I’ve been excited lately, planning and prepping for my daughter’s fourth birthday party.  And thanks to Zumba class yesterday, I have some songs in my head.  Sing it Tina.

Another happy song –

One more song that we all had fun dancing to at Zumba (that is a little more current).

As you may have noticed from the songs above, I’ve been really happy, high energy, and excited.  I celebrated a birthday (not one of any major milestone), and LOVED that Daddy O. took a half day to prepare one of our favorite meals – lemon / ginger shrimp & asparagus pasta.  The kids and him made peanut butter frosting together with way too much of their saliva in it to share the final peanut butter frosted brownies with anyone else (and I’m okay with NOT sharing those – yum).  Most of all, I loved seeing my kids excitement for my birthday: seeing their little faces glow as they sang happy birthday, gave me big hugs and kisses, and even when my daughter tried guessing my age (her first guess was 50….luckily I was not phased by this, as she can really only count to 20).

Having had such a wonderful birthday myself, when I was really concentrating on planning for my daughter’s birthday all month long, I am very excited to just wrap up the final details, do some cooking and baking, and celebrate how far my daughter has come in four years with our family.

As I mentioned in a previous post called Separation Celebration, it is so rewarding to see and experience your child coming into his or her own.

My firstborn is growing up for sure!

She is loving preschool, no longer growls at strangers (though we’re still working on exchanging some pleasantries), is a fish in her swimming class, and has taken to singing and enjoying our dance parties.  I couldn’t be prouder, and am excited to see her grow and learn more to prepare for 4K next fall.

This parenting gig DOES get easier, and I’ve been so happy to move beyond some of the potty training horror stories, and other toddler drama, and simply have fun with my kids.  Then I remember that my son is only two, so I’ll have more toddler drama in store just when I least expect it.

Tonight on a date night (reason to be happy #1001), I’ll raise a glass with Daddy O. to a fun party this weekend and to more joys of parenting ahead.  Cheers & Happy Friday!