Birthday Week, Day Two: Sunglasses and Monsters

Since we gave C her big birthday present yesterday, we are doing little things to celebrate each day this week until her birthday on Saturday. Today, Husband was off work, so we got to spend the whole day playing together. He spent the morning playing outside with C while I had an appointment and when I got home, we gave her today's little present.

New sunglasses! They are pretty sassy.

While we were playing outside, C pointed to a stump from the crab apple tree we cut down yesterday and exclaimed, "a monster! Roar!" She kept saying she was scared, so Husband took care of it...

Scary "monster"

Daddy to the rescue!

We watched him work and then clapped and cheered, "Yay, Daddy!" I love her little imagination and love Husband for indulging it. Our backyard is now monster free.

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

This week, Husband crossed over the precipice and left his twenties behind him. He made me promise not to throw him a party for the big 3-0, so we celebrated with family this week instead.

Last Sunday, his parents joined us for lunch and presents. Catherine helped me make Husband's favorite meal - pot roast, mac and cheese, and fried okra; and his mom brought her famous chocolate chess pie. 

It was such a nice, relaxing way to celebrate our favorite person. And C loved getting to spend time with her Mim and Pop!

Since his actual birthday fell on a work day, we settled for a quick celebratory lunch in the food court (and a carousel ride of course). 

Last night, we were able to celebrate with my family. My brother-in-law's birthday is this week, so we had a combo dinner complete with way too many cupcakes.

I somehow managed to get zero photos of Husband or my brother-in-law; but I managed to get plenty of C dressing up in my and my sister's old dance costumes! We had so much fun relaxing and celebrating with family this whole week.

Husband's favorite response to people making a big deal about his birthday is this quote:

There comes a time when you should stop expecting other people to make a big deal about your birthday. That time is age 11. -Dave Barry

Nevertheless, I can't not celebrate the life that has changed mine so much. This man is truly my best friend. He makes me laugh. He has been beside me during some of my favorite memories. He is my late night movie marathon partner, my early morning dance partner, my toughest critic, and my biggest fan. It's tough not to love him or all that he is. He is selfless, gentle, and loving. He is thoughtful and loyal. He works tirelessly to provide a beautiful life for our family; and, above all, he is the best father to the best gift we have ever received. 

I can't imagine my life without this man, nor do I want to. I am thankful for his birth today and every single day. 

Happy birthday, my love (and don't worry, you don't look a day over 29)!

Under the Sea

Few things are better in this life than experiencing something new through the eyes of your child, so we took advantage of being in Atlanta for the weekend and spent Sunday exploring The Georgia Aquarium. 

To say it is impressive is an understatement. We were there all day and only finished half of it; but C was exhausted from partying the night before at Stone Mountain and ended up taking a cat nap in her stroller while we ate lunch. 

We still had the best time walking through the exhibits and watching C's face light up as animals we'd read about swam over her head.

We watched the dolphin show and C was mesmerized. She clapped and gasped with glee each time a dolphin surfaced. When a ball dropped down from the rafters for a trick, she excitedly pointed and said, "ball!" and when it was pulled back up after the trick, she cried out, "oh no!"

It truly is magical to watch her experience new things. I love watching her eyes widen as she sees something thrilling or watching her brow furrow as she tried to make sense of it all. I love watching Husband carry her all over the place and point out different creatures. I love that in every experience is a lesson and in every place, a classroom. And I love that I get to share this sweet, smart little girl with the man she calls Daddy.

Georgia Aquarium, we'll be back. There are many more memories to be made.

Perspective

My dad likes to tell a story about when I was little and visited his work for a family day. They had fun snacks and a bouncy house. From then on, I begged to go to work with him because I was convinced that all he did was eat snacks and jump in a bouncy house all day.

Fast forward a few years and C and I often visit Husband at his office, which is conveniently located in a huge office building attached to the mall. We usually meet for lunch in the food court and then ride the carousel. How long do you think we have until C starts telling people that her Daddy eats french fries, rides the carousel, and plays on a train at his job?

And people will think, "Wow! Your Daddy has the best job ever!" as they try to picture a 6'4" grown man riding gleefully up and down on a carousel pony.