The big surprise.

So Ethan's birthday turned out to be a big hit. He started the day with a sleep in, a basket full of goodies (some of his favorite treats, art from the kids, a few health & money magazines, a scrapbook layout, and a running arm band for his ipod), and candles in his croissant. We then headed to the Family Fun Center for mini golf, video games, bumper cars, and squirting water boats. Lunch was at the Old Spaghetti Factory, then we had a date of delicious appetizers at La Medusa, with wine and very connecting talks. Hope you enjoyed it, Sweetie!

I love this man.

I am so blessed to have him. He is just what I need, and God knew it. We're going on nine years married this fall, and while E feels his stomach grumble at the thought of turning 37 this week, I think he is going to ROCK this year! Here's why you're the best, Honey:

*You make a killer pizza.

*You get up with the kids nearly every morning before work so I can run, pray, and start my day.

*You have seen me through the good, the bad, and the ugly, and with such love and adoration.

*You're kids feel so lucky to have the silliest dad they know.

*This Spring, you decided to get your act together and take care of yourself. Look at you now, honey! (He's going to kill me for putting that swimsuit shot here!) You kick booty on the Kung Fu mat, in the home gym, and at the three-mile loop near our house- with kids in tow on the bike trailer.

*You keep your morals and your beliefs right in front of you at work, in the often greedy field of finance. Your clients trust you, and you don't take that for granted.

*You are the meanest penalty kicker, ping ponger, and all-elbows hoop shooter I've ever watched, and I mean that in a good way.

*You provide, you love, you lead.

We love you, Sweetie. Here's to another fabulous 37 years of your very lived life.

Pop

My honey was such a super dad, giving me a whole weekend to be with the girls, scrapbook, chat, and play! But even on an ordinary weekend, he'll tote the kids to the in-laws for the day so I can have the house to myself for reading, supercleaning, movies, or scrapbooking. He walks them down the beach or takes them on a hike, totes them on the bike or-and for this I double commend him- takes them somewhere that I refuse to go, like the Family Fun Center or Wild Waves. My poor kids would never visit these amusement parks because dear Mommy can't stand the crowds, noise, and chaos. But dear ol' dad will give them a handful of quarters for games, let them crash into him on the bumper cars track, pull them on the bike, and stop for ice cream along the way.

Love you, honey.

You rock.

So the morning jam session has become a bit of a norm around here. E now works 4 ten hour days so half of the week this is his only time with the kids. They're fast asleep when he comes home at night. So the deal was, when he shifted his work schedule, that he would be ever so kind enough to "do" mornings, feed the kids, make the coffee, etc., while I got a peaceful shower in. Then I would go ahead and be solo with the kids the rest of the day. Well, as chaotic as it can be to start a day as a SAHM without a running start, I can hardly complain that they aren't accomplishing enough at this time or I'm not getting enough help. They simply eat and listen to their dad singing songs about kids named True and Carsen. In fact, if this is their only time with this phenominal man for another 24 hours, I can't think of a better way for them to spend it.