Crazy Life Happenings...

Since my fury from this week, I finally have calmed down and decided I would give it another go at trying to be a good blogger and post about the precious nuggets...

Two or three days before Riley's actual birthday, we were walking around the mall when she turned to me and said, "Momma, don't you think I need a birthday outfit for my birthday party? I mean, a NEW one?" And if you know Riley's voice, you know it's hard to say no to her when she is trying to be super sweet. Of course, I couldn't turn her down and as I began walking toward The Children's Place (the more economical clothing store in the mall), she grabbed my hand and led me to Gymboree (the store where you have to remortgage your house to get one outfit and take out another adjustable rate mortgage loan to get an outfit for your other child).

It didn't take me long to see that for Riley, it wasn't about the outfit, it was about the shoes. As she scoured the store for what she considered to be "heels," she came across a pair that resembeled a slight heel and it could have been poop brown for all she cared. It was what she wanted. What she didn't realize was the price tag that came along, $34.50...for a pair of shoes. Being that she was MY child, she was quick to point out the "SALE" sign after I sighed and said, "Riley, these are expensive." She looked at me with her big brown eyes and long, wispy lashes and said, "But momma, I just love them." So there I stood with a pair of blue floral sandals wondering how much I was going to spend after having to find something to match those shoes. Within seconds, she screams "I found a dress that matches!!!" I walk over slowly and see that she's picked the dress with the same exact pattern as her shoes and as I grab the price tage of the dress, she steps up on her very tippy toes to grab the head band that coordinates. A girl can't have an outfit without the proper accessories, right?

There we were, in Gymboree with an outfit that was going to cost us $100 and poor Ronan was going to get nothing. Thank goodness for coupons, because I had one and woo hoo, it was GymBucks time. It occurred to me that if Ryan was going to be upset, I would just have to tell him I was saving HIM money. It was on sale.

We left the store, poorer. But Riley was happier and looking forward to the day she would be able to wear the dress. And on July 12th, the morning of her party, she modeled it for all of us to see. Here she is with Ronan before we left for her party:

The party was exhausting. There were a ton of screaming kids and not enough alcohol (or not any, I should say...) and I left there knowing that I will only be the mother of two children. Riley and her friend, Hannah, had a great time and it was good to see them both so happy to be around their school friends. Hannah's mom, Lori, and I have decided: Never Again. It was way too much work. I'm spoiled. I like things planned for me. I think the next party will be an all-inclusive one. One where you show up with your kid and their friends, they wear them all out with some sort of activity, you eat cake, open presents and then you go home. And THEY clean up! Anyway...thanks to everyone who came and shared this special once-in-a-lifetime 6th birthday party with Riley.

So for my birthday, Ryan got mii a Wii. And with it came the Wii Fit and Mario Kart. I love the Wii. It's a family affair, for sure. What's great about it, is that there aren't a ton of buttons to press when you want to play a game, so it is extremely kid friendly and the games we have are so entertaining...not just for me, but for Ronan, as well. He loves the Mario Kart game. We didn't have a controller hooked up for him, but gave him the empty wheel to play with and he sat, completely content, feeling as though he was actually part of the game. And here are all my kids, I mean, the kids and Ryan...enjoying a race around Coconut Mall. Even when you are in last place on this game, it's still fun. Frustrating at times? Yes, but fun.

Even Riley got into it. She generally gets upset if she loses (can you say, 'sore loser'?) but this game is so fun that she didn't even really think about it...not until they give you the score at the end and she had a big fat ZERO. As Ryan says, "Zero is so much better than a negative one, Riley."

And I say, "yes, Ryan...except if you are talking about pounds."

And what week would be complete without Dinner with Shelley Wednesdays? I'll tell you what week. Last week, Shelley thought she was entitled to some sort of vacation at the beach and left us high and dry for our Wednesday dinner (mind you, that was my actual birthday she missed...feeling guilty yet?) Kidding. But, she made it up to us by taking Ryan and I out to our new favorite Mexican restaurant, Sinigual, on Monday...and then she and Elsie came over for Pho (Vietnamese beef noodle soup) on Wednesday.

If you haven't ever had Pho, you need to find a Vietnamese restaurant and try it. The first time Ryan had it was when we were dating. He didn't think he would like it -- but he loved it. Since my mom has been here, we've/she's made it every other week. It's been such a treat and now that I know how to do it, I'll be able to make this Pho Soup for the Soul on occasion. It's delish.

Here are Shelley and Riley...they love each other...

And someone, thank you Shelley, thought it would be a good idea to put poor little Elsie in Ronan's shopping cart for Mr. Crazy to push around. Surprisingly, Ronan was very gentle and loved the fact there was a tiny being for him to push. He must've gone back and forth in the living room over a dozen times with her. He had the biggest smile on his face and was like the gentle giant when he would pet her. Truly, one of the cutest things ever.

And speaking of Ronan, he's made some accomplishments these past few days. He's starting to add a few words here and there and his latest word is: "GO!"

Ryan will make the kids run from one side of the house to the other -- to get them tired -- and will make it a race, screaming "Ready, set, go!" and within the past two days, I've found Ronan standing in the kitchen, yelling "go" to himself and running back and forth. It's so funny and it's a happy moment all at the same time.

I didn't think I would be that happy to hear him say things. With Riley, talking came so easy. She'd repeat everything I'd say, almost like a parrot. Her pronounciation of words was impeccable. With Ronan, it's been so much more difficult and heart-wrenching...only because I know and have seen him get so frustrated and upset over not being able to get us to understand what he wants. We are back to the pediatrician on Monday for his well-visit and hopefully then, I'll be able to get some input about what the next step will be about his speech and whether or not he'll need a speech therapist. We shall see...