My kids were born ten days apart shortly after Christmas. This makes December and January a flurry of gift giving, party planning and general craziness. It is fun and celebratory; however, it takes a while to come up for air after all that fun. I really dislike Christmas and birthday photography because it is largely the same year-to-year, it takes place amidst other things for which I am responsible for planning and participating in and it feels obligatory, not creative or inspiring. I have to let them rest before I decide I want to return to these photos to edit them.... I finally got to it this week... and so i bring you the belated birthday post..
I cannot believe that Ben is five years old..... I know everyone says "where did the time go?" but really "Where did the time go?" We are more than 25% through Ben's time at home with us.... how is that possible?
This year Ben had three birthday celebrations (crazy, I know). The first was at school where they mark a child's birthday by having parents bring photos and tell stories about each of the child's years, the student then takes trips around the sun with the globe corresponding to the number of years that student is turning, and then they share treats. This year Ben's teacher also added classmates saying something nice about the birthday person to the mix. Ben's classmates said lovely things about him that made me want to cry.
The next picture cracks me up. In this picture I can see the young man he will become with broad shoulders and muscles.... his stance just doesn't look "little boy" to me here.
Nora thoroughly enjoyed her time in ben's classroom. She acted as if she had been going to school there her entire life... and Ben sweetly let her share the limelight in the center of the circle when it came time to eat their treats. I can't wait for Nora to be able to join their class next year... I just know she is going to love it.
This year Ben had a kid birthday party. He invited his entire class to The Little Gym. I loved that the kids had a structured activity to participate in that I didn't have to run and Ben loved running around with all of his school friends.
Having a birthday right after Christmas and being one of two grand-kids on both sides, means that we have plenty of toys.... my biggest concern about hosting a kid party was what we would do with all the stuff. I decided early on that this would be a no gifts party... I later decided that because some people will always bring a gift that I would suggest that any gifts be books donated to Ben's classroom. It took a bit of discussion to get Ben on board with this idea (every party he has been to has included present opening). But in the end he was very proud that his party contributed to his classroom library... and I was very proud of Ben.
The final party of the season was the joint Nora and Ben family and friends party. This party was held on Nora's actual birthday and it ended up being more of a Nora show. You see she likes opening presents (Ben is getting better but he still gets easily distracted and really was excited to play with the Kratoska kids) and that is the main activity at a family birthday. Nora got lots of great gifts: babies and doll beds and slings, a dollhouse that has become a fast favorite, beautiful clothes, books and hair accessories, and a bag of coins for her piggy bank that have provided hours of fun.
Nora just saw the pictures in this post and she screamed "Happy Day" I love that she says that anytime she sees balloons or a cake or a present. I remember when Ben used to say "Happy Day" instead of Happy Birthday. I don't know when he stopped...you never know when they will stop doing those things...you always noticed the "firsts", the "lasts" seem to slip by.... I wonder when the last time Nora will make her little snoring sound when she lays down to sleep or notices something sleeping or puts her babies or animals to sleep - note to self get out the video camera (sorry i digressed)
Our children are so lucky to have so many people in their lives that love them so much. They may not have actual aunts, uncles or cousins but they have an extended family of friends who love them like their own and we are happy to celebrate birthdays with them every year.
Comments