Happy Birthday Kiddo!!!

The night before the Kiddo's birthday, while he was spending the evening with his dad, I set about decorating our apartment. Nothing big, just having fun with crepe paper streamers and bows. Following each of my siblings and my births (home births) my mother would tie blue or pink bows on our front porch to announce to the world our arrival. Since I didn't get the chance following the Kiddo's birth, I took the opportunity to do so now even though my bow tying skills simply cannot compare to my mother's.

Streamers in the doorway always seemed to be rather magical as a child and I hoped it would provide a bit of fun for the Kiddo.

I REALLY thought I blew up more balloons than that!

And of course, I had a small cluster of gifts waiting for him,

with the BIG surprise being his new bike.

I picked the Kiddo up in the morning and we headed off to the aquarium.

He thought the fish were kinda cool.

Although, they didn't captivate his attention for very long -

-especially once he discovered the interactive displays!

The Amazon.... get it? Wah wah wahhhhhhhh. Yeah, lame, I know.

We made it over to the very popular penguin exhibit-

-only to find that the buttons that produced frog sounds next to the penguin exhibit was MUCH more interesting

We were only half way through the day but he was exhausted!

I tried my best to carry him into the house and put him to bed, but when he saw the presents and decorations, nap time was OVER!

I had stashed the bike in my room in hopes that I could set up a photo op when he came out of his room, but when I tried to get him to stay in it while I brought the bike out, he thought I was punishing him and started bawling and saying, "I'm sorry Mama!" Heartbreaking! THAT one didn't go as planned! If you can see the little bit of red in his eyes, that's why.

The trauma was soon forgotten as he took his bike for it's maiden voyage around our parking lot.

After getting his fill, we came inside and made his birthday cupcakes. Kiddo took the opportunity to man the camera.

He did a VERY good job of carefully helping!

We learned a few things this year:

1.) Kiddo couldn't care less about fish and penguins when there are buttons to be pushed.

2.) Mama should just go with the flow instead of trying to set up photo ops.

3.) It's really hard to blow out a candle when you're laughing really hard.

4.) The great thing about a 2-person birthday party is that you can keep relighting the candle as many times as you want (providing the candle still has wax left)!

It's so hard to believe that it was 4 years ago today that this little man entered my life. He's the sweetest, most loving little soul and I'm so blessed to be given the opportunity to mother him. I've never been worried about the years slipping by. I've known since day one that I was raising an adult rather than a child, but I will forever cherish the moments I spend with him while he's my darling little boy. Oh how I love this little one! He fills me with more happiness than I can contain.

Mom Jar = Overflowing

I love you Kiddo!

August Brought Major Changes

I don't know what prompted me to, but in early August, I found myself filling out an online application to go back to school. Within a week, after prayer and a lengthy conversation with my mother, I had put in my two week notice at my job. My last day was exciting, but sad as I said goodbye to my darling friend/coworker Lindsey. Just one of the amazing people who I feel are in my life by no accident.

Just days after my last day of work, the Kiddo and I headed to California to see my family. For the first time in his life, we took the Airport Bus from SFO up to Sonoma County. He was GLUED to the window for about an hour, watching Golden Gate park and the Bridge fly by before falling asleep in my lap.

The reason for our trip? My baby sister's baby!

Little Addison arrived August 14th and is just as precious as could be!

Along with other fun, the Kiddo went with Pop Pop, Uncle Clay and his cousin Cash to the Sonoma County Air Show. He came home with a toy airplane that you'll rarely find him without.

I was able to have a wonderful reunion with my friend Emily. We met on the school bus in Junior High and spent many class periods, days, hand written notes and Friday night sleepovers as teenagers being a little more than crazy.

It's been 15 years, but nothing has changed.

Through a series of random events, we found ourselves hopping on Bart and heading to a Giant's game. Em is a much bigger fan than I, but it was SO much fun! Did you know that the seagulls come out EVERY game in the 7th inning? Neither did I, but it's true. What a wonderful trip!

We headed home and jumped into a completely different life back in Utah. Well, not much has changed for the Kiddo I suppose, but it sure has for me! I'm going to school for half the day, working part time at a massage school (perks? OH YEAH!), playing volleyball twice a week, an institute class once a week, homework nightly, as well as something that resembles a social life occasionally.

Honor's Jar = Busy, but Full!

Wheeler Farm with Corbin and Christina

The kiddo and I joined my childhood friend Christina and her son at Wheeler Farm today. I recently reconnected with Christina after 10 years (hard to believe) and it was the first time we had met each other's kiddos.

We fed the ducks,

saw/smelled the animals,

had some made out of balloons,

and even rode on a couple.

It took a little while for the Kiddo to warm up to the idea of getting on the horse, but he ended up loving it.

It was surreal to think about the two of us now as single mom's when the last time we were around each other we were 17 and serving in our Laurel Class Presidency together,

But it was a lot of fun to watch our sons together, knowing that we never imagined this day.

Jars filled!