The summer, for our house, is chock full of birthdays. Sarah starts it off today turning a whopping 17. Rich and I have birthdays in July, and Andrew and Bella are a week apart in August. This poses a few problems, not the least being the breaking our summer bank account.
First, I have to be on my birthday game. I love love love birthdays. I love making birthdays special and this is hard on my brain when so many are so close together. The second issue is more a matter of the heart. I have to watch my family (and myself) get older all within a 3 month span. It is hard for me to look back and see how much the kids have changed and how amazing and independent they are becoming. I am so proud and happy, but it is hard because I love being a mom and as each year goes by the less momming they need.
I was very excited when Sarah told us that she wanted to have some friends over this evening for her birthday. I started looking at Pinterest to see what cool stuff I can do. I started planning my baking of her favorite red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting and the menu for dinner. You can imagine my utter devastation when she informed Rich and I that she only wanted a few pizzas (and a bag of Doritos), it was only “hanging out”, and there would be no singing of happy birthday or blowing out candles. The child didn’t even want a cooler full of sodas and ice, she said they could drink the sodas warm.
Oh great why don’t we just eat off of non matching paper plates.
I wonder if I can get my deposit back on the bounce house and pony rides…
She finally agreed to a cooler full of soda (and ice) and a cake with candles and a round of Happy Birthday.
She loves me after all.
Don’t even get me started on presents. Bella still gives me a birthday wish list, but Sarah and Andrew are at the “cash only” stage.
Sarah, today, will get some cash to spend at our afternoon at the mall, a few presents to open, a “hang out” only, and pizza and a bag of Doritos.
I will get a decorated birthday cake, cold sodas, and matching paper plates. I will also get the privilege of spending the day with this beautiful birthday girl.
Considering those days are quickly coming to an end, I was happy to compromise.
OK, heart, one down…four to go.
More Later
Amy
