My ex-preschooler

[kyburg]

With the departure of Rey yesterday, the birthday whirlwind that seems to crop up every year around kid's birthday officially ended and we returned to normal time, such as it is.

I'm beginning to think this will probably be a regular occurrence, since this is the third birthday we've had with Xander, and the third time the exact same course of events have transpired. And every time, it gets a little easier. *whew*

This year, with all the new school stresses? Scaled waaaay back. Like, go set up outside the Columbia Memorial Space Center near where Jim works with a card table, cupcakes and a cooler with drinks in it. Presents? Why, thank you - here, leave that there, go sign in with the front desk and have fun inside the Museum. TOUCH EVERYTHING.

And so, they did. I was surprised that so many of the kids from new school showed up - bonus - but sad that none of the kids from preschool made it. Not one. And he's missing them so. *grump* Will have to keep trying to make those playdate connections.

But under the circumstances, did not insist on my family showing up. Sis and her crew? Sure - that's easy. But moving my Mom from Hemet in for a party that had no places to sit? Not so much. I'm not sure my younger brother is very understanding of this, but it just didn't hit the radar to consider inviting her to such a thing.

I'm going out there in two weeks to make amends, you understand.

The after-party dinner was at the Shin Sen Gumi Yakitori restaurant near the house and I think we were 15 people and had the best time ever.

I also had at least six games of Pokemon working, doing last minute trades. Not with kid - me. *snicker*

The night of the actual birthday, we went to Benihana per kid's request - and did dinner. He loved it. Me, I think I'll turn the leftover chicken into chicken salad sandwiches.

We're still opening toys. Haven't read any of the new books yet.

Kid...is a little somber around the edges. We're expecting more of him, and there has been a ton of attention on him this week, which might not always be welcome. (My kid, a tad introverted? It's possible.)

But not a preschooler anymore, by definition - and that kind of cocks my head. Not a toddler, not a preschooler. I have a kid kid now. We're both adjusting.



(I did say outside, right? Man - I *was* pleasantly pink that night, wasn't I?)

Comments

[ginamariewade.livejournal.com]

Look at those rosy cheeks! (On both of you!)

[turandot.livejournal.com]

Wow. He IS a big kid now! Seems like he was so little, just a little while ago

But I guess that's the nature of kids. The other day my husband told me that he looked at a recent picture of our little one, and he was like "yeah, you can see the baby still there, but you can also definitely see the toddler". I took a look and he was right. My little baby is little no more.

You get to do more stuff with them, and that's fun, but sometimes you feel like just saying "Whoa, slow down with that growing! I'm not ready for all the new things that I can't really protect you from!". Bittersweet, isn't it?

(As for omitting grandma from the festivities, here's a nice save: "Mom, there were gonna be tons of things and people there. You would have been lucky to see the kid flash by for 3 seconds on his way to new mischief. I wanted to make sure that when you see him, he actually spends time with you.")

[monkeyfruit.livejournal.com]

asdkjagldsg so adorable! <3

[drlaurac.livejournal.com]

Happy little dude. I do hope that someday our little guys can meet up.
In terms of trying to make playdate connections, here's my grand plan: We're going to Dragon-Con, and they have a deal where you can buy an adult membership for a child and that will qualify them to go to day care on site. I don't plan to leave Alex there, but I do plan to stop by with him several times each day for 30 minutes or so to see if we can meet potential playmates with fellow-geek parents. The rest of the time we'll be checking out the costumes and attending the robot battles.

[lokabrenna.livejournal.com]

Cute as a button on a kitten in a shoe.

If all goes well, by the way, I should have the monkeys ready for you some time next week.

(things you don't read every day, fig. 1)