Embracing Chaos: The Buzz Lightyear PARTY!

I absolutely love birthdays. The older I get the more I love them. I think every day of life should be celebrated, but especially that special day that comes only once a year. Drew began his birthday celebration a bit early while Grammy & Pa were here visiting so Mike and I could go to Philly. We came home and Grammy had bought a pretty cake and present for Drew to open. They also tapped into Ollie's favorite hobby with a small present for him.

On the back porch he opened a Thomas the Train which when shaken will go very fast across the floor. You know he loves something when it becomes a toy he wants to sleep with at night. He's attached to his toys, but especially those that were given with love.

Ollie, too, loved the present that was given to him. If there is anything that could be given to Ollie, this would be it. Bubbles. He loves bubbles. I think he asks to do bubbles constantly. He pronounces it so clearly. You cannot be mistaken about what he wants to do every afternoon when we get home from school. He wants bubbles. The worst part, for me, about doing bubbles with Ollie is that you will inevitably get a huge meltdown when trying to get him to come inside and put the bubbles down. I assume it is much like what a police officer says to someone when asking them to put a gun down and don't shoot. It goes something like this, "Ollie, put down the bubble wand. Put the bubble wand down." Tears ensue. He stomps his feet really hard and gives you a really really sad face, but alas it is dinner time and he must get inside. He's tough when he wants something. He's entering toddlerhood for sure!

After we finally did get Ollie into the house, we ate dinner and then enjoyed the cake that Grammy & Pa bought for Drew. We lit candles and once again he would not blow them out. Grammy had to help. He was way more fascinated with the decoration on the cake and wanted to stick his fingers in the icing.

Later in the week, Drew had a party at school. I, mother of the year, made cupcakes for him to take to school on Friday. He loves cupcakes. Really, who doesn't?? He had a great day at school. It was his last day in the little boy classroom. On Monday he moved up to the big boy room with all of his other friends who had moved up a month earlier. It had been a tough month without his normal pals to see everyday.

After cupcakes on Friday, we made our way to the big party on Saturday morning. If anyone knows Drew, they know that Drew is not the kid who is asking for attention. Taking that into consideration, parties with all the attention on him are not always a good idea :) He is a shy, introverted little boy. I don't know if he'll always be that way, but he is certainly a shy little guy right now.

A few weeks ago I wasn't sure what to do for his party, but I wanted to see if he would get on a bouncey. We spent on afternoon a few weeks ago at a place called "kangazoom". As soon as we walked in the door, Drew turned to Mike and said, "Daddy, I don't wanna do this." I held out and paid the fee for he and Ollie to bounce. Ten minutes later after Daddy showed him how it could be really fun, he decided he would try it. By the time we had left we decided that we definitely would have his party there.

We invited about 5 kids from his class and they had a ball! Evan, Ella, Alex, Molly, and Jacob were so fun. They would swarm from one area to the next. This place was perfect. Very clean! Lots of bounceys all in one location. They could run from one to another in a matter of steps. Some of them had large slides, others were more traditional. It was a great time. The only downside of having the party there was that they actually expected Drew to have a "party." He didn't particularly want to stop bouncing. He didn't really want a parade where everyone chanted his name as he was supposed to be the line leader into the party room. He didn't want to eat pizza. He didn't want to eat cake. He did not want to have people sing happy birthday to him. He had some meltdowns during this whole part....then when it was all over he asked me, "Mommy, I need go bounce." Okay Drew.... and so he bounced for another hour or so and then all his friends had to go home and we went home too.

I must say, I do love Drew's friends. They are all adorable and sweet and funny. I sometimes find myself thinking.... how is it possible that their kids never have a meltdown?? Seriously, all of them are so well behaved and do exactly as they are told. Then there are my children. Granted, it was his birthday, and he can cry on his birthday if he wants to, but my goodness - it would have been nice to have a day free of crying.

On another note, we got home and asked Drew if he wanted to open presents. I never knew present opening could be so slow. I don't think he finished opening presents for two days. He would open one and then spend the next several hours playing with the new item. The biggest mistake was allowing Drew to open one more present before bedtime. Mandy and Patrick gave him a race track for some very fast cars. It needed to be put together and then he wanted to play with it for another hour or so before he would settle down. I am going to have to cut them off from giving presents. Seriously, though, all the presents were really thoughtful. He is enjoying all of them.

Then, Sunday was his actual birthday. I am not sure what we did on his actual birthday other than eat more cake.

We had a great birthday week with Drew. He is still singing "Happy Birthday to Me" and doing a silly dance while singing. I know everyone thinks he's really quiet and he is, at times. However, when he's in the comfort of his own home he has plenty to say or sing. He's such a silly little boy. And, his mood can go from 0 to 60 in 2 seconds flat. Lately, his favorite thing is to come up to me or his daddy and say, "Mommy, I love you." or "Daddy, I love you." It will come at the most random moments and I love it.

Yes, this is the blog that never ends. Do you know how hard it is to get all of this down with two kiddos?? There is no time to write blogs anymore.

SO.... On Tuesday, Drew had his 3 year old doctor's appointment. I cannot believe my baby is 3. Where has the time gone? Seriously! So, with that said, I made Mike take Drew to the doctor for his appointment. He is at the 50% on height and weight. He brought his bear and monkey to the appt with him. He was a trooper and earned a pack of fruit snacks for the ride home. Mike called me on the way home and gave Drew the phone to talk to me. He kept saying how much he "no like bandaid". He did very well. What's also funny to me is how Dr. Chastain feels the need to call me on my cell phone to let me know how the appointment went and give me test results after Mike and Drew have left the office. I love that my pediatrician spends time calling her patients and doesn't delegate those tasks to the nurse. Mike sent me a picture of Drew in the waiting room. He looks a bit scared, but it turned out fine. No shots :) He did get the flu shot, but it wasn't really a shot - just a nasal thing.