Gearing up for another birthday

In a way I am glad that these birthday's have come now because the house was getting pretty messy! Caleb's birthday was a bit crazy with so many kids here, but it was also fun to see him interact with all his friends. We invited all the girls in Hannah's class and a few other's for this week. She is so fickle with her likes and dislikes that this party has no real theme. I found some generic invites on clearance so we sent them out just in time. I need to plan both parties at the same time next year so Hannah's is ready to go right after Caleb's.

I was telling Abby that a party she went to recently was this boy's first party with friends and she couldn't imagine that. They have been conditioned that they get a party every year. Is that good or bad?

Four years ago today!

This morning this is my conversation with Caleb:

Me: Caleb, do you know what today is? It is your Birthday! Happy Birthday Bud!

Caleb: Really? Are you kidding? Are you serious?

Me: Yep, it is today!

Caleb: Really, I am four now?

Me: Yep, you are really four!

Caleb: I am not three anymore?

Me: Nope, not three anymore

Caleb: I want to be three still...

Sound familar Kellie? He is my crazy, fun, funny, silly boy. When he was born it was so bittersweet. I have always sang the song (which refers to Scripture) that says "He gives and Takes away" He gave us Caleb four years ago! What a crazy kid. I will just list a few things he has either destroyed or broken or lost: cd cases, washcloths down the tub drain, toys down the toilet, the thermostat set to 80 yesterday, countless toys and books, papers, the girls' homework just to name a few.

He also says the craziest things...the other day he said that something "tickled my feelings", He just said to me (with a toy gun in my face) "Maybe I can be of assistance" I am not kidding!

Community garden

One thing I have been thinking about a lot is a community garden that some folks at our church want to build. It is so exciting thinking about summer and flowers! I went to the farmer's market last week and oh, do I love that! The energy there is so amazing! All that discussion about growing things, sinking my hands in the dirt just makes me tingle with anticipation for seeing this garden finished. Our plan is to prepare it and get all the policies done so that next summer we can offer it as true community space. This is a whole new world, too! Raingardens, and rain barrels, were the topics of a seminar I went to this week. There are two more in the coming weeks on planning a garden and starting a community garden. Whew!

Sometimes when I think about where we live and what our winters are like I do wonder why...but then spring arrives and I know!! I love this place! Just having the long hard winters just make us Minnesotans all the more thankful for spring and summer. It makes us find contentment where we are!

Wiped out

I think it was Monday that the pain set in. Now it is Wednesday and my head feels like it could explode at any point. I think it is just head cold but wow I have not felt this bad for a long time! I sat down with Caleb today and told him today about what was happening when he was born and it was fun to talk to him about my mom.