First Birthday Party

Although you are probably still a little too young to really know that you have friends, they came over today and celebrated your 3^rd birthday with you. It was ALL about you and your friends... no extra adults hanging around taking Mommy and Daddy away from you. Just you, a few friends, games, pizza, cake and ice cream... simple and sweet.

I'm not sure what you'll remember from the party, but forever etched in my mind is the birthday cake. The story is this... Mommy was exhausted from going non-stop since early November with birthdays, Thanksgiving then all the prep for Christmas and Christmas itself that I kinda slacked on really planning a big party for you. Daddy was on me the whole time... "You did so much for Priya, what about Sanjay?"... but I knew that you would appreciate just having a party, nothing grand would be necessary. While at Sam's Club a few days ago I saw some cakes and had you pick one out... you loved the football cake. Done... that was easy, but we walked out of there without asking them to write a birthday message on it for you. Oops.

When I got home, Daddy was clearly disappointed. Not only had I not properly planned a party for you, but then I bring home a generic cake... I can still hear him saying... "but it's so plain, it doesn't even say happy birthday". I'd seen my Mom do it a lot when I was growing up; decorating a cake isn't too difficult. So, I bought some decorating icing at the grocery, but this is the kind that squirts out like Reddi-whip not the kind in a bag like my Mom used back in the day. I'm thinking it'll be difficult holding that can at a 45 degree angle while writing a message, but little did I know it would be impossible! The nozzle on this icing is MUCH harder to push than that of whipped cream. In my frustrated state, Daddy came running out to the kitchen to offer assistance. The whole time he's writing the message he's saying... "See, you can make it out, it's not too bad". I'll let the reader of this blog be the judge of that...

Happy Birthday Sanjay

Since Wednesday, Daddy has made the family promise to be nice to you for the next 5 days... because it's your birthday week. Well, on Wednesday itself Mommy and Priya both broke the promise within hours. I'd had it with you when for the 3^rd time that day you wet your pants and Priya didn't want you coloring with her markers anymore because you can't remember to replace the caps when you're finished. It took Daddy another day before he had a reason to be angry with you. I'm sorry that these days leading up to your birthday and the party were not void of scolding and consequences. Today though has been fairly quiet... we all sang to you in the morning and then sent Priya off to school. Tonight you chose Red Robin for your birthday outing... because you really wanted to get a balloon. Priya tried desperately to talk you into McDonalds or Subway... for the kids meal toy... but you didn't give in. It was a rough day for your big sister, as seeing you get all the special attention brought tears to her eyes more than once (see the picture for proof).

Did You Make a...

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Tonight Priya asked me, “Mommy, did you make a revolution this New Year?” and she proceeded to tell me that her “revolution was to save money”. Since her teacher told her that adults make resolutions for the new year, I suppose I should come up with one. My resolution for 2008 is to continue this journal all year. If it happens, it may be one of the few times I've finished something that I started.

Priya Returns To Kindergarten

Today was Priya's first day back after the long holiday break and this morning she seemed pretty excited to return. After school, she wanted to know all about Sanjay's day and admittedly was jealous of him because they celebrated his birthday at school. He told her all about the cookie and cupcake he had for snack and about the pencil that he received as a gift from his teachers. Reminding her of the pencils that she was given on her birthdays at the same preschool only made her ask me “What happened to them? I haven't seen them at home.” Oh... this girl and her sensitivity... just like Mommy.

Sanjay Starts Preschool

Today was Sanjay's first day of preschool. Although he's been potty-trained for more than one month, in the past 2-3 days he has really regressed. In fact, he had 4 accidents yesterday (luckily only with going pee-pee)... but still, I was on the fence about sending him today. They require that the kids be potty-trained before starting school. Anyway, he was too excited, so we decided to see what would happen. When I dropped him off, he was immediately comfortable in the classroom and sat down for a story with one of the teachers. Although he doesn't remember a single kid's name... he says that he has some new friends and is looking forward to going back soon. Oddly enough, he says that the boys in his class know his name, but the girls don't. He brought home his first art project which he tells me is a painting of a Christmas tree, but I'm not really sure I see that! :) When we picked up Priya from school today, her first question to Sanjay was "Did you have fun at school today?". She was so sweet asking him about his day and they held hands all the way to the car. I am so upset that I didn't have the camera with me... it really was something to capture.

All in all a good day... worth documenting.

Empty Nest

So early this morning Dad and Jean left... the last of our holiday guests. It was so much fun spending Christmas together and now the place seems empty. For several days there were 10 people in our house sharing two bathrooms, sleeping in three bedrooms and on one futon couch... and it really didn't feel too crowded, but it's my thing to be surrounded by friends and family. Pile them on... the more the merrier is how I see it. I would forgo the family gift exchange every year if we could spend this holiday together. We had some snow this year, giving us a dreamy white Christmas. Of course, Christmas day was filled with gift opening and a nice big meal, but probably my favorite moment of the visit was one night when we stayed up playing games after putting the kids to bed. We had hoped to fit in another night of game-playing... but the kids really wore us out and we couldn't outlast them too many nights. Anyway, it's back to the regular routine around here and the return of a certain privacy and quietness that we're accustomed to.

Does It Have Wheels? I Want It.

Sanjay is into anything that has wheels... you name it, cars, trains, buses, bikes and fire trucks... he loves them all. So much so that he even sleeps with them. Today he got a monster truck (slightly bigger than a matchbox car) from his big sister in his stocking and he hasn't let it out of his sight since. He thinks that monsters ride in it... doesn't realize that the name "monster truck" comes from it's large size. Anyway, it's his new fave and so tonight it had to go to bed with him. He lines up the things-with-wheels between the 2 pillows on his bed. They park nicely in a straight line all night long. When I tucked him in, he insisted that I cover the monster truck, too. So, I pulled the blanket up covering the monster truck entirely. "No... no, Mommy, like this", Sanjay says as he adjusts the blanket down a bit on the truck so that only the windshield and hood are showing. I guess he didn't want the truck to get scared in the dark! This is also the reason he sleeps with his arms tucked all the way under the covers... he does this every night when I cover him up.