It's Never Too Late

"It's never too late to have a happy childhood."

I saw that on the back of a biker's shirt on the way home from church yesterday. By biker, I mean the big, gnarly kind, with a long gray ponytail braided down his back, riding a Harley.

Anyway, I liked it.

Just a little food for thought.

Harry Potter Birthday Extravaganza!!

Anybody who reads this blog probably has an idea of what HUGE Harry Potter nerds we are. I was so excited when Katelyn told me she wanted a HP themed birthday this year. We had to get creative (there aren't many HP party supplies out there), but the party was a success!

The 'cakes.

The youngest seeker in a century--waiting for her guests to arrive.

They're here!!

After all the guests received their glasses, wands and lightning scars,

we got straight to the 'cakes (cupcakes, that is).

The HP cupcakes were a hit.

Zach went to town, and I had never seen a messier onesie in all my days!

Mom, we saved this one for you, but you better hurry on over...

I don't know how much longer he'll last!

After an intense game of Quidditch (Bludgers and all!),

Katelyn opened her presents.


Grandma and Grandpa P hooked her up with everything a young wizard needs: circle glasses, a wand and broomstick. Thankfully her Gryffindor scarf, which I am knitting, will be ready before winter sets in. ;-)

We all took turns trying out her new wizard's gear.

(Yes...Adam and I have lightning scars, too.)

A rare family photo:

The after party:

Wand = Happy

No Wand = Sad

Wow! This has been a long post! I wish I could write more, honestly,

but my scar has been KILLING me lately!!

...not to mention, U2 is on SNL tonight and I can't stand to miss it!

I think Bono is cooler than cool, but we'll save that story for another day.

P.S. I am a nerd.

Patio Paintings

While Zachary slept...

...Katelyn dreamed.

Dear Maggie

*Katelyn, Maggie and an egg salad sandwich in the northern coast this summer

Today I got a glimpse into the mind of a 4-year-old when I dictated a letter from Katelyn to Maggie, who is at the MTC. I think the letter is hilarious. Read on if you dare!!

Hi Maggie,

Katelyn's birthday. I have a Harry Potter costume. I got it for my birthday. Baby chicks is cute and I have something else to say. I like baby hats. And I love Maggie and she is mommy's sister and Jonathan's her brother and Maggie's his sister. And I love Jonathan. I'm getting itchy. And I have something else to say. I have a birthday party coming up! I even have a Sleeping Beauty doll and a pink horsey. Mommy wrapped up my presents.

In school I got to be the line leader. I led the line to the blue bench and to the blue table. That is where we eat lunch. I like blue and pink and purple. And green. And yellow. And gray. And shakeys. And chickys. Chickys and shakeys. And ducks. And mermaids. And scarfs. And flowers. And flying in an airplane. And lightbulbs. And I like my own lightbulb. I mean, it's a Dora goodnight lightbulb. My mom and dad turn it off when the light is gonna die. So, that's all that I want to say.

In school I built a Matman (I think that means Batman, but she insists it's Matman). Matman has ears and feet and legs and knees and elbows and arms and hands. And he has a body and he has this big round thing that's next to your toe (maybe a heel, I think). And that's it that I want to say.

I am doing good. I love Jonathan. I love his gassing. I love his funny knock-knock jokes. I love his funny earrings. I mean, I love Maggie's funny earrings. Now I'm going to make a snow angel on mommy's bed. I'm going to make a snow angel in the snow. Then I'm going to get up. I can't get up on my bottom. Mom, let's do something else.

Kitarita is doing fine. Seriously, who gave me the Harry Potter birthday card? (That would be, Grandma and Grandpa B).

Me: Are you teaching Zach a lot of new words?

Kate: No. N-O. Here, mom, let me teach you how to spell N-O.

I went to Disneyland for my birthday. Aaaah! I'm falling in the ice cream shop! 1-2-3-4 monsters knocking at my door (sung to the tune of Feist).

Me: What else do you want to say about your birthday?

Kate: Nothing. I'll have a great day at my party. Do we get to make the cake yet?

Bye.

I love you.

Katelyn

September 22

Four years ago today, I became a mommy!

Here is a chronicle of how we celebrated Katelyn's birthday:

Last day of preschool:

Everyone looks at her lunchbox and says she must be a big Angels fan. Not really. They were just handing them out free at an Angels game once.We couldn't find any muffins without nuts or chocolate (someone has severe allergies), or Harry Potter cupcake toppers, so we opted for fruit snacks and made these birthday tags on lolipop sticks. We thought the bird stamp was cute.

Katelyn made two friends at preschool today and got to lead the line at lunch. All in all it was a good day!

When daddy came home we rushed off to Disneyland. Katelyn got a birthday gift card from the lady at guest services. Kate told her she was going to ride "It's a Small World" for her birthday. Adam and I exchanged looks...hoping it would be possible (the park was closing in 30 minutes and we had a long way to go still). We entered the park and rushed over to Small World with 15 minutes to spare. The entrance was blocked off by a parade. At first we were a little bugged...until we realized it was a parade to celebrate birthdays!!! So we told Kate that guest services must have phoned Mickey and told him to rush a birthday party over to Small World where Katelyn would be waiting. She thought it was simply magical! When the parade ended we booked it over to Small World and were practically the first in line...no waiting!! Perfecto!

Very exciting!

Does anyone else think the puppets are creepy?

The park was closed by the time we finished Small World, so we went to the Disney store at Downtown Disney to use up her gift card. We found an awesome apron that says "Domestic Princess". I thought that was perfect since I am a Domestic Goddess...(just a little joke)...so we got it. She found a Sleeping Beauty barbie with a pink horse. She had been dreaming that one up for months, but I had no luck in finding a Sleeping Beauty barbie anywhere. It was like a miracle when we saw this one in the store. It must have been the last one left, too. Our trip to Disney was very last minute and unplanned, but somehow everything worked out perfectly. I was so pleased!!

We went home and had a slice of the best chocolate cake around...Blackout Cake from Wholesome Choice...and Ben & Jerry's Half Baked ice cream. Katelyn opened her presents, which including her very own Gryffindor robes!! She'll make the cutest Harry Potter ever this Halloween!

Happy Birthday Princess Katelyn!!