A Bunny Birthday

Today J turned 2. She is officially past the baby stage, and I am full of mixed emotions.
It has been fun to watch her grow and learn new things, to speak and interact more with the world around her. She loves to jump, dance, listen to music, read picture books, and look at photographs of herself and her siblings. She also loves bunnies.

Since her birthday falls close to Easter (she missed Easter by three days when she was born), I thought it would be the perfect idea to have a bunny-themed birthday for her. The stores have plenty of bunny decor in the Easter section, and I had some Beatrix Potter cupcake liners and picks left from last year when I couldn't  make up my mind what kind of party I wanted to throw for her.

So at the beginning of the COVID-19 craziness, I headed out to get groceries and party supplies for her birthday. Annie's has a whole line of bunny-themed products, so I stocked up to be prepared, even though her birthday was a few weeks away at the time. 

The day was a full one. I arose early to wrap the presents, since I had somehow put it off until the Very Last Minute. By the time I was done, a couple of kids were up and ready for breakfast. J soon followed. Cocoa Bunnies cereal was the star of the morning for the kids, although I think J spilled more of hers on the floor than she actually ate. I was trying to clean up some of the kitchen when she found her presents, brought one to the table, and started to try to open it. It was then that we decided that opening presents would need to happen promptly if we were to witness the process as a family.

Still in our jammies, we gathered together to watch J open her gifts, filming the opening of those from family who could not join us because of social distancing. She quickly got the hang of it, and became quite efficient in tearing into her new toys, books, and other gifts. When it was all over, we moved to clean up the mess while she and the other kids tried out the new playthings.

Most of the day was average, but she did refuse to take a nap. All. Day. Long. I thought for sure she would crash at dinner, but, like the Energizer bunny, she kept going and going. I am sure it was my fault for choosing a bunny theme.

We ended our day with bunny-shaped mac and cheese (one of her favorite foods) with ham and vegetables for dinner. This was followed, of course, by bunny-themed desserts. I debated making a carrot cake, but she wanted chocolate. I used the cupcake liners I had, and I used some of the cake to mold a small bunny just for J. As if that were not enough, I had purchased some Lindt chocolate bunnies for the kids to enjoy as well.

Unfortunately, J did not like having us sing "Happy Birthday" to her. She started crying and protesting, "No... No!" After K helped her blow out the candles, she willingly tasted the bunny cake, especially enjoying picking the eyeballs off with her fork and eating them. She thought it was funny.

The evening was spent outside, running off the sugar energy. J and I went for a walk around the neighborhood, looking for wild bunnies (we didn't see any), followed by a bath and bedtime. She truly is a joy to have in our family, and I am blessed to have watched her grow the past two years.

K's Eleventh Birthday

As I had told the older kids we would only be celebrating with family this year, K did not enjoy the shenanigans of a party like she did last year. This is not to say she did not enjoy her birthday. She had requested Tunnel of Fudge Cake for her cake, a choice based on the phenomenon of her remembering Timothy celebrating with that cake when she was a mere 2 1/2 years old. I was not sure if her expectations would be met as sometimes memories improve experiences above and beyond reality. However, as she took that first bite of cake, her face reflected her approval, and I sighed with relief.

The day went much like many others, with K allowed a lighter load at school but still attending a full afternoon of ballet. She finished late, but we waited for her and enjoyed her choice of ribs, creamy potatoes (and creamy sweet potatoes for Timothy), and vegetables for dinner, followed by cake and presents. It wasn't a birthday that was especially remarkable, but, at the end of the day, I believe I had a happy girl on my hands. Happy 11th, sweetheart!

AJ's Ninth Birthday

AJ turned nine this week. All week long, he eyed his growing stash of presents and begged to open just one early. We finally agreed to allow him to open one present on his birthday eve, but this was due to the fact that his little brother had already spoiled the surprised and told him what it was. 

For his birthday dinner, AJ chose to visit a hibachi restaurant over the weekend. It was fun to see S laughing and reacting to the experience of fire and culinary acrobatics, and AJ seemed content as well.

His actual birthday was filled with school, a trip to a trampoline park, and an evening celebration.

On his birthday evening, we ate dinner, devoured cake (he chose Boston cream pie this year), opened presents, and the kids watched Lady and the Tramp. It was much more relaxing than hosting a party of his friends and ensuring everyone was entertained and happy. 

AJ read The Lord of the Rings books this past year, and he was thrilled to receive a Frodo costume, complete with Sting, for his birthday. His other presents included a fluorescent yellow shirt and sweatshirt (which he loves), footed pajamas, an electric toothbrush, a green light-saber, and the fourth book in a series he is reading.  

At the end of the day, I had one happy boy. Success.

S Turns Two

His ice cream car "cake"

My vibrant, mischievous, energetic boy turned two this month. I love my little toddler, but he sure is a handful. He loves making messes, destroying his siblings' Lego creations, and many other antics know to toddlers. He also loves to sing and read with me, and he gives wonderful hugs and kisses. Oh, and when he looks at me with his big blue eyes, I melt into a puddle of motherly mush.

My sweet boy also does not like cake. I learned that when I tried to serve him his siblings' birthday cakes this year. I was at a loss of what to do other than serve him plain ice cream, and I finally decided to put some ice cream into a car cupcake mold I have to create a car-shaped ice cream "cake".

Oooh, what's in there?

Blowing out the candles

Opening presents