Pumpkin Patch Birthday Party

This year, Ryan's Birthday Party was finally all about HIM!  Not that he hasn't enjoyed the past 3 years - where we invited all of our friends (mostly adults, and a few kids) over for food  and drink to celebrate his big day, but we thought it was time for a change.  He has been invited to several of his classmates' parties, and in turn was asking if they could be invited to his party as well.  Knowing our house is not big enough to host a true "kids party," I began searching for venues and was delighted to find a local farm where we could do a low key party at a fairly reasonable price.  Actually, when I subtract all of the money we have spent on beer the past few years, this year's party was the cheapest yet!  And not having it at our house meant no clean up - perfect!  We had 16 kids in attendance, ranging in age from 4 1/2 months to 6 years old, with most hovering around age 4.  All of the classmates we invited from Ryan's school attended, and he was ecstatic to spend time with them outside of school.  It was obvious that these kids spend a lot of time together, they interact so well and are at the age where friendships really are forming and developing.  Everyone had a GREAT time!  After playing in the hay maze and empty tires for awhile, the kids then explored the petting zoo area, went on a hayride, picked out pumpkins, ate pizza, cake, and played some more.  The party was a great success and it was nice getting to know some of Ryan's classmates and their parents a little bit better.  And Ryan loved every minute of it...Happy 4th Birthday Ryan!

Last Beach Weekend...

 In mid September, we packed up our swimsuits, beach towels, and sunscreen and made one last trip to to the beach.  Thanks to the Ruhnos for opening their beach house to all of us for the second year in a row.  The weather was absolutely perfect, and we made the most of our last beach weekend, spending 7 straight hours in the sand on Saturday.  Ryan had a blast playing with Anna and Charlie, while the adults soaked up the sun, and laughed more than I had in months.  It was a great time with a great group of friends, definitely a new tradition in the making!  Unfortunately we didn't get any pictures on the beach, but plenty of the kids impromptu dance party on Friday night before bed...Already looking forward to next year!!  Thanks again Ed and Meghan for hosting...

We have been waiting for this day....

Catching up...

I realized last week that I haven't updated my blog since late August!  A lot has happened since then - we spent another glorious weekend at the beach in NJ with friends, I got a new job, we put our house on the market and started searching for a new house, and Ryan turned 4!  With so many changes, and even more to come, it was easy to put the blog on the back burner.  However, the constant stream of hilarious remarks from my now FOUR year old, along with the emotions all of life's changes stir up, make it even more important than ever to update this blog, no matter how busy I am.  I am vowing to catch up on life via the blog, and continue to use it to document our lives.  Stay tuned......

Happy Birthday to Ryan

Today Tim and I joined Ryan's class in celebrating his birthday.  We sang Happy Birthday to him, along with his friends and teachers, and then stayed to watch them slow dance with each other (!) and have show and tell.  Ryan was so excited to have us there, and it was really fun to see all the kids interact.  And nothing could top watching them dance with each other, or seeing the little boys extend their arm and say "may I have this dance?"  Growing up so fast....






Happy Birthday to Me :)

Having a kid makes birthdays even that much more exciting - and for those of you that know me, you know I already got pretty excited about them before!  Earlier this month, we were on vacation in the Outer Banks when the calendar flipped from July to August.  On August 1st, Ryan asked us what day it was (as he does almost every single day!) and when we told him it was August, he shouted with glee "Yay!!! August!!!  It's almost Mommy's BIRTHDAY!!!"  Adorable.  Last week we were discussing my birthday and he asked how old I would be, and I replied "36."  He then replied quickly " 36? That's really old!!" Not adorable.  Today the subject of my age came up again and this time he said "You don't look that big!"  And he redeemed himself :)

We had plans to travel to NY to visit family and celebrate Tim's grandmother's 85th birthday this weekend, but those plans were derailed by the approach of Hurricane Irene.  We decided to stay close to home to make sure everything is ok during the storm.  So instead of waking up in Albany, I woke up in the house I love living in, for what may be my last "city birthday."  (I have said that the past 2 years though!)  I went for a run as the sun rose, and then came home to a surprise breakfast party planned and prepared by my two favorite guys.  I enjoyed my egg sandwich, yogurt and coffee, and counted my blessings.  Maybe 36 isn't so bad after all.

Birds and the Bees...Take 2

The questions just keep on comin'....

Ryan: "How did I come out of your belly?"
Me: (Stalling) "Umm...what do you mean?"
Ryan: "How did I get out of your belly?  Did your body crack?"
Me: "No...you came out through a hole"
Ryan: (Looking at my upper body and down my tank top) "There?" (pointing to cleavage)
Me: "No, lower down."
Ryan: (not satisfied and starting to look closer at my belly and shorts) "Where?"
me: "never mind.  Um, do you want to go to the playground?" (Distractions - works every time!)

The Birds and The Bees...

The following conversation took place no more than 10 minutes ago, and I had to document it as soon as possible, before I forgot...
Ryan and I were driving by the apartment Tim and I lived in prior to the house we live in now.  We were engaged and married in that apartment, but we didn't have Ryan until we moved to this house...

Me: Ryan, that is where Daddy and I used to live
Ryan: You did?  Was I in your belly then?
Me: No, you were not born yet or in my belly
Ryan: Where was I then? I wasn't born - I was dead?
Me: No, you were not dead.  You just were not made yet.
Ryan: Made? You MAKE people?? How do you do that?
Me: (starting to realize I chose the wrong words) Um...you just do
Ryan: You painted my skin?
Me: No...
Ryan" You put my head on and put me all together?
Me: Um, no....
Ryan: Well then how did you MAKE me?
Me: (holding back laughter) Um....Why don't you ask Daddy that question when we get home...

Goodbye OBX