Birthday parties

When I was little, my parents didn't have birthday parties for us.  Don't get me wrong, they tried to make the day special, but there was never anything really FANTASTIC that screamed, "We're celebrating!"  There was dinner, cake, ice cream, and a present.  The first thing I can remember that remotely resembled a party didn't happen until I was 13, and even then all the guests were family and not my friends.

I always wanted the kind of party where you invite all your friends.  That's why my daughter has had a pretty big party each of her three years.   It's easy to throw her a party because everybody loves her.  And, she generally loves everybody right back.  We've done cupcake themed at a friend's house, princesses at a pizza place, and rainbow theme at a park.

This year, it's Doc McStuffins at home.

What are we planning?  Check-ups of course.  Tiny Beanie Baby patients and dollar store doctor kits.  Flower headbands like the one Doc wears will be available for all the girls in addition to the fun and games too.  "Put-the-Band-aid on the Boo-Boo" and Doc McStuffins Hopscotch will help keep them entertained.

I'm as excited as she is even though it's still a month and a half away.  Far fewer invitations will go out this year, but there will be plenty of fun to be had with the friends who have already said they plan on coming.

Wonder Woman takes her life back- Take 2

I found a blog that I started and never finished saved in my drafts folder.  To be honest I had completely forgotten that I started to write it.  I started it in 2010.  It was not long after my father passed away and it was going to be about taking care of me.  I spent so much time taking care of others and dealing with family drama that I started to make myself sick.

It's not at all funny that we let ourselves get to that place. We fill our lives with obligations and we forget all those things that are so important to us.  We get tired and/or sick.  We get depressed.  We lose sight of who we are and what we believe in.  We forget what's important to us.


 In honor of that, I have compiled a list of my top 5 priorities in life.  Beyond that, I challenge you to examine your life closely and think about those things that truly make you happy, healthy, and whole What are your true priorities? 

6. Other responsibilities (Preschool Board, Neighborhood Council, HOA, etc.)
5.  Writing
4.  Important extended family- (My brothers, sister-in-law, nieces and nephews, my aunt and uncle, etc)
3.  My job 
2.  Daughter's health and happiness and husband's health and happiness
1.  My health and happiness

I must admit that the only reason my  job shows up so high on this list is that it pays for my health insurance, my mortgage, and my car.  If it were not for those three things that are fairly vital to survival I would have it much lower on the list. 

I should note that these do not include religious responsibilities as those don't even exist on the same playing field as the ones above.

Toddler

So, my little cupcake is finally a toddler. It started about a month ago as I was getting ready to come back to school. We were visiting her day care provider and she was standing in front of me holding onto a chair. She put one foot in front of the other and then lunged forward. Her first step. Slowly it became 2-3 steps and then: PLOP. She lands on her behind. But, she kept getting back up and trying again. Then one evening I set her on the floor in the restroom and it's suddenly 8 steps in a row. For 3 days after that she didn't take any steps in front of me.

A few days ago, I took her to see my grandparents- or so my grandparents could see her because grandma's bed-ridden these days. But, she couldn't stop walking. She was showing off for them. It's like she was saying, "Look at what I can do." She'd take 10 or so steps abd then: PLOP. But, she got back up and did 10 more.

I can't begin to describe how this really makes me feel. I am so happy I have a daughter who doesn't give up just because she fell down once or twice. On the other hand, I'm not so sure I'm looking forward to raising such an independent child. In either case, my husband better get the house toddler proofed pretty quick- or we're headed for a disaster.