Sweet Pea's Birthday: By the Numbers

Candles on C’s cow cake: 2

(I have to admit that the highlight of the entire weekend—for me and for Chris—was Cate’s expression as everyone sang “Happy Birthday” to her. We had been talking about what would happen at her party for about a week and she knew the general order of events: cake, singing, clapping, candles, more clapping.

I don’t know how else to describe it other than to say that she was awestruck. It was as if she couldn’t believe that this moment (cake, singing, clapping, candles, more clapping) was actually here and it was even better than she had ever imagined.

Seriously. You are all getting a copy of the video for Christmas…)

Giant mylar balloons: 3 (cow, pig, horse)

(C went with Chris to pick up the balloons at Hy-Vee before her party. The minute she saw them she burst into song—“Old McDonald Had a Farm”).

Times we sang “Happy Birthday”: 3

(This is the official count but after the big party on Saturday we sang it at least 3 times a day until Tuesday, her actual birthday)

Hula hoop attempts by Erin & Chris: 6

(Erin is the official champion of the first ever “Johnson-Klitgaard Hula Hoop Contest.” Special thanks to Jessie, our extraordinary babysitter, for giving us a foolproof way to embarrass our children when the contest video is played at their high school graduation parties).

Buses ridden: 4

(C loves buses and especially the song, “Wheels on the Bus.” She knows all the verses so if you’ve forgotten any just give us a call and we’ll put her on the phone. Today we went down to campus and rode CamBus (the free university bus) around. We hopped on and off four different buses and once—if you can believe it—the driver even said, “Move on back.”)

Cookies taken to Kindermusik to share with our friends: 24 (everyone got 2)

(Chris and I had another “oh-my-God-I-love-this-child-so-much” moment at Kindermusik as Sweet Pea was serenaded by 12 toddlers, 11 mommies, 1 grandpa and our beloved teacher, Miss Blum with a slightly off-key rendition of “Happy Birthday.” Cate was so excited she was literally glowing. Then she gave cookies—with frosting and sprinkles—that she and Great-Grandma Johnson made to all of her friends).

Well, it's definitely not Cheerios.

Ben had his first encounter with solid food yesterday in the form of rice cereal. Following in his big sister's footsteps, he opened up eagerly for his first bite. However, when the spoon entered his mouth he grimaced, as if in pain, and let the cereal drip from the corners of his mouth, down his chin, and onto his shirt...

Overheard

**********

C (while eating pancakes): My tummy growin' Mommy! My tummy growin'.

**********

C: B got tiny pocket on cargo pants.

Mommy: What should we put in it?

C: Chicken noodle soup.

**********

Mommy tries on a new shirt after Little Buddy spits up down her back and wipes a giant, green booger on her shoulder.

C: Mommy look cute.

**********

Rockin', Rollin', and...Restin'

It has been a busy day for The Benjamin. Not only did he turn 5 months old today, but he rolled over (back to tummy) for the very first time!

It's hard work being a baby!

We're Back!

After a short break--and I hesitate to call it a "spring break" since there were no margaritas, or suntan lotion in sight--we're back.

C almost had her very first swimming lesson on Saturday. I say "almost" because after loading everyone (Mommy, Daddy, Sweet Pea, Little Buddy, Grandma AND Grandpa) in the car and driving to the Athletic Center we learned that class was cancelled due to intstructor illness. Given that the instructor is probably a 21-year-old college student, I took this to mean that he/she was, perhaps, too hung over to deal with a roomful of loudly splashing toddlers.

They let us stay to swim and C had a blast. Daddy took her into the pool and she kept shouting, "I'm swimming! I'm swimming!"

B likes to swim too but, to date, has only ventured as far as the bathtub...