With five parties (two of which we threw), the construction-zone-that-was-our-yard, church, work and life, I am finally coming up for air. Which is really saying something because I hate to get my face wet.
Haddie’s birthday was fantastic. Well, mostly. She requested a McDonald’s breakfast so I loaded the kids up in the Chariot stroller and decided to make a run for it. Calories burned: 300. Calories consumed: 3,000. Oh yeeeeeeeah.
And then she got stuck in Playland in an area she has scaled 100 times. I’m not sure if she had deviously planned it (because what kid wouldn’t want to make that their home?) but my vow to let her do what she wanted on her birthday ended then and there. Emphatically. Eventually another empathetic mom climbed up to get her just before I signed over guardianship to Ronald.
Later that morning, Haddie hooked up with her bestest friends, Noland and Rowan (pictured with Mom Tina) for a picnic at a cool park complete with a playground, volleyball courts, a fountain, river, pond and a sweet kayak park.
And some public nudity. Because that is what she does with her friends.
And then there was Casa Bonita. I’m pretty shocked with how many of you across the nation commented you have been there. We decided to skip the 50-person blowout bash like we did last year and just celebrated with Jamie’s family. Since it was mostly adults, I brought in our own cake and party supplies. I’m sure the staff loves cheapskates like me but I just didn’t think Uncle Chris would enjoy wearing their pirate patches and birthday hats.
Predictably, Haddie had a blast, got loads of presents and stuffed her face with Casa Bonita’s infamously bad food. I unveiled her Dora cake and we had our fellow diners join in and belt out Happy Birthday.
Moments later, one of the staff members announced they wanted everyone to sing for a kid who had a Bonita-sanctioned birthday. Admittedly, I reveled we had stolen the thunder.
Because I am competitive like that.
Evidently, so was Bode during his first cake-eating contest.
After dinner, I hauled all the presents out to the car while everyone else delved into the numerous activities. As I limped back, I noticed the hoards of people taking pictures in front of the fountain outside. Inwardly, I mocked them for commemorating the ultimate in tackiness.
Until Jamie’s sister Lisa suggested the same thing.
Evidently I am hypocritical like that.
I'm a Canadian-born mom of two, former Denver Post columnist, family travel writer, editor of MileHighMamas.com and 9News contributor. Expert on all things Utah, Denver, family and travel. Lover of laughter and life. Happily married to a man obsessed with growing The Great Pumpkin. 