Another milestone bites the dust
Milestones make me cry. It never fails. If I've been to your wedding, rest assured that I cried during some or most of it. At my own wedding, I could hardly get through my vows and I started crying every time I had a chance to speak. When each of my kids were born, I practically hyperventilated. The first day they each went to daycare, I could hardly say goodbye to them and cried all the way home. I wouldn't normally describe myself as an emotional person, but I'll start crying when I see a milestone coming from a mile away. Which is the only explanation I can think of to explain why I almost started crying when I told my dental hygenist that Martin was going to his first birthday party for a friend... alone.
Martin received an invitation for a birthday party for his friend Jordan, an afternoon filled with games, activities and dinner at Burger King. Jordan's parents would pick him up and bring him back home. After I read the invitation about 25 times to Martin, he said "Who will stay there with me?" I explained that he would be going by himself and that he would have a great time, he wouldn't even miss me. Then it hit me like the rock that it is - MILESTONE. His first party for a friend and without a parent that marks a growing child who is heading towards independence.
As I write this, I can practically see the whites of the eyes of my mom and probably Mrs. McInerny rolling in their heads. I can hear their groans as they shout "THIS IS NOTHING, YOU ARE HEADING FOR SO MUCH MORE, DEARIE. BETTER BUCK UP." Rest assured, I only felt sappy for a few minutes, then proceeded to have a fine time with Sophie. And thought long and hard about whether or not now is a good time to consider a third child.
Martin was picked up in a vehicle decorated like a fancy prom for three and four year-olds. They thought it was SO cool. They were served juice boxes and popcorn as they drove down to the park to throw apples at the geese (supposedly to feed them).
They played games, hung out with each other and had dinner at Burger King. Jordan's mom reported that Martin was very polite, saying please and thank you. Overhearing Jordan use the word "poopy", Martin told him that "we don't use that word at our house", and he said that he didn't need to use the toilet but told the group that he "did have a little gas". Not bad at all.
When they dropped Martin off, he gave Jordan a big hug and said goodbye all the way from the front door to the car, running out to him several times along the way. "Jordan, I love you. Wait! I forgot to say goodbye. And thank you! And I love you! And Happy Birthday!" As they were pulling out of the driveway, Martin asked "Why did they bring me home? We didn't even have cake."
We all made it through this milestone without any problems, unless you count a birthday without cake as a problem. Which apparently Martin does.
Martin received an invitation for a birthday party for his friend Jordan, an afternoon filled with games, activities and dinner at Burger King. Jordan's parents would pick him up and bring him back home. After I read the invitation about 25 times to Martin, he said "Who will stay there with me?" I explained that he would be going by himself and that he would have a great time, he wouldn't even miss me. Then it hit me like the rock that it is - MILESTONE. His first party for a friend and without a parent that marks a growing child who is heading towards independence.
As I write this, I can practically see the whites of the eyes of my mom and probably Mrs. McInerny rolling in their heads. I can hear their groans as they shout "THIS IS NOTHING, YOU ARE HEADING FOR SO MUCH MORE, DEARIE. BETTER BUCK UP." Rest assured, I only felt sappy for a few minutes, then proceeded to have a fine time with Sophie. And thought long and hard about whether or not now is a good time to consider a third child.
Martin was picked up in a vehicle decorated like a fancy prom for three and four year-olds. They thought it was SO cool. They were served juice boxes and popcorn as they drove down to the park to throw apples at the geese (supposedly to feed them).
They played games, hung out with each other and had dinner at Burger King. Jordan's mom reported that Martin was very polite, saying please and thank you. Overhearing Jordan use the word "poopy", Martin told him that "we don't use that word at our house", and he said that he didn't need to use the toilet but told the group that he "did have a little gas". Not bad at all.
When they dropped Martin off, he gave Jordan a big hug and said goodbye all the way from the front door to the car, running out to him several times along the way. "Jordan, I love you. Wait! I forgot to say goodbye. And thank you! And I love you! And Happy Birthday!" As they were pulling out of the driveway, Martin asked "Why did they bring me home? We didn't even have cake."
We all made it through this milestone without any problems, unless you count a birthday without cake as a problem. Which apparently Martin does.
Oh my gosh, I loved this posting. (Like the use of gosh?) One of my first thoughts was if they get picked up for Birthday parties in a decorated car at Martin's age, are they going to be having hideous parties like MTV "Sweet Sixteen" at 6? I think there are some regular readers who know the show I am referring but I know you won't Jennie and that is a good thing.
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I'm sorry, I forgot to comment on how cute this story is and Martin's reaction to the whole day. This was such a milestone and I know what you are feeling. One milestone at a time, you don't need to know how hard it is to deal with Santa Claus, the Easter bunny and the tooth fairy yet. I think the end of innocence in those cases is the hardest thing on Mothers. At least is was for me.
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The worst milestones are the ones that sneak up on you. When Andra's first tooth showed up curled inside her little fist, out of NOWHERE, I had no idea where all those tears came from. (Mine of course - she was giddy and hysterically laughing, she had money coming and she made momma cry - a double header!) Hang in there. Just remember that in addition to the boo hoo milestones, there are the "Oh my God, someone just pooped and wiped THEMSELF!" milestones. Just remember to do a little party dance for those ones to balance out the crying ones.
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I am a milestone girl, but without the tears. I think that time passes so quickly and I try to mark so much for the girls. I often think and wonder how my mom felt watching us kids grow up. I am having the best time watching our kids and enjoying every minute of it.
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Martin is adorable! I love the decorated car. Cute idea.
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What's with the cage in the van? And did they all have to bring their own carseats? That child's parents are my definition of BRAVE!
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The cage is actually a net kind of thing that allows them to jam pack the back of the van with loot, without it toppling over onto the children. I'm not sure how they fill it up and then close the back door.
This family was already set up with the car seats - in addition to the birthday boy, they have 2-1/2 year old TRIPLETS. So they actually removed a row and a car seat for the birthday party. They had less kids for the birthday party than they do on a normal day with their own family. I like to get together with this family then watch Marty slowly go berserk with six kids between the ages of 18 mo. and 4 years running around.
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WOW!! I'm glad to know that - I thought maybe they had brought the paddy wagon in.
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