Toast 2 Mom

New Boots

My shoe girl scored four new pairs of shoes for her birthday....and trust me, she loves them all! Today's shoe of choice was her new flashy pink boots! 

Cheekers is Four!!

Today Miss Natalie Cheekers is four! It's been birthday party extravaganza this weekend. Yesterday we had Natalie's party here at our house. We had an "animal" themed party. We couldn't decide between her love of squirrels, cats, dogs and other furry things - that we just went "animal". The kids wore noses. We had animal "foods" and did animal art work and games. This morning it was time to open the oodles of presents that got shipped her way over the past week and delivered by the "present truck" or the UPS truck to others. After that, we were off to another birthday party at a classmate's house. There were no issues in this - having a party on her birthday. Why would she be upset? This party had pony rides! So parties, presents, cake, more cake, games, balloons, art, ponies.Yeah, turning four is pretty awesome!

I simply could not pick and choose my photos very well today. So here are many that captured our weekend!

Baby Blur

My baby is sick and it's like I just realized how fast children really grow. 

We say it all the time as parents - make every moment last, it goes by so fast. I know this. I live this and think this all the time. But until certain examples are set in front of us, it's really hard to realize.

I am a part of a mom's book club right now. It's a lot about finding balance, finding "me" time and being ok asking for help, etc. I feel a bit out of place in this group because I have the oldest children in the group. Several have very young babies. And even during these conversations about the beginning stages with a baby - I've simply forgotten most of the hazy days. My days are way different than their days.

My girls are so grown up now. Sure, they need me - a bit. I'm still their food slave and lullaby provider. But a lot of my caring and nurturing days are long behind me. That is until they become sick...

My Cheekers has had a cold pretty much all week. And she has really felt and acted rotten. With this, I didn't realize how many things were behind me now that my girls are more independent versus the steps that are needed to keep a baby healthy and happy. So having a sick child this week - it's definitely been refresher course.  

My days have been filled with extra snuggles and more carrying around the house and dressing assistance and wiping this and that and cutting food and giving medicine and a lot of extra clean up....oh and dealing with a lot of whining!

Yep, just like when they were babies, there are beautiful moments mixed in with pure and total frustration. I love, love, love to baby my kids. I miss those itty-bitty days more than anything. But this week I realized how I don't miss the crying and whining and trying to figure out how to make it better right away.

So it's been an interesting learning week for me, I guess. As much as I have been sad here and there that my girls aren't as needy as they used to be, I really don't have to solve their tear problems as much as I used to either. They fight with each other. We argue over what is acceptable to wear. I urge them to brush their teeth faster. I bribe them to finish their dinner. I reward them for manners. I do a lot of different things now. But when my baby is just fussing and whining in my arms because they don't feel well and that's only the thing to do..... well I feel awful about that.....but I sure don't miss it.

Meanwhile - my baby is napping now. And we're crossing our fingers she is in party spirit for her birthday party tomorrow. Because this girl has too much spunk to cry at her own party. 

A Nose By Any Other Name

We spent the day at the doctor today. Sweet Cheeks has an ear infection. We had to get that taken care of before the birthday girl's big weekend. 

Our party theme attire accessories/favors arrived in the mail. A brief teaser to our party theme is below. It was hard to come up with an idea this year. Cheekers has so many different loves and interests. We think the one we're going with will be lots of fun!

Under the Weather

It's rainy, dreary and my mini-me has a cough. Nothing better than some couch time with a furry, sweet friend!

You Just Can't Not Have a Cupcake

Even though the Daddio isn't really that much into birthdays.....you can't have a birthday, and a big milestone like this one, and not have a cupcake! We've had a lot of fanfare leading up to Hubby's big day (and it's today), but having a birthday on a Monday takes some spark out of it. But the girls always make birthday celebrations extra, extra special!  We hope it was a great birthday Hubby/Daddio!

Hike

We decided to take a family hike this morning. The girls are taking a nap now before the rest of our festivities begin today. They each have a birthday party this afternoon. Then they are going to a Girls Night Out event tonight at their dance studio - pizza, dress-up, dancing, music. Yes, I hope they are resting well now. 

The Hubby and I, therefore, have a date night tonight. And this will make two date nights in a row! We got a sitter last night. We went rock climbing and then to see the new Mark Wahlberg movie at the new plush movie theater. It was fun - and I really like that new theater....but's it's expensive. 

So, so far a pretty good birthday weekend for the birthday boy! Not sure what's in store for tomorrow yet.