A Pirate PAAARRRRTY

I cannot believe it, but our Smaller Child turned FIVE YEARS OLD. FIVE. That is like, half a decade already. I am flabbergasted by how quickly time is flying by.
Last weekend, we had a party for my little chicken. A pirate paAAARRRty!

We went to Unpluggits, where the whole idea is that all the play is without electronics. They have a huge indoor playground in the shape of a pirate ship, and tons of paint and take crafts for the kids to do.  The kids had a BALL!

Here's Smaller Child in a night costume, guarding the ship port.

The window to our party room was painted.

Dad and SC painting a treasure chest.

The pAARRRty snacks. Pirate booty, fruit swords, cannon balls, Jolly Roger Cakes, Fish and Chips.

(and pirate bananas)

Our swarthy captain! 

It was a fantastic party that seemed to go over well with all the (12) kids. Our little man sure enjoyed himself, and really that is the main goal. I am SO over the moon in love with this little dude. He is hilarious, tenacious, charming, sweet, kind, thoughtful, and well... just plain ol awesome. I cannot believe I am lucky enough to be his MOM! Happy Birthday Chicken!!


Smaller Child Stats:
5 years old
height: 3ft 10 and 1/2 inches (1/2 inch shorter than Big Bro was at SIX)

Favorites:
color: red
tv show: Max and Ruby
movie: Star Wars (any of them)
food: cookies (specifically chips ahoy)

Without My Face On

In the midst of the summer, there are many days when I put on comfy clothes, no make up, barely dry my hair and just be. Yesterday was one of those days. When I awoke, I had no plans of going out, so the boys and I spent the morning in a lazy routine. Then, we decided to take to the streets to hunt for Pokemon. This lead to spending the entire day going all over town to a zillion places and seeing a zillion people... and me, without my "face on." I made a passing comment to Larger Child in the midst of a crowd, "Man, I probably should have put make up on today." This was his reply:

"Mom, be proud of yourself. You don't need make-up. If Dad was here, he would say something like, 'You're hot without make up. You don't need make-up to look beautiful.'"

I smiled, and said, "you're right, sweets. Thank you." But, my heart grew three sizes that day.

I would like to take a moment to express, though I am not sure I have the words to do it, my gratitude and love for my BNSBH. This is a man who, every day, several times a day makes sure I feel like the most beautiful woman in the world, with or without make-up.  Our boys see this every day. They are learning, through him, how to be a man. They are learning what it means to love and respect their spouse, how to show them kindness, selflessness, and generosity. They are seeing what it means to be in a partnership. They are seeing what it means to be in a healthy and loving marriage. These are the values they are being raised with, these are the values that they are seeing every day, and these are the values that they too have adopted. I am SO grateful.