Happy Birthday to my kids!

The birthdays are finally over and I have 2 very lucky and very happy kids!

We traveled to Orlando this past week to celebrate the birthdays of my 1 year old and 4 year old who have birthdays 8 days apart.  First, we had cupcakes on my 4 year old’s birthday with the family that was in Orlando.  She loved it!  And, the next morning we woke up and took her to Magic Kingdom where we let her be a sorcerer of the Magic Kingdom.  After a few missions, we went and had lunch at Cinderella’s Royal Table at the castle.  She had the best seat in the house because every princess came straight to her when they entered the room.  5 princesses in one lunch, plus she got to have frosting in a cone for dessert.  That was one happy girl.  After that, I had scheduled fastpass+ experiences with Rapunzel and Snow White (Jade was dressed as Rapunzel).  Then, the new talking Mickey sang happy birthday to her.  We ended the day with Enchanted Tales with Belle.  It was wonderful!  She was so happy.  I don’t know what made her happy, her day at Disney or getting a Kindle Fire of her own.

The next day was the big 1st birthday party for Maxwell.  It was themed after the book the Very Hungry Caterpillar. I made a caterpillar banner that stretched across the food table and had a picture of Maxwell for each month of his first year.  The food was all the foods from the book.  Apple, Pear, Plum, Strawberries, Oranges, swiss cheese, salami, sausage, pickles, cherry pie, cupcakes, chocolate cake, lollipop, and green leaves (spinach).  It was a huge hit.  Maxwell did great with the cake (and got frosting everywhere).  He handled being passed around by all of the family very well too, as long as someone was feeding him.  The crafts for the bigger kids were a huge hit (they made butterflies and colored).  I forgot to read the book, but it was a great party.  It was nice seeing our friends and family.

But, I am so glad it is all over now.  We have two very lucky kids, and I feel so blessed to be their mother.  I love throwing parties, but planning and throwing a party 1100 miles away from your own home is difficult and stressful and I am glad it is over.  Next year, I am looking forward to 2 parties a week apart for a 2 year old and a 5 year old!

Can you go home again?

Tomorrow we’re headed back to Florida to celebrate the kids’ birthdays.  Jade is super excited, although nervous that someone is going to take her stuff while we’re gone (more on that later). I know it is going to be weird being there when we don’t live there anymore.  How will the boys do, that is what I’m most nervous about?

I moved away from Michigan when I was 18. That first time I came back to visit my family, it was weird.  Although I had only been gone for a few months, I clearly didn’t belong there anymore.  I had moved on, and the people there had moved on it.  We didn’t need each other anymore.  This is what happens when you move away. So, now that we’re going back to visit Florida tomorrow, I’m hoping my family will be okay to see that everyone has moved on and survived without them there.

Jade has already said some things that really make me upset.  First, she said, “when we go to Florida, I want to stay there.  I don’t want to come back to Texas.”  She’s clearly not as happy here as I hoped she would be. I know it is going to take her a little longer to get involved and to make some friends, but it is tough to see her struggling, because she’s such a sensitive girl.  Second, when she asked if we were leaving our stuff here, and I told her yes, she said, “you need to make sure that every door and window is locked so no one can come in here and take my toys.”  I don’t know where that fear is coming from.  But, I’ve assured her that we will not let anyone take her things.

Jeremy is stressed with work (you know, a new job and all, plus he’s worried he isn’t meeting up to their expectations).  So, taking this weekend to leave town is going to be tough on him. I hope he can put it aside and enjoy the time with our family.

So, I’ll let you know how the family does next week when we get back.  I know we’re going to have fun (lunch in the castle with the princesses, Maxwell’s birthday party, and so much more).

Adventures with Customer Service

Moving to San Antonio has been a challenge, to say the least. First there was the car problems on the drive out. Then, we had problems with our Sears delivery of washer, dryer, and refrigerator. And, since the day before Thanksgiving, we’ve been dealing with a furniture store, trying to get a good quality bedroom set. Now, a month and a half later, and 7 visits later, we still don’t have a quality bedroom set!

I hate (and I don’t use that word flippantly) talking to customer service. I have been on the phone with these people way too much. I am stressed just talking to strangers, and I have to be on the phone with these people at least once a week. I get all emotional when they aren’t helpful and take it personally that these people don’t think I deserve quality furniture. I sit on the phone for sometimes over an hour at a time, with a 4 year old (well almost) and a 1 year old (again almost) tugging at me, climbing on me, screaming, singing, etc. almost in tears because they don’t seem to want to help me at all. Just thinking about it again has me almost in tears.

And, after today, it looks like we’re going to have at least one more visit sometime in the future.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET A BEDROOM SET WHERE THE DRAWERS ALL WORK AND THE BACK ISN’T FALLING OFF?