Celebration

One more big happy birthday to my toddling two year olds! This weekend we had Amelia, Abigail, and Gabriel's birthday party. I admit that Garrett and I were not totally organized. We thought we were. We tried to be. But we certainly underestimated the complications of getting all the necessities from our apartment to the playground across the parking lot. And the length of the lines at Party City on Saturday morning. And a cooler would have been a handy item to have. But I have to say, at least in my opinion, it was still a complete success. Our guests were gracious in the face of our last minute bumblings, the weather was fantastic, and it seemed that everyone had a nice time. It felt really good to throw a party that people seemed to enjoy. Or maybe what felt good was seeing that we really do have friends to invite to enjoy the special milestones in life with, and it was nice to have confirmation that Garrett and I are indeed making friends and making a home here in Mount Kisco. Not that I have really felt like that's not happening, but building a life somewhere new always takes time. It was really satisfying to connect with friends and neighbors and realize just how fortunate we are to be in social networks with some wonderful people, and recognize so much potential for rich friendships in the people God has introduced into our lives.

The kids got some amazing and very generous gifts, so I'm thinking it's time for me to do some serious house cleaning and toy swapping. It's neat to see them all moving into more "grown up" play, engaging in toys that involve pretend play and imagination (like baby dolls and doll houses), as well as play that involves more motor skills (like Gabe's new set of golf clubs). They also got some great puzzles and books and crayola art supplies. They're really moving away from the baby toys where texture and lights and visual stimulation are the name of the game. They still enjoy those toys, but they are getting much more interested in their choo choo trains and trucks and dolls and farmhouse with barnyard animals. And their tricycle! I got them a hand me down tricycle a couple months ago and they barely fit on the thing, but they are crazy about it. Most of the time I keep it in Garrett's and my bedroom because it's been known to cause more than one battle over whose turn it is. I hang on to it because I know how they love to play with it and I'm telling myself it is a great toy with which to learn taking turns, since we only have one. I'm not sure if that's more optimism that is called for at this point, given that we live in an aparment where we hardly have room for one tricycle, much less three. Not to mention it would take a journey the likes of a pilgrimage to mecca just to get all three kids with trikes outside to an area where they can safely ride them. But I maintain my insistence on hanging on to the thing, if only to assuage my own feelings of regret that we don't have a backyard in which to pile lots of riding toys where I can set the kids loose to figure them out. Right now I should probably focus on a few more practical things, like getting the no longer used toys out of this little apartment so we do have room for the new ones coming in!

Gosh I love being a mom. So much work, and all of it so worthwhile. Happy birthday little munchkins!