All Aboard (a birthday celebration)

*Using PSE 4.0 I made this invite by scratch. The photo is from our trip to Strausburg for Day out with Thomas.

So the day finally arrived. So much preparation and planing. It was well worth it. It started with Mason's actual birthday. We spent the day dancing to Black Eyed Peas I got a feeling and KC and the Sunshine Band Shake, Shake, Shake. Mason's favorite song. Then he rode his bike to the park across the street. For dinner we headed to Red Robin, his favorite Restaurant. Got to meet Red Robin, give him a high five, and was sung to by the staff. He LOVED it.

We arrived home where he opened two presents. One being what he calls the eight o'clock, eight o'clock car. It's one of those cars from Target that makes noise and dances. It plays the song Rock around the clock. Of course I had to listen to that all week.

Saturday.

I woke up early and picked up the balloons for Mason's party. Then attached them to the party favors, wooden trains I found at Target. So fitting for the Thomas theme party.

I stuck with the colors red and blue throughout. Including the cupcakes. I made 24 chocolate and 24 buttercream the night before. As Fred and I debated on how to frosting them (see post below), I think mine turned out better and Mason agreed. I then put flags on the ones for the kids. I made the flags by using Thomas stickers and then cutting them out using my coluzzle and attaching them to tooth pics using my xyron machine.

Pin the tale on the donkey was a popular game. Each kid got to take a turn at least twice and even I gave it a try.

After the kids made a sufficient mess and making a lot of noise running around the house we brought out the pinata. Below is the video.

Then after the pinata, as if all that candy wasn't enough of a sugar rush we decided to have the singing of Happy Birthday and cupcakes. I was impressed that Mason actually blew out all his candles. See video below.

Then we opened presents. Of course he had to do it himself. When I asked him later what his favorite present was, he ran over to the Billy Fun Wheels remote control car and he and Fred proceeded to run around the house with it. *sigh* Boys. Gotta love 'em. Thanks Adrian, you got the #1 gift.

After all the chaos ended and we cleaned up a bit I was overly exhausted and ready for bed.

And now I get to take a breath before we have to plan for all the festivities of Christmas. It never ends.

Can you stay this age forever?

Today was Grandma Sunday and a beautifully warm day. Perfect for walking on the trail and trowing stones, leaves and sticks in the creek.

Tonight as Mason is recounting what they did, this is what I heard.

Mason: And nuts. We threw nuts in the water.

Fred: You threw nuts in the water? So does that mean they threw you in the water?

Mason: *laughing* No. They didn't throw me in the water.

Fred: They didn't throw you in? You said you were throwing nuts in the water so I thought they threw you in.

Me: *chuckling*

Mason: No. Mommy would be upset.

Me: *burst out laughing*

Fred: *laughing*

He really knows what to say to to make me smile. Like yesterday while frosting cupcakes for his party. I wanted to frost them with an icing bag and tip and Fred said it would take too long and just wanted to spread it on with a knife. I said he could do half his and and I'd do half my way. So I'm squeezing out the icing and it's looking pretty good. I'm happy. Then Mason, who is standing on the stool next to daddy looks up and says, "Mommy, that's beautiful!" God I love you buddy.

On this day

Three years ago, on this day, my son was born. And I became a mother.

Seeing his face for the first time, I fell instantly in love. Unaware of the adventure ahead of me.

A year later and I still couldn't believe I was a mom, or how much my son had changed over his first year of life.

Two years and entering toddlerhood. Looking so big, getting so smart and being so funny.

Now he is three. I can't believe my baby boy is three. Such a little man and STILL amazing me every day.

Tonight we plan on taking him out to his favorite restaurant, Red Robin, and giving him a present or two. How much he has grown in those few short years, in height, character and vocabulary. Can't wait till your party this weekend, buddy. You're such a goof ball.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LITTLE MAN! I love you.

My name is...

I watched an episode on momversation the other day regarding the issue of what you prefer to be called by kids. Mr. and Mrs. or by your first name? I recently have found myself in this situation with my friends kids getting to that age where they talk to and address me frequently. I was even asked while on vacation this exact question. Would I prefer their son call me Miss Rachel or Mrs. Briggs? Um, well...

Here is where I am at a cross roads. Before I became a mother I never thought about it much. My friends daughter always called us Miss or Mr. (and our first name). I thought it was cute. Now used to being called Miss Rachel I get why they make their kids address adults in this way. It's a sign of respect. Now that I am a mom myself, I actually prefer that I be addressed as Miss Rachel as opposed to just Rachel. Hearing a two year old (especially my son) call me by my first name is awkward, annoying and just wrong. I am a/your mother, an adult, and feel I should be treated as such.

However, (and this is a big HOWEVER) upon hearing Mrs. Briggs I think, is my mother in law here? Strange I know. After all I am married and was introduced as Mrs. Briggs at my reception. And when it comes to filling out paperwork I always use the prefix Mrs. But at only 30 years, I don't see myself as being that old. For me, Mrs. Briggs holds the uber-mature status of those the age of my parents and grandparents. Not the young, hip, woman I have convinced myself I am. I can't see myself as this overly mature adult. I'm not there yet. Though according to my husband I'm not as young nor do I look as young as I think do. OK, I'm still not there yet.

I always had a hard time calling my friends parents by their first names. Prefix or not. It seemed odd and wrong. They were waaaay older than me and adults. Not my friends but my elders and deserving that respect. Even today, I have a hard time calling my son's pediatrician anything other than Dr. (last name) even though our sons and his wife and I are close friends. We attend birthday parties at each other's houses, have had numerous play dates, yet for some reason it feels awkward to call him by his first name (I feel like giggling as if I'm 10 and got away with something I shouldn't have).

So yeah. I prefer Miss Rachel. For the time being. Years from now when my kids are well into elementary, intermediate and definitely high school I'll probably want to be called Mrs. Briggs. Because then I'll be well into my 30's and even 40's. YIKES! And maybe, just maybe then I'll actually feel older and more mature. Like the parents/adults I grew up emulating.

She is...

Realizing that I am so far behind on this blog thing, Sophie turns five months tomorrow and I still haven't recorded her four month progress. Aye, aye aye! So without further delay...

She is...

She is consistently sleeping through the night.

She is kicking her legs all the time. I've come to calling her Thumper.

She is recognizing Mommy, Daddy and Mason.

She is eating solid food.

Oatmeal is the best.

6-8 tablespoons at time.

She is finally on a schedule and we are establishing a routine.

She is discovering her fingers and toes.

And sucks on them whenever possible.

She is a happy baby in the morning. Always smiles.

She is giggling, though few and far between.

She is loving her big brother.

She is fascinated with anything he is doing.

Immediately smiling when we walks in the room.

The only one able to calm her down,

Mason sings to her.

Twinkle, Twinkle little star.

She is this close to rolling over.

She is trying so hard to sit up she does "sit ups" when lying down, in her car seat or swing.

She is verbally expressive ALL THE TIME.

Her squeals, and chatter a welcome relief.

She is standing. While being held.

She is taking about three naps a day.

One long 2-3 hour and few short.

She is moving slowly like an inch worm when on her stomach.

She is trying hard to crawl.

She is 17 pounds.

She is in the 99th percentile.

She is also growing equally big in height.

She is wearing 6 month clothes already.

She is making me want to stop using the infant car seat.

Can we say heavy?

She is a good sport in the bath.

She is getting eczema like her brother.

She is a new experience.

She is a joy.

She is four months old.

She is my only daughter.

She is as sweet as can be.

Spice up your life

I recently decided I needed a little funk in my style. So I shook things up a bit when I visited the hair salon last night and added a little spice to my life.

It's subtle but definitely a change. A little Auburn, a little lighter and darker blonde and viola. I'm not the stereotypical frumpy soccer mom with the mini van. Mom's got some style. It might not be as dramatic as some would have expected but I love it.

This is a close up of what it looked like before my shower this morning. I tried to get some stylish, artsy, dramatic photos of my new do but alas I don't have a professional photographer on staff so my tripod and self timer had to suffice.

No longer stuck in a rut, and boring for me. To steal a line from James Brown. Watch out. Momma's got brand new bag.

Corolla, North Carolina

Finally, it's here. The blog entry about our beach trip. It's been a busy, busy Fall this year. Weekend after weekend it's something else. A little bit stressful and hectic but I making priceless memories for and with my children and husband. You can't beat that. So here it is.

September 5th:

We woke up early, having been proactive and packed up most of the car the night before, we only needed to pack up the essentials put them in the car and head out on the road. We meet The Beadle's and Trevor for breakfast at McDonalds in Manassas before heading out on the road for our very long trip. How long we, we didn't expect. Heading into Norfolk to meet the Smith's for lunch we ran into major traffic. Took us and hour or two just to go 4 miles. I was getting restless and so were the kids but over all they handled the long car ride pretty well. I was impressed. 6pm, we finally arrived in Corolla, North Carolina at the big blue beach house. Unpacked the cars, got the kids settled and the girls hit Harris Teeter for a massive grocery run for the week. By 9:30pm all the kids were asleep (or at least in bed) and we hit the hot tub. A nightly ritual that I have missed since arriving back home. We even spent one night in the hot tub in the rain. Hey we were wet anyway!

September 6th:

Every morning after the kids got up and we all had breakfast we'd go for a walk along the beach. Sophie in wrap. Mason, fearless running in the waves and playing ball with Chiquita. It was one of my favorite moments of the trip. So peaceful and calm.

After lunch we played in the pool. The water was FREEZING. The kids didn't seem to care. Mason learned to kick his feet and blow bubbles in the water.

Finally we packed up all our gear, and there is a lot of gear when you have kids. And walked the short distance to the pier to get over the dunes and down to the beach. It was an eventful first day. The girls and the kids hung out on the beach, Mason playing in the sand with the dump truck, pail and shovels I found at Harris Teeter the night before. The boys were out in the water giving their boogie boards they got really cheap a try. Then some commotion was going on by the water and one of the guys came up and said to me and Dani that our husbands were in trouble. What?! I looked up and saw a two life guards standing by the beach, one lifeguard in the water with Trevor and My husband and Beadle still out there with the boogie boards. Then I see another lifeguard jeep come speeding up the beach and stopping right where we all were standing. At this point the whole beach has stopped to stare at our husbands out in the water. The lifeguards calling them to come back in, and then running into the water after them. I of course was worried but didn't want to miss my chance to document this moment.

I ran for my camera. By the time I got it, they were mostly out of danger being dragged in by the lifeguard. They reached the beach smiling and laughing, assuring us, their wives, that they were really in no danger. It was a rip tide and they were swimming fine, and even able to stand at most parts but just kept getting pulled back out with the tide. Needless to say they were limited to beach after that.

The rest of the day we spent flying kites, and playing in the sand and looking for seashells before packing it up and heading back to the house. Fred taught me to fly his stunt kite and I was doing good. For a while. I'm sure by our fifth year at the beach I'll get it.

One thing we learned, other than the obvious of when there is a red flag flying with "NO SWIMMING" written on it (which we noticed after the rip tide incident) don't go in the water, was that we need to get a house on the beach next year. Carrying all this gear sucks. We learned to load up the truck and then the rest of us walk while the gear was driven to the pier then unloaded.

September 7th:

It was a rainy day so we headed to the aquarium on Roanoke Island. The best part was getting to touch stingrays. They are soft and slippery not at all what I expected. But totally cool!

September 8th:

It was rainy once again so we took the day to do some local shopping for useless souvenirs. Typical of any vacation. You can't come home without at least a few things that say OBX. We bought the boys matching t-shirts. So cute.

Most nights we also played board games. And I learned that our group, and O.K. I admit it me too, are very competitive. So there babe, I said it out loud. I am competitive. Are you happy? But it's only cause I live with you and you're competitive too. Well not all because of you. Anyway, moving on. Typical of our group we also found the time to have some fun, when the rain stopped, with water balloons and a sling shot.

September 9th:

Finally a nice day. Despite the wind. We head off to the Currituck Lighthouse. Mason fell asleep on the way over and we debated letting him sleep to waking him up. We woke him up and he wanted Fred to carry him. I was afraid he'd have to carry Mason all the way up the lighthouse. They waited for everyone else to go first and took up the rear. But as always my son surpasses my expectations and surprised me by climbing ALL 214 steps to the top, never stopping for a break and showing no fear. It was incredibly windy on top so after taking a quick look Sophie and I went back inside and waited for everyone to climb back down.

Then we headed out to the 4x4 beach. We hitched a ride with the Beadle's in their truck. With this crew there is never a dull moment. As if getting saved by lifeguards was not enough adventure for the week the Smith's car got stuck in the sand. Like REALLY stuck. It took them probably a half hour, Beadle's truck pulling, the guys pushing and lots of digging to free the sucker. Oh the memories. After that we parked where we were, set up the tent and had a picnic. It was pretty windy and saw no horses but it was fun anyway.

September 10th:

We decided to go back to the 4x4 beach to search for horses. This time we got brave and ventured over the dunes into the housing area. After much searching and following where we saw the tour bus and other jeep rentals going we hit the jackpot. And it was cool. They got really close to us at one point. Mason loved seeing them and riding in the back of the truck. Still to this day he keeps talking about Mr. Mike's blue truck. And picked a blue truck from the stash after getting 10 stones. I enjoyed the ride in the truck too. Cruising the streets. Beadle was on a conference call for part of it and not paying attention and started to drive while everyone in the back was still standing and heard them screaming obscenities at him. It was classic.

That night it was our one night to go out to eat. We went to the Sunset Grill. Excited that they had karaoke and with the amount of alcohol we knew would be consumed it would get interesting. Unfortunately when we arrived, we realized the karaoke wasn't until 10pm. With kids that would be difficult. I was bummed cause Mason said he'd do the karaoke with me. Oh well. Next time.

Dinner was great. I had oysters for the first time. I liked them. Fred and Beadle had a drinking contest. They constantly had to compete at something on this trip. *Sigh* Boys. We got home and took pictures of our adorable little boys in their matching t-shirts. They were so freaking cute. Not that I'm biased but I feel that our group of friends produces the cutest, best-looking kids on the planet.

September 11th:

Our last day at the beach. It was the most perfect day. Sunny, but not too hot. Not windy. Gorgeous. No rip tide and some pretty nice waves. We took turns boogie boarding and I found it so much fun. Mason was cracking me up. He was playing in the sand when at one point Trevor told him he was funny. At the same time Dani had some animal crackers. Mason, being the character he is, would run over to Dani, get an animal cracker, run over to me throw his hand up in the air and yell, "I'm funny." I'd then say, "you're funny" and he proceed to run up the dune and over to Dani and repeat it. Over and over.

September 12th:

The drive home was long. We had left before the Smith's and Beadle's. Having packed up mostly the night before and being up early. Plus they told us to go. I was glad to leave, cause it was getting hectic with all the whining, busyness of packing and wanted to get home at a reasonable hour. We stopped at a McDonalds to grab some lunch. We had tried to stop at an earlier exit but missed it. This is funny because after coming out of the bathroom after having changed both kids diapers/pull ups I heard and saw Beadle standing there. They had stopped at the same McDonalds we did. What are the chances?

Once home, I was exhausted. This was our first trip to the beach since our honeymoon and the first time with kids. So many memories. I’ll never forget Fred, Beadle and Trevor being saved by lifeguards the first day after getting caught in a rip tide, Mike’s SUV getting stuck in the sand on the 4x4 beach, and Mason climbing all 214 steps of the Currituck Lighthouse. Sophie slept 10 hours every night for the first time and I never laughed or smiled so much in a long while. Despite the excruciating long car ride and not being much of a beach person (which I'd say has now changed), I’m looking forward to doing it again next year.