Ready, set, moustache

Happy Birthday, Dear J.Bird!

Wow. You're 7, already. I don't think any of us can believe it. This morning, while getting ready for school, you took down the streamers that made a car wash/curtain into your room and said, "the party is officially over." After a week of celebrating, you're moving on. What a week!

You started the week off on Monday, your real birthday, by telling any kid who lives in our neighborhood to come over for a party that you had planned on your own. We, naturally, were planning on doing cake and presents (you requested a surfboard this year... I must find a picture to add to this post later. It was cool) but had not intended on the bum-rush of neighborhood youth, ready to wish you a happy birthday and share cake. It was classic. I love how you're a little party planner. You have such a fun-loving personality and really don't get caught up in the drama of pre-tween life like some girls your age.... well, except for the overly occasional excuses to visit the nurse's office at school...You just want to play, run around, get dirty and have fun. You are easy-going, don't hold a grudge and love being with the people who love you, doing...whatever.

You're not really big into make-believe anymore.. unless you are the dog or kid. You are more aware than most of the way things really work, socially. Who wants to make-believe when you just want to make it REALLY happen? You're concerned for people and don't want anyone to be lonely or hurt. You are quite a writer. We love deciphering your phonetic notes and cards. You're a journaler and a pen pal, and as always, an artist.

You have a great sense of style. Your favorite clothing is jeans or jean cut-offs (still) and you love to accessorize everything with a hat. You have a "deal" as you say, when dressing for your t-ball games (similar to the soccer uniform "headband" thing).. your shorts are always hiked up, shirt tucked waaay in. Love it. I guess you're a tom-boy, but you still love glitter and lip gloss and always look cute.

Your permanent teeth are coming in. Awkward for some, but not our Jbird. Totally unfazed and nothing a fake moustache won't fix. ha! You love to make us laugh... especially Campbell. He adores you. You could drop him on the ground and trip over him and he'd still be smiling. Everyone tells me it is so great for you that we have another child. But, I always say, I am so glad you were here first. You made our life the happy chaos it was and is. We love that your brother is used to the action of our every days and he just rolls with the punches. You have shown me how resilient children are and helped me to fear less the unknown of raising a family.



You ended your birthday week by picking out this awesome bike from Nana and Poppi (with hand break, was a prerequisite) and having a pool party at the Y-M-C-A ( I was singing, just then). Everyone came.. and even your dad, who was on death's door this past week with pneumonia/who-knows-what got in the pool and had a blast with you and your friends. You chose the gummy-shark cupcake theme (above), too.

You have grown up so much just since starting first grade. Every time we blink, you're another inch taller and busting out of your shoes. It makes us appreciate every minute, seeing how they all fly by so quickly. You continue to surprise us with your never-ceasing curiosity and most always make us proud.

We love you.
xoxox

Moustache Fiesta

Julia's "roomies" threw a great bash for her big two-oh! on Sunday..
Is it mardi gras, still? This moustache tastes good (I swear his tounge was coated in black fur..ya.. mother of the year, here. It's all about the pix, right?)

Townsend and his binkie get in on the act.

Daddy's girl

The second annual San Elijo Father-Daughter dance. Jadyn was SO excited about it.. and yes, this moustached man took her. In fact, he took her out to a realllly fancy dinner (I was tres jealouse) after they cut a rug at the school cafeteria. The dress reminded me of one of the first outfits Justin had for Jadyn when she was a tyke... blue pinstripe. She let me curl her hair and put on her "diamonds" and both of them donned Marc Jacobs cologne/ perfume (yes, Jadyn insisted on "spritzing" some of mine... "just like at Macy's," she said).. I don't know if Jadyn recognized the look or scent of her dad that night... he didn't smell like his usual surf-dog-non-showering-self. Flowers by Julia.