancy. And Bug, as always just looks spectacular. This kid could rock anything.

I wouldn't trade those days, and the other five or ten or so of celebrating for the world...but I wished with all my heart that our SR could have been there. The kids did get some pretty amazing "cards" from a certain naval base in Great Lakes, complete with highlighter yellow embellishments. I really do love that man, and I'm hoping and praying that next year he and his endless ingenuity are here with us to celebrate two extra candles being blown out. SR...our babies. All our lives rolled into two little people. Yours and mine- too big, too fast.

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