Friday Fun? Thing 1's Birthday

     Today was Thing 1's birthday. She woke up very excited. She knew that we were saving presents and cake for her party, but she was very excited about being 4.

     We started the day with breakfast and a few shows on Sprout. After that, we did a few worksheets from her school folder. Then, we played Barbies, had a tea party, and had a tickle war. Basically, we did whatever Thing 1 wanted to do.

     After all of this fun (and tiring) playtime, it's time for lunch. Thing 1 wanted more cereal for lunch. Usually, cereal is only for breakfast, but since it was her birthday, I let both girls have more cereal for lunch. While they were eating, Thing 1 and I had the following conversation.


     Thing 1: Mama, you know how we call people on their birthdays and sing 'Happy Birthday' to them?

     Me: Yes, baby.

     Thing 1: How come no one has called to sing to me?

     Me: I don't know baby.

   
     At this point, I didn't know what to do. So, I changed the subject. I asked her if she wanted to go get a slushy monkey. Of course, her answer was yes. Both girls got purple slushy monkeys. They really enjoyed them. Although, neither girl finished them.

     Now, it was nap time. For some reason, I had a killer headache. I decided that a nap would be good for me too. So we all snuggled in my bed and took a nice long nap. While we were napping, Scout's grandmother did call to wish Thing 1 a happy birthday. She's the only one that called. All day.

     Is it really too much effort for her grandparents to pick up the phone and tell their granddaughter "happy birthday"? I guess that it is, because none of them called. Not 1. That's something that I will always miss about my mom. Birthdays were a big deal. You know, a day to specifically say "I'm glad that you were born." Since Thing 1's first birthday, my mom would come pick her up and take her to a special lunch. She would never not call. And neither of my grandmothers called. Well, not true. My mom's mom, J, called. When she said "I can't believe that she's going to be 4." I said, "Well, she's already 4. Today is her birthday." And do you know what she said?!?! "That's nice." There were a few expletives that came to mind, but I resisted.

     I then took the girls to my high schools homecoming football game. They had a blast playing with my cousin's kids, watching the cheerleaders and seeing the "girls in pretty dresses". Our team won, which they always do.

     So, I spent a lot of the day crying and missing my mom. But, after we got home from the game and enjoyed a brownie, Thing 1 declared that this was "the best birthday ever!".