birthday

I always write a triplet birthday post.

It’s been hard to squeeze in this year.

I recap the kids and who they are and what we did.

I’ve given a lot of thought to that this year.  Particularly since we just had to fill out a form for the kids teachers telling them “about our child.”

I saw their individuality even in the planning of their events.  Little bit wanting a small lunch at the American Girl store and the boys wanting a blow out with everyone hunting frogs and lizards.

Yesterday, while my dad and brother and hubby took the boys to the soccer game, my stepmom and I took little bit to pick up the final items for her event, as her new AG doll accompanied us everyone.  With roses and oversized balloons in tow, we arrived at the store to set up for our few little friends to join her for lunch.  She is an introvert and small events suit her well.

She had fun despite her dear friend getting terribly ill and having to miss.  Little did we know that she would be up herself in the middle of the night with a fever and horribly sore throat.  (Because of one of my dearest friends sacrificing her family time, little bit got to urgent care while I was throwing the boys b-day party, on her actual birthday no less, and we found out she had strep!  Yes, that’s right.  Strep on her birthday.  Sigh.)

I woke up this morning to make an early donut run, per the kids request, and we ate and began the final preparations for the boys all first grade boy party.  We had a frogs and lizards theme, and I tried to keep the boys all running with activities.  From a frogs and lizards (play, not real) hunt in the front yard, to silly string war in the backyard, we grew foam insects inside and pinned the tail on the lizard.  They ate frog cakes and lizard eyeballs topped off with frog pond jellos!  All in all, a busy but fun time for the boys.

After little bit’s little American Girl lunch and the boys blowout frogs and lizards party, we just crashed.  Leftovers for dinner and antibiotics for little bit.  Early to bed for all.

More importantly than the “what” is the “who” side of the equation.  Little bit hugs everyone.  Well, actually they all hug everyone.  And I didn’t realize how unique that was until I saw other kids who really don’t hug like my kiddos do.  I am grateful for how they love others and embrace friends, new and old alike.

But little bit is kind to animals and friends and babies, oh is she gracious.  She is athletic and musical and artistic.  She is feminine and currently in a deep obsession with American Girl.  She wants to be a kindergarten teacher when she grows up. She loves deeply, and my favorite line, which happens a half-dozen times, is an exchange which either of us may start but always contains the exact same words no matter who begins: Person 1: I love you!  Person 2:  I love you more!  Person 1:  Not possible!

The eldest.  Ah, he is obsessed with football.  He is incredibly competitive.  Yet he loves snuggling at night, reading together, and playing board games.  He doesn’t listen to us most of the time, but it’s only because he’s hyper focused on whatever he’s turned his attention to.  He will talk to you on the phone forever.  And he’s a man of a million questions.

The baby.  I’ve seen tremendous maturity lately.  He has struggled so with his anger being a surrogate for whatever emotion he’s feeling.  Yet you can see him beginning to gain control and understand how to measure himself.  He adores daddy and says building is his “talent.”  It’s only one of many.  He can spend the afternoon fishing or building Legos or playing soccer.

They are certainly seven.  I feel the weight of their age.  They no longer feel like little wee ones but strong individuals with their older kid personalities and wishes coming through.  I am grateful but also nostalgic.  I suppose that will be the bittersweet of the rest of my days.

Today happens to be my handsome hubby’s birthday.

We took a vacation day so we could spend a three day weekend at the farm.

July is a big birthday month for his family.  His mom kicks us off at the beginning of the month.  Luckily, this year we were at the farm earlier this month to celebrate with her too.

We have a niece and nephew with a July birthday.  Then his dad’s birthday hits and finally his!

I’ve come to love farm birthdays.

Now I love to throw a big party, and Lord knows the trio have had their fair share, but there’s something about birthdays with dirt smeared blue jeans and summer-hot-cheeks and homemade cakes served up with an ample scoop of ice cream.

I love to bake.  I don’t have nearly the time at home.  But almost every time I’m at the farm I get to bake.  Bake and write.  Two of the best things ever.

So after an easy lunch of sandwiches, chips and fruit, the whole crew, save two of the three five year olds, took naps in the heat of the day and woke to celebrate my father-in-law’s (belatedly) and husband’s birthday with coffee, cake and ice cream.

I tried my hand at Tres Leches again because it is Bray’s favorite dessert and it really turned out.  I had baked it in the morning while the crew were out fishing, Lord help us they caught an alligator (I may never adjust to the bayou), so it had plenty of time to chill.

We lit four candles, to represent the last digit of his age, and sang happy birthday.  After we cut big slices of the yummy goodness, we sat around the well worn table eating and talking while it was too hot to venture out.  Grandpa opened his birthday presents, and daddy asked to wait until his birthday rolled around this morning to unwrap his (it killed the kids who LOVE to open daddy and mommy’s presents…).

Talk turned to their various plans and while two ran to check on the peppers they’d picked earlier to use for supper, dad and grandpa and the eldest ran to town for boat supplies.

I loaded dishes and then watched the beautiful summer storm roll in.

This is a life I could never have envisioned.  I had none of this growing up.  My clothes were always pressed and my hair was always fixed.  I read instead of catching frogs behind the shutters.  I took piano lessons instead of baiting hooks and baling hay.

It’s still stops me in my tracks: the space my kids have access to and the bravery they show working cows and holding a line with an alligator at the end.  They dream bigger and plan fearlessly and adventure more because they see a big world and know the grandeur of God.

They’ve still got a momma that screams when the frog jumps on her sandal and begs them to back further from the dock, but I’m learning and letting go a little more every time.  And I’m certainly  embracing every moment of our stripped down birthday parties – the beauty of a handmade cake, the birthday song sung off key with gusto, and a celebration filled with those you hold most dear in life.