Nathanael's Birthday...finally!

This was the birthday that kept going and going and going. Here's the recap:

The day before, precious friends, Meg and Chris, treated Nathanael to a day at the Bronx Zoo. It was their son's second birthday.

Nathanael LOVED his special day, particularly his camel ride.

On his actual birthday, Colombo and I were in California. Ninny did an excellent job of giving him a special day. They had an early morning cake before the days' hockey games began. Later in the evening they went to see a Wolfpack game. Gramma, Bobbi, Juliet, and Allison joined the fun. Then The Lost Son hit, then...oh, that poor kid! It took 5 weeks for me to pull together his party. Ahhh, such is the life of a middle child!

Anyway. Nathanael decided to have a sleepover with his 2 best buds. He really wanted to go ice skating and to the movies to see Megamind. And while ONE of those would normally been a sufficient party, the guilt got to me and I told him we could do both.

It was a great party! It can't get easier than 3 7-year-olds who want pizza and store-bought ice cream cake!

He thought LONG and hard about his wish.
The next morning was presents and pinata!





And finally, my side of the family has grown to the point now that we've started celebrating birthdays by the quarter. So Nathanael was 1 of 5 for Q4. Bethany made this great cake and we celebrated when we were together for Thanksgiving.

Ha! Same shirt that he wore to the zoo.




And that was Fan Man's birthday.

Week 47

Sunday, Nov. 14th

Trevor just "hangin' out" at C4's hockey game. He stayed busy with this for 1/2 the game.

Monday, Nov. 15th

C4 getting a little target practice in on the Air-Soft.

Tuesday, Nov. 16th

Madison put her socks on Rocco and pretended they were cast and this was his wheelchair. She is so creative and her brothers always go along with it. (except for C!)Wednesday, Nov. 17th

The 4 miles from the rink to drop off Nathanael to the church took 30 minutes because of an accident and construction. Trevor found a way to pass the time.

Thursday, Nov. 18th

My birthday. Although in many ways it was just a regular day, it was very special. In my contemplation and self-evaluation in the morning and pondering the day and spending some time in prayer, I came, yet again, to realize that I am the luckiest girl in the world. I'm blessed beyond measure and by 8:30 on my way home from the gym I was so full of happiness and gratitude that I didn't even care what the rest of the day held.

But I was treated wonderfully throughout the day. Colombo cooked a very nice dinner (a rarity) and the kids showered me with their sweet homemade cards which again is all in the world that I need. THEN, they unveiled their work of art. Colombo and the kids had secretly make me a cake (a first) a few days prior. I was blown away by it. It was just the sweetest. And look! The name of my blog and just kinda my motto for this season of my life. Every day really is Another Day in Paradise. My Paradise.

Friday, Nov. 19th

Colombo took me to a very nice dinner with friends to celebrate my birthday. But before that I worked on the place cards for Thanksgiving. A little unaware of the power of the spray adhesive, this is what my hand looked like for the day.

Even after much scrubbing, soaking, brushing I had lots of glitter on both sides. The 'fruit' of my labor:

Saturday, Nov. 20th

We celebrated Thanksgiving with my side of the family and will post separately.

After, the kids were a part of a special Missions service at church. Colombo had a speaking part, Madison was in a small ensemble of singers with a one-line solo. They had had several rehearsals in the weeks prior. In my head, they were the only two participating because of all the special rehearsals, completely forgetting that Nathanael was supposed to sing with the big kids' choir, which practiced during regular service times. I realized it as we walked into the building. He was not wearing black and white, so he just watched from the seats. I felt so bad that I had overlooked it in the course of the day, but he didn't mind a bit!

Week 46

Sunday, Nov. 7th
We had our cast party. Poor Heather and Steve (engaged) got stuck at the kids' table!The kids put on a 15 minute rendition of The Lost Son from their perspective. Although highly entertaining and creative, I'm still not over how well my daughter played the prostitute and that my 7 year old said freakin'!Monday, Nov. 8th
Maddy's School of Dance.


Tuesday, Nov. 9th
My Dad picked me up and took me up and took me on a date to dinner and the auction. I scored a great doll house for $15! My Dad still treats me like his little girl. So much of who I am is because of who he has always been in my life.

Wednesday, Nov. 10th
Time, please freeze!
Thursday, Nov. 11th
Friday, Nov. 12th
While reading on the couch in the afternoon, Trevor came up to snuggle up on me and presumably prevent me from having 5 minutes of 'me' time. But when I looked down a minute later he was fast asleep.
Saturday, Nov. 13th

My 'button-up boys' ready for church!

Hallelujah Night '10

This year for Hallelujah Night we had....

Men in Black C4 and 3 buddies decided to dress the same. Here they are posed with Justin Beiber. The group won a prize. A business lady
She won a prize for 'most unique'. The only thing I bought were the glasses at the dollar store.

Abraham Lincoln
He won for 'Best Non-fictional Character'.

Buzz Lightyear
There were several Buzzes there, a Woody, and a Jesse!

and a basketball player.
This is Nathanael's best bud, Sean. Sean's mom said, "Hey Sean, go stand over there with Abraham Lincoln for a picture." As you can tell from Sean's expression he really did NOT recognize Nathanael. Hilarious.

After being reacquainted and a long, full night of fun, both boys walked away as winners.

In addition to the carnival games, bounce houses, clowns, and magician, they also did 'Trunk or Treat' where about 25 families or groups decorated their trunk and passed out candy. It's a fun, safe alternative for the kids.

One of the best trunks was a mom dressed as an Egyptian, her trunk littered with reeds. Kids who walked up to her were to look under a basket she had and......
Baby Moses! It scared so many kids!

Our car was a patriotic theme and in addition to passing out candy we had a collection bin to donate to the troops. I already have a brilliant idea for our trunk next year.