birthday photos

Happy Birthday Brixton

Celebrations

We've had a string of good celebrations for Chris's birthday, my birthday and Mother's Day. We had a lovely picnic in the park, complete with soccer and gymnastics. I insisted that my family take me out to Japanese food, which no one likes but me. At least I get to go once a year. This time Unity actually liked some things so maybe there is hope yet. 

For Chris's birthday, Unity was at a slumber party so we got a sitter for Brixton and went out. We had dinner and drinks with some friends and it was really nice. A good way to celebrate another year. 

Breaking the geode

One of Unity's presents for her birthday was a large dusty rock. We were all a bit puzzled until her friend explained that it's a geode and you get to smash it. 

Ok, that's a good present. So, on went the swim goggles and outside we went to hammer away at the thing. Finally it cracked open to show us the glittery white crystals hiding inside. 

Birthday joy

Our Unity is now 8 years old. We've been able to celebrate with a houseful of relatives, which is always fantastic. My mom helped us plan and run the panda-themed birthday party. The kids had fun making panda masks and other fun crafts. She is definitely taller than last year. Always growing, always keeping us on our toes. She's loving and loyal, generous and goofy. Happy birthday to Unity!

Family time

My parents just left and we already miss them so much. We had such a great visit with lots of reading and drawing and just hanging out with the grandparents. 

Brixton was able to share his new reading skills and we continued the family tradition of marking his height on the wall. Chris forgot what year it was so it's a little messy but it's still there- man, they grow!

We stumbled across a collection of antique fire engines in Ballard and the owner was nice enough to give us a tour of his warehouse. It was pretty amazing to see the old engines and all in pristine condition.

We are so thankful that they got to help us celebrate Brixton's birthday and we are looking forward to the next time when we can be together again.

Happy Birthday Brixton!

This guy. Our superhero storyteller. Our dynamic drummer. Our builder of towers, our all day snuggler. And, he's five. Happy Birthday Brixton Marcel.

Celebrate good times

It has been a full on celebration for the past week. I'm used to sharing my birthday, I've done it my whole life. My birthday has always been sandwiched between my grandma's and my brother's, so when I was little it was always close to a week of celebrations. When I first met Chris and he told me his birthday is the day before my grandma's, I almost fell off my chair. 

Just to add a little twist to this busy time, I managed to injure my calf muscle in Zumba class last Monday night. So, a lot of my week looked like this: 

            It doesn't hurt much, it's mostly just super inconvenient. Chris has been a champ helping me out,
and we joke about how we switched places. He has a new understanding of how hard it is to try and be a caretaker along with all the other responsibilities of house and kids,  and I have a new understanding of how staying in bed all day makes you crazy.

I have some crutches so I can get around a bit. I have to stay off it for another week, and then I can do some physical therapy and start moving forward. So it's really just a small setback.

Unity made me a felt bird in a cage for a Mother's Day/birthday present. 

We had a party weekend, with a party for Chris and I, and then two other birthday parties for friends. 

Whew. It was tons of fun though.

                                                      A sneak peak of a present I got for myself. Stay tuned.

Birthday books! I'm excited. 

Visiting

We're just finishing a very lovely visit with Grandma Cindy and Grandpa Bill. We did lots of reading, many many art projects, and they helped me with Unity's birthday party- a slumber party. We had six kids over and four of them spent the night. The giggle to sleep ratio was about what you would expect but Unity had a blast- she's been asking to do this for years. 

We're already looking forward to the next visit. 

Seven

She was born in the season of cherry blossoms, that first pale sign of Spring. She surprises me constantly with her questions and her knowing. She is so attuned to the emotions of others, takes it all in so deeply. She's my book-lover, my silly dancer, my crafty fancy lady. 

Seven years now you've been shaking up my world and showing me so many things. But mostly the love. The crazy wild love. 

Happy Birthday, Unity Jane.