Party Train

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'Scuse me. Party train comin' throuuuuuugh. But, Kendra? You don't throw birthday parties? Especially for children. It's like...against your constitution. Or so you said.

Oh? Who said anything about a birthday party?

Oh, well I just thought, you know, since your firstborn turned five last week and you were talking about party trains that it had something to do with a --

Ahhh. Ah, yes, quite right. Well, I am still the same woman who is not a huge birthday party buff. Or a fan of baby showers. Or bridal showers. Or anything that involves sitting for long periods of time or that feels forced or requires me to wear nylons on a non-work day or that doesn't involve pinatas. I spend 5-6 days a week in company I don't get to choose. I need at least one day with a posse of my choosing.

I'm sorry, were you saying something about a party train?

Bah! Yes. Indeed. So, I did use the occasion of Baby Girl's turning five to invite some of my friends who just happen to have children who are in Baby Girl's sabbath school class to come for brunch. I may or may not have made a garland with Baby Girl's name on it as a rouse -- causing the partygoers to think it was all about Baby Girl when it was only 90% about her and a solid 10% dedicated to making the Smitten Kitchen french toast and baked eggs ranchero.

Well, that sounds selfish. And decadent.

Summarily selfish and decadent.

Do you have pictures?

Do I have pictures?

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You can't play a princess video game without a princess ensemble. You just can't.

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Check-up

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I was watching a video of 18 month-old Baby Girl today, and just that 1 minute 30 second of poorly captured bathtime frivolity reminded me of how much I had forgotten. Like how instead of saying, "Ciao!" she used to say "Bye, Chow!" like there was this invisible playmate named Chow who followed us around and only wished for an occasional adieu. So I thought I'd offer myself and anyone else who can bear the unremarkableness a little check-up on the fambam at this present moment in time, January 2013. *** Mr. Loverpants IMG_0646

Working: hard at building up his client load to about 10/week. Teaching 2 courses this semester. Reading: the usual mixed cocktail of Boston Globe, Chatt Times Free Press, NYT, Slate, etc. Exercising: regularly, and playing frisbee just about every weekend Learning: about teaching Aging and Society Enjoying: riding the motorino all over town

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Working: hard on teaching Little Man to express emotions through words instead of pushing hands Reading: short books with simple vowel/consonants! Exercising: at swim lessons which begin soon! Learning: how to pray with intention rather than just repetition Enjoying: My Little Ponies and drawing unicorns, particularly ones with legwarmers

Little Man IMG_0640

Working: on staying in his own bed all night long. Reading: books involving vehicles of any kind. Exercising: by running, running in all directions, as children are wont to do Learning: how to sing church songs--he has such a sweet voice! Enjoying: Thomas the Train ad nauseum, building tracks and playacting scenes with Baby Girl.

Kendra leaves3

Working: to stay organized and on top of grading--so far this has been the most focused semester. Reading: a book on antiquing by Maureen Stanton and finally reading A Thousand Gifts Exercising: trying to hit hot yoga once/week and running 4-6 mi/week, some weight training Learning: more about design, typography, and the publishing industry Enjoying: getting crafty with my kiddies, watching NBC Parenthood and of course Downton Abbey Season 3