racheldenbow posted an entry

We had another simple celebration for Ruby's birthday this year. We had only been in our new house for two weeks and were still swimming in packing paper and stacks of half opened cardboard boxes so I let go of my grand expectations and kept it doable. Sometimes it's all about managing those expectations, huh!

Ruby requested chocolate cake with whipped cream on top so I made a naked cake with four layers (because I had four cake pans) and made our own whipped cream after seeing how easy it was to make from a friend of ours in Colorado. I added some Pokey sticks in the shape of a five and she was a happy girl. We had the extra cake in the fridge all afternoon and by the time everyone was ready for seconds, the kids said the whipped cream tasted like ice cream. It was delicious!

I stayed up the night before hand-painting packing paper with black acrylic paint. Now, before you wonder at my incredible effort to make custom wrapping paper, understand that it was the obvious choice for a lady that had it exploding from the tops of boxes in every room. I also had plenty of black paint and foam brushes and little desire to go back to Wal-Mart with a child or two in tow to purchase the one thing I forgot. Necessity (laziness) is the mother of invention.

She decided she needed a Star Wars themed party the night before her birthday (before I ran off to Wal-Mart for balloons and candles) but she'd switched things up so much from her original idea, I was hoping she was flexible.

We spent the rest of the day relaxing, playing, working, and enjoying our backyard fire pit. Smith decided to start pulling up on things so Brett stuck him in an empty box to help contain him. I had to chase Ruby around the yard to get her picture. With her new numerical standing has also come a little more willfullness. I can take it.

I owe Ruby a big party next year. It seems we make big life adjustments right before or after both big kids' birthdays and sometimes that means our energies are aimed at all of the other things. I'm so thankful that they could care less about having a Pinterest worthy party as long as they get cake and have a few balloons to kick around all afternoon. I'm still going big next year.

I'm so thankful our three kids' birthday's are spread out nicely throughout the calendar year! I'm not sure how anyone manages to do birthdays back-to-back!

Stopping to reflect on where we were this time last year is something my Grandmother always does when we all get together and is probably one of the reasons she has the best memory in the family. This time last year we were welcoming Brett home from deployment and preparing ourselves for our little mystery baby. It was such a special time. Like a familymoon instead of a honeymoon. Doing all I can to remember how much we've made it through in the last few years and how thankful I am for where we are now.

-Rachel