Yesterday was Owen’s second birthday and last night we had a party. All of our friends and family that could possibly make it were there and we had a good time. The playground was a big hit (way to go Kris) and the kids and adults looked flushed and winded by the end of the night. Tisra even hit the tunnels and slides in a skirt. I didn’t go in the playground myself but I watched and I had almost as much fun as they did. I really didn’t want to take the belly down the slide or try to maneuver it through hoops and tunnels.
We had pizza first and then play time, followed by cake, ice cream and presents. Owen was so tired and really didn’t know what to make of things when it came time to open gifts. Each one was fascinating to him and he wanted to stop and play before moving on to another gift. I had to force him to stay in his chair so we could get through them quickly because our time was running out and I knew the kids wanted to hit the playground one last time.
My favorite part was watching Owen’s face (can you believe I forgot to video?) as everyone sang Happy Birthday to him and the cake was placed on the table in front of him. He was in absolute wonder and he looked all around him realizing they were really all singing just to him. He blew his candles out and ate two pieces of cake and some ice cream and wanted more. The kids were all really good…they were cooperative and patient and all of them seemed to sort of give Owen his space as if they knew that they were there to honor him in some way. It was a lot of fun. The playground was definitely the big draw and like I said the adults were swinging through it as aggressively as the kids.
This morning I got up early and sat with Owen. He wasn’t sleeping well so I took him downstairs to the recliner and held him for a while. He got a good half hour of shoulder sleeping in before waking up and informing me that he had socks. I guess that’s what he dreamed about or something. Anyway…as I sat quietly in the dark living room, I thought about the activities of the night before and was so grateful for a good time with our friends. The words from 1 Corinthians chapter 13 popped into my head…”When I was a child I talked like a child, I acted like a child and I reasoned like a child. But when I became a man, I put childish things behind me.” I wondered at this a little and realized that “childish things” isn’t playing on a playground, it’s being too proud to play on a playground…it’s not laughing at silliness that needs to be put behind, it’s being too selfish to let your hair down for your husband or wife and slide down the slide in your skirt or push your 15 year old daughter around a little to let her know that you still got some spunk. I enjoyed my friends and their kids last night…probably more than ever before. I loved watching them put their guards down and noticing that they are still the same people with or without their “dignity”. They seemed to really enjoy Owen too which of course warms a mommy’s heart. It was such a good night, and yes, we’ll have to do it again sometime.
To see more pictures…go to Kris’ post.
Did you decorate the cake? Can I copy?
Thanks for putting things into perspective. I definitely was acting like a kid. Again, it was so much fun!
Kristy – I did decorate it, if that’s what you want to call it. Two 9×13 cakes frosted with Duncan Hines frosting from a can and a little jar of sprinkles from Wal-mart. I printed out a “2” on the computer. Of course you can copy…your friends won’t know.
Remember how Mom used to make number cakes…?
Oh, man. I can’t believe I missed all the fun. Not fair. I, of course, feel fine today! Glad the little man had so much fun.
I was giddy last night. The slide was really fun; you will definitely have to try it once the second little man arrives. I also think it was really great for our children to see us playing, it let’s them know were not just old stick in the mud’s. Kudos to Mrs. Kelso for crawling around up there with us! It was really a lot of fun, and I will definitely take you up on the offer of having lunch one day and letting the children play. We might actually get to have some adult conversation while the children are off running in tunnels.
Kristy – Yes, I almost did a big “2” but thought I’d get more out of my cake if I put a two on top of the whole cake. Thus the sprinkle project. I like the whole number cake thing because you never have to look at the back of the picture to remember which birthday it was…Look she’s holding up a 7…must be her 7th birthday.
OK, I would have never guessed that was a boxed cake because it was really good.
Mary, you’re so sweet! I was looking at the blog and the cursor was over the pic of Amanda and me. I read “coolest Mom in the world” I think I’ll have a great day now.
Amy – I love Duncan Hines.