Birthdays and Flowers

 It was a big week at the Dansie house because our Daisy turned the big 1-0!  As I reflect over the past 10 years with this amazing girl, I think I have grown as much as she has.  I was scared to death to become a mother.  While I am still learning as I go and making a lot of mistakes along the way, it is a much more rewarding experience than I anticipated. 

 The celebration began with a Birthday Breakfast of biscuits and gravy and scrambled eggs (there is a reason we call her Southern Comfort) and opening a few gifts before she was off to school.

 After school, Grandma came over with birthday wishes and presents.  Daisy was thrilled with her new Go Walk Sketchers and put them right on.

 That night we packed up the circus and took the party to dad out at the hospital.  We had Sherbet floats (thanks to Marge)

 ...and opened more presents.

 Each birthday the kids get to choose between a family activity or a birthday party.  They almost always choose a family activity.  This year Daisy chose dinner and a movie and brought along her adorable friend Katie.  We were hoping to hit the Mayan but what do you know...it closed years ago.  So Texas Roadhouse had to do.

 Jeff and I realized that the steakhouse is probably not the best place to take the circus.  As the boys were fighting over their silverware, which included an 8 inch steak knife, in front of the waitress and Titus refused to stay in his high chair and threw food all over the floor, we remembered why we NEVER do this.

 Daisy was a good sport and climbed on the Happy Birthday saddle.  She is much more comfortable on top of her horse.

 The family joined us for The Lego Movie afterward, which was slightly disappointing.  Or maybe it was just wrestling with Titus that tainted the experience for me.  Several family members took an expensive nap, but the kids liked it.

 We made a stop at PetSmart to get new dirt for Levi's tortoise and, lucky us! It was Pet Adoption Day.  Katie and Daisy made immediate plans to adopt a pet together.

The birthday celebration concluded tonight with family dinner and Aunt Kandi's most requested chocolate lava cake.

 The other big event this week was, of course, Valentine's Day.  Levi came home from school the day before Valentine's and asked, "Mom, can we go to the store and buy flowers for my teacher for Valentine's?"
"I don't know buddy, " I replied, "I already got her some yummy lotion and flowers are kind of expensive."
"Mom, I will use my own money.  Girls really like flowers for Valentine's and she is the best teacher ever" Levi argued.
So off to the flower shop we went, Levi toting his wallet.  He looked at every bouquet they had and finally found the perfect choice.  He said it had the right bow, the right vase, and the right flower because it had two colors.  The shop owner was waiting for us at the counter, and as we headed up to the counter to pay we passed the earring display.
"Mom, can we pleeeease get her some earrings too?  That would make her day!"
"Sorry bud, but that would cost too much money.  We will just have to get flowers today."
"Aw, man.  I wish we could get earrings too" he lamented.
The arrangement he chose was $10 so I gave him a $5 dollar bill and told him that he would need to use his $5 plus his change to cover tax.  He put all of his money on the counter.  When I saw that he didn't have enough, I told him that he would need a little more change.
"But I don't have any more," he whispered.
"You have just enough," the shop owner interrupted. "This is just right."  I mouthed "thank you" as she said, "and just for shopping with us today, you get a free gift."  She walked out from behind the counter and brought back a pair of white pearl earrings.  You should have seen the look on Levi's face.  She set him up with a little card and envelope to put in the flower pick and sent us on our way.  Levi was walking on clouds.
"Mom," he kept saying, "my teacher is going to love this so much!  This is the most beautiful rose ever!  I bet she will want to wear these earrings every day because they will match everything.  This will probably be her best Valentine's day ever."  I was just smiling inside, and thinking again how much I love living in this town. (thanks Brenda!)
He came right home and got to work on his card.  He wrote "Will you be my Valentine?" in his best handwriting, sealed the envelope, and was all set.  I smiled, shook my head, and wondered what we've got to look forward to with this ladies man.

 Later that night Grandpa and Grandma came by with an early Valentine for everyone.  Grandma tried to knock and run, but got caught.  Levi told her she was too slow, but she was still pretty fast for a grandma.

The next day a big Valentine's package arrived in the mail from Grandpa and Grandma Jones.  We were so excited we ripped it open right in the car.  There were books and candy and even Shrinky Dinks for everyone!

Jeff and I had big plans to go on a romantic date that night, but no babysitter could be found, so the boys joined us for dinner while the older kids went bowling with friends.  Who needs a romantic date anyway?  I prefer to take my toddler out to eat on Valentine's day when other couples are trying to enjoy a childless meal so I can put my patience and perfect parenting skills...or lack thereof...on public display.  Awesome.

 Speaking of this terrible toddler, he has found a new love for his rocking horse.  He can't climb on it by himself yet, though, so he stands by it and yells until I come help him onto it.  Then he rocks and rocks till his little heart is content, for 27 seconds, at which point he climbs off and then stands next to it and yells until I come put him back on.

 And in the moments when daddy is home we all make sure to let him know how much we love him.  The people in this picture comprise my whole world, and my whole heart. 

Today our whole family went to all of church for the first time since the first week of December.  It was such a good feeling. It was Isaac's first time in Primary as a non-Sunbeam, and he did great.  Titus, however, is not quite acclimatized for the full skip-a-nap three-hour-block.  He was simply exhausted by the time we got home.  So was I.