My Crazy, Birthday Saturday

I posted on Saturday about my love/hate of my birthday. I was in a pretty cranky mood Friday night. I knew that Saturday would be crazy so I had to do some prepping. Since I work weekends, it's very hard to get the Angry Family all in one place at one time. Angry Husband promised me over two years ago, that we could take a family photo. Angry Husband hates photos, so we don't have any family photos. Angry Toddler is four and a half. I think it's time.

We met up with Jen Johnson, a fellow blogger, friend, and photographer. She is now the "Official Angry Julie Photographer". She's taken all my awesome profile photos for my blog. I had coordinated outfits for the photo shoot, that matched, but were no matchy-matchy. I decided against something seasonal since we might not get another family picture for a few years. Angry Toddler had mud all over his pants and shoes by the time it was all over. Jen took the photographs at this beautiful location in Orange County. It's the same place that had the Pumpkin Patch that we visited in October.

After running around like crazy people, the Angry Family headed to a birthday party. Not my party, but one of Angry Toddler's friends. His friend's mom told us that it was a "dress up party" and that Angry Toddler should wear his Halloween costume, Jango Fett. I looked all over the house for that costume Saturday morning, and I could not find it. I should have known better, because it was in the rear cargo area of my Tahoe. Angry Toddler put on/removed that costume at least five times during the party. He is a sweaty kid. I knew all that bouncing around would make him hot. The big surprise at the birthday party was a "guest appearance" by Obi-Wan and Darth Vader. Seriously the kids went crazy. These guys were truly awesome. The kids all received light sabers and battled with Darth Vader.

I hung out in the background, took 200 or 300 photographs and talked with the other moms. Yea, we all decided, we are screwed. How can we top this? I mean Obi-Wan and Darth Vader don't come to hang out every day? Angry Toddler was hilarious though. He came and whispered to me, "that is not the real Darth Vader. He is wearing a costume. Ok mama." I can only imagine what he will say when it's time for Santa this year.

After leaving the party and napping for umm, about 30 minutes, I headed to Disneyland with The BFF, Stacey. Stacey's birthday was last week, and she didn't get a chance to take advantage of her free birthday ticket. Since I'm a annual passholder, I used my birthday gift aka ticket to get her in. I was pretty excited because it was the second day of their Holiday decorations. Amazing, and we weren't disappointed at all. Our first stop was the parade, we watched in amazement. We then headed to the "big kid" rides. Angry Husband had taken Angry Toddler to my mom's house for the night. He wasn't feeling well earlier, but he decided to make a detour and head to Disneyland. He enjoyed a few rides with us, fireworks, and Fantasmic.

Stacey jumped for joy, a tiny bit in the parking structure. She had realized how nice it was, to be going to Disneyland without a stroller, and kid. We love the kids, but sometimes, we "adults" need to have some fun at Disneyland too. It was fun to run around, careless, and not worry about whining and/or jackets, and/or hunger, and/or whining.

Yes, we had to get these beautiful headbands. We were festive like that. I have serious issues with flash pictures. My eyes also close, and Stacey, well she was bright eyed. Angry Husband took the photo for us.

As for the rest of the Disney photos...you will see them throughout the next two months in my Disney Wordless Wednesdays, and other posts. I took, umm, a few hundred or so.

I think I got over my birthday blues, once the sparkly headband made it onto my head!

Thirty-Four

Today is my 34th Birthday. My mom was due on Halloween. I think Halloween would have been a much cooler day for a birthday. Can you imagine all the costume parties, I could have had? But none the less, two weeks after Halloween.

I write about this every year, but I get the Birthday Blues. Some people tell me that it's because I have a child now, but this happened BC (Before Child) too. I think my Type-A personality has something to do with it, and expectations.

So I will spend the day devoted to my usual activities...family photographs, taking my son to a birthday party, and then maybe I can head over to Disneyland with my BFF, Stacey.

Happy Birthday BFF!!!

Who is Stacey?

Who isn't she?

Sorority sister, met through alumna messes
Preggo Partner 2004-2005
Baby Mentor
Babysitter
The person who answers my fifteen phone calls a day with "WHAT NOW"?
Co-Eater/Co-Weight Watcher
Vent-er/Vent-ee
Rainbow Sandal Wearing
Starbucks Drinking
Foodie
Best Friend
Almost Birthday Twin, by One Week

and the BIRTHDAY GIRL!!!!!!!

Happy 34th BFF!!

I promise not to rub it in, that you are one week older.
Moment of silence for 2002...inside BFF joke.

P.S. Doesn't she look like an awesome mentor. Teaching Angry Toddler and Stella, the power of the iPhone.

Angry Toddler's Birthday Party

Last Tuesday was Angry Toddler's 4th Birthday. We had his party the Saturday before. We had it at The Little Gym, which my BFF, Stacey, owns. I gave Angry Toddler several options on places to have his party, he picked The Little Gym. I choose to go with a skateboard theme, because I'm all about the themes.

I choose to go with this invite. Kim from bubsiedesigns on Etsy made it for me. She is fabulous and was great working with me and my ADD.


I had Kristin from Meringue Bake Shop do cupcakes for the event. She made her Groovy ones which are tie dye and she put awesome skateboards on them (which the kids fought over).



The kids were able to have some free play in the gym, along with some directed activities from the instructors. They had a great time and really burned off some energy.

Mr. and Mrs. Angry Toddler chose to have meltdowns while everyone played.

The kids then had some light snacks of Uncrustables, fruit, and vegetables. It was a nice break from pizza. Most of the birthday parties I've been too have included pizza. Sometimes, ok most of the time, pizza is a bit overwhelming for small kids. Plus what I served seemed to be a lot cheaper too...bonus!



And after snacks, it was time for CUPCAKES!!!! Everyone raved about the fantastic cupcakes from Kristin!





It turned out to be a great party. It was nice to have it at The Little Gym. It started at an exact time and ended prompty. We were out of there in two hours.

We did have another BBQ later that night...

I'm glad that the birthday season is now over and I can relax. I get so stressed out about planning Angry Toddler's birthday parties.

Happy 4th Birthday Angry Toddler

Today is Angry Toddler's 4th Birthday. It's been quite the long road already with him. We had a rough start and I think we are finally on track. With a 36 week c-section (due to my gallbladder problems), a one week NICU stay, bronchitis, asthma, febrile seizures, and everything else along the way. He's finally 4!

Right after his birth!

Little NICU Baby!

5 Months Old!

One Year Old!

2 Years old!

3 Years Old!

4 Years Old!

Birthday Busy-Ness

Angry Toddler is turning 4 next week. We are having his birthday party on Saturday. We are then having a BBQ after the birthday party. So it's like 2 parties. We are having the BBQ for the baseball crowd. People who have kids in sports (baseball, etc.).

Then Monday, I'm going to bring treats and gift bags to Angry Toddler's school for his birthday. Yes, I'm that mom..

Tuesday, Angry Husband and I are taking Angry Toddler to Disneyland for his birthday. He gets in free, but we have Season Passes. So he will get a gift certificate to spend there on really expensive things that we don't want to spend our money on.

I have so much to do. Angry Husband keeps asking if I've made lists, ordered food, etc. I'm getting there, slowly.

First thing I had to do today was wrap the presents. I know that Angry Toddler will be around me most of the time until his party on Saturday. This was my only chance to get things wrapped.

Looking at his gifts, you would think he was turning 14 and not 4. Angry Toddler is turning into quite the gamer lately. It's Angry Husband rubbing off on him. Really, he didn't have a choice, it's genetic.

I captured this on video a few weeks ago. He was quite annoyed that I was interrupting to him. Notice the eye rubbing, he was soo tired. Yet, he kept on playing. Quite the gamer in training.



And the skateboard stuff..well he's been begging for a skateboard, ever since we attended this event. I'm going to dedicate Angry Toddler's skateboard obsession to Ed aka RockDaMullet. He truly inspired it!

November Birthday Bash

Last Wednesday, we have a birthday bash for some of my work peeps. We went to Dave and Busters, here in Orange County. It's a great place for adults. You can play video games and drink alcohol. You can't get any better than that.

Before the festivities, my friend, Monique, came over. We exchanged some presents. I was very excited, cause Monique got me lots of goodies. She got me a special edition version of the Harvey's Seatbelt Purse, (3) shirts from Ann Taylor Loft, an itunes gift certificate, and a Wahoo's food gift certificate.




After doing gifts, we headed to Dave and Buster's for some fun. We had a great group.

Here's Jen and Monique with some Evil wine. Monique's nickname is Evil Mo.


And here's the rest of the girls!

My Weekend Recap

Last Friday was my Birthday. I had a total meltdown but overcame it around 6pm that night. I then worked Food and Wine Night for the Junior League. I had a great time hanging out with new friends, networking, and it took my mind off some things.

Saturday, I took Angry Toddler out for a haircut and some donuts. I finally found someone that can cut his hair the way I like it. It's the local Barber in the city I work in. They are cheap too! Much better than those kid's haircutting places. I worked Saturday night and it was sooooooo busy.

Sunday, well, I slept, went to the gym for a quick work out, and then well, worked again.

Monday. I hung out with Angry Husband during the day. I did some Birthday shopping for a friend and we went to lunch. Then, I worked again. We solved a pretty big case last night so I am over the moon!!!

I finally went to the place where I bought my treadmill last night. I'm still having issues with it. Luckily, it's covered for parts for 10 years, but not labor. They are sending someone out tomorrow to come and see what the problem is. They said 50% of their issues were routine maintainance. I hope so. I miss my treadmill. Sometimes, I just don't feel like getting in my car and driving to 24 Hour Fitness.

Hypothetically?

Would it be bad, if let's say, one person who was home alone...

Ordered Domino's Pizza and ate half a thin crust pizza while watching Gossip Girl?

Just wondering....

I might know someone who did this today....

Hypothetically speaking of course.

Thirty-Three

Yep, it's official....

Thirty-three.

I hate when I'm an odd number. The OCD in me freaks out. For an entire year, I will be an odd number.

I have a love/hate relationship with my Birthday. If you ask my mom, she will tell you that I cry every year. It's predictable and routine. I guess I have reached that age where there are no more surprises.

My mom usually buys my gifts when we are shopping or out and about. I've tried giving her lists, they are never followed..

I like clothes, but gee, I would rather have a watch, or that Tiffany necklace that no one asked me about.

I have the day off work, but I'm volunteering with the Junior League. There will be food and alcohol....

Athena's First Birthday

Yesterday, we attended one of my BFF's daughter's birthday. Ruth's daughter, Athena was turning one. Ruth always makes her kiddos b-days a special event. I took my Nikon to the party yesterday. I rarely lug that camera around anymore, but since I knew we would be inside, I brought it. I also attached my slave flash to it, since her house is soo dark.

It's hard as a parent to organize everything, and get pictures of your event. I know, believe me, I've been there. So I knew that I could take about 200 pictures, edit them, and then just e-mail them to my friend.

Here are a few pictures, I took.

The Yummy Cake



Miss Athena Eating Some Cake



Angry Toddler Disguised as a Tiger