I Can't Lie

I won't lie. I watched the Michael Jackson Memorial. And I won't lie about how I started crying when his daughter got up on stage and let the whole world know how much she loved her daddy. Nothing tears me up more than a crying child. I just can't help it. As I watched the memorial, I remembered him in my childhood and I can't deny how I had planned on marrying him at the tender of 4. Or that my mom bought me one of his albums during a visit to Germany so I would feel less homesick. Or that when I was really sad as a kid, I would pull this:

out of its special shelf, hold it close and snuggle with it for comfort. Ah, the memories of childhood. It seems like so long ago, doesn't it? The whole thing, all of it, makes me feel very sad.

A Whole New Age

A birthday moment with me and B

My baby turned 7 today. Every year, I realize that time's going by a lot faster than I'd like it to. I can still remember the nerve racking last night I had before giving birth. I was so nervous and scared and completely convinced myself that there was no way in hell I was going to be able to push a little person out into the world. I was even more convinced I was going to somehow scar this child for life, because what did I know about raising a kid? I was barely 20, and I felt as lost as a puppy in the woods. I've always had the momma instinct, but motherhood was a whole new ballgame I'm still learning day by day. When I held her right after she was born, I was filled with such love and I didn't know you could love someone that much that you just met. And I swear, no matter how much she frustrates me at times, as every year goes by, I love that kiddo more than the last.

It sometimes still scares me a little when I think of that little person putting all her eggs in my basket, assuming everything will be all right and that I'll take care of everything so she can just worry about being a kid. It so much responsibility sometimes that I'm doing a good enough job. But then I look at her, she smiles brightly at me because she's just finished reading three pages of "Harry Potter" all by herself, and I'm filled with this overwhelming sense of pride. I realize she's a great kid and remind myself not to freak out so much. She's a smart, funny, and bright little girl and I'm doing a pretty good job so far.

I've also found that I've grown because of my kiddo. The things that used to bother me, like screaming kids in a restaurant, doesn't even phase me. Even strange things like becoming my daughter's personal towel when she's drying her hands won't make me blink an eye. 10 years ago, maybe, but these days, not even an eyelash.

It's strange how the scariest day of my life was actually the best day I think I'll ever have. I don't think there's anything else in the world that can top the day I became a mommy.

The birthday Princess in her "Princess" nightgown

But my baby's birthday started off with the princess (complete with her Enchanted "Princess" nightgown) opening presents. She enjoyed all her gifts, but in true Brynn fashion, wanted to open every last one of them before she even thought about playing with them. First on the list was the Bumblebee action figure my mom got her and her very first Wii game.

After making her Barbie pony jump a few hurdles and making plenty of money to give her nice and pretty things, we piled in the car to make our way to Chuck E. Cheese, the birthday girl's choice of fun. It was small party of three at her request. We played plenty of skee ball and win more tickets games. She walked away with a few cool "free" prizes. Tired and full of pizza, we headed back home so she could open her last present and eat some cake.

The obligatory Chuck E. Cheese pony ride

She made her wishes and we all sat down to eat chocolate cake with chocolate frosting (again, Brynn's choice). I told her a few stories about the day she was born. I got a little misty eyed as we went through our "Brynn" photo album and received a dirty look because I was "crying" again. All in all, it was a wonderful and relaxing day. Happy birthday, baby, I'm hoping you have another great year.

Homemade chocolate cake. I even spelled "birthday" right this time, ha, ha.

Another special birthday wish

Vacation, All I Ever Wanted

We visited my friend Lili (we haven’t seen her since she left Italy in late 2007) in California for a few days and had a blast, even with the bumped nose in the pool fiasco. We spent the first day hanging at the pool before going to Carl’s Jr. The kid’s idea because it had an outdoor jungle gym.

My girl Lily

On Monday, we went to Six Flags that consisted with the normal kid complaints: “Can I get an Icee?” “My feet hurt.”, and my favorite, “Why can’t we just go to the pool?” This was followed by plenty of “Can we go to the pool when we get home?” With plenty of explaining and an absolute foot down because it would be too dark and we’d be too tired, there was still a lot of fun to be had. The log ride was the biggest hit and we waited in line for it to be fixed, though we didn’t know it was broke when we got in line. We just figured everyone in the park wanted to ride. But, it was worth it. It was a cooling off we really needed because it felt like it was at least 100 degrees out.

A very blue and beautiful Icee tongue.

The kids had fun and so did the adults. We ended the day with funnel cake topped with strawberries, ice cream and whipped cream. It was all for the adults, of course. After surviving a whole day at the theme park with six kids, I think we pretty much deserved it. And all three kids wanted to help us finish it off, which we refused because they had plenty of sugar before that. We finished eating the funnel cake after all of about 10 bites each and let the kids have at it.
Which of course they plowed into like that was their first meal of the day.

The enoromous (but yummy) funnel cake. You can't see the strawberries hidden under all the whip and ice cream, but it's there. It was a somewhat healthy treat. And by somewhat, I mean not really.

The starving children of America.

Tuesday consisted of IHOP and the kids all agreed that Mac and Cheese is the best dish to eat at any restaurant. Then off to the pool again. We had fun playing “Red Light, Green Light” until B swam under water right into the pool wall, hitting herself square in the nose in the process. The crying began instanly and I scooped her right out the pool within seconds. Her nose was a little red , but other than that, it was still in one piece. Placated with an offer of popsicles and ice cream after dinner, we left the pool with no arguments.

Our last night in Cali was pretty uneventful, some light packing and watching “Racing Stripes”. We did enjoy our time, but Wednesday afternoon we were on a flight back to Ohio. We had a stopover in Denver that made nostalgic over the time we lived there. Colorado was great, but then were most of our assignments. Minus one that shall remain nameless. We arrived home with no major flight problems. All our luggage arrived intact and nothing missing (unlike the time my underwear was stolen out of my suitcase, but that’s a whole other story). A pretty tiring, and uneventful day, which I have absolutely no complaints about. I’m a huge fan of boring flights and airports.

Boredom Overcomes Me

So I'm sitting in the hospital waiting room, well waiting for my mom. So very bored and so very tired. My eyelids keep closing of their own accord. Even my BlackBerry's having trouble keeping me awake. Only thoughts of my upcoming vacation (which starts in 5 days, but I'm not counting or anything) are enough to amuse me right now. Thoughts of my next 4 working shifts are not.

But on the bright side, I will be going on vaca. Also, I have written this much of my book:

At this rate, I might actually finish it before the end of the year. Now that's some serious motivation. I'm trying to get to 65% before I go on leave. Crossing my fingers very tightly on that one.

I love summer vacation. It includes spending more time with my kiddo, days lounging at the pool, and unplanned trips to nearby amusement parks. Can there be anything better in life? Not counting winning the lottery.

My Other Children

I couldn't help myself. The mini Uggs just called my name. They were practically yelling it. And they were so cute and cuddly, how could I say no? I'm such a sucker for cute pair of boots (shoes and purses, too). And I'm not ashamed to admit that they make the spending money part of me just a tiny bit happy.

Newly clean and rearranged almost 7-year-old's room

I finally finished with spring cleaning for B's room. I got rid of a bunch of toys that haven't seen the light of day since before we left Italy and in return, she got a brand new big girl desk. Minus the chair that we'll be picking up this weekend, of course. I'm pretty proud of my work, but we all know it'll only stay nice and clean for all of 2 seconds.

Troy Bolton's My Hero . . .

My baby girl would be so upset if she was old enough to watch it. Tee, hee. Poor B.