I’ve been so busy this week. I don’t think I’ve ever really gone this many days without blogging. So, yeah. Squid’s birthday party is tomorrow and this week has been all about preparing for that. Last weekend’s party was awesome. You know, the 80’s bash we had last Saturday. Just one thing, a little note to self, if you will: never schedule two parties in two consecutive weekends. I’m just barely cleaning up from last week and now, tomorrow, we’ve got the HUGE 0-2 celebration! It’s fun, but it’s a little too much work to have 2 parties so close together.

So, the theme tomorrow is Elmo (of course). I can’t wait to see Squid’s face. We got him Elmo EVERYTHING! Elmo banners, Elmo balloons, Elmo plates, Elmo cake…

Everything except…well, Elmo. Shit, I knew I forgot something! I was going to buy him Tickle Me Elmo, if they even still sell those. Do they?

Wow, Sunday is Easter already. I haven’t really thought of what I’ll do for the kids, though I did see an Elmo Easter basket at Target. Honestly, I just don’t feel like spending money on a bunch of crap that’s just gonna go right in the shed after Sunday. I think an egg hunt will suffice, don’t you? Ideas?

I was a little thrown off when I called home today to check in and heard that everything was totally fine and the family was having a blast! But, how could they? Without me? Then I remembered that, oh yeah, I want them to be fine when I’m gone. I want them to have fun! But, you know, it’s also always kind of nice to hear that you’re missed and needed. :)

Fun or no fun, when I got home Squid ran up to me and said, “Oh, Mommy!”

Seems I was missed, after all.

So, I spent today working on Squid’s birthday present with my dad.

It was really fun. We sanded this old, varnished rocking horse I found at a garage sale. It really did look pretty tacky. But we got all the stain off and painted it with milk paint. It looks awesome. I’m so excited to give it to my boy! I’ll post pictures soon.

Yesterday Squid and I took advantage of the nice weather and went for a 2 1/2 hour stroll through Golden Gate Park. The park is closed to auto traffic on Sundays, so you’re free to walk right in the middle of the street. I pushed him backwards in his stroller and spun him around. He walked alongside me, holding my hand, running all over and laughing. It was so great. Then we went to the Conservatory of Flowers and slowly walked through, examining all the amazing blossoms. The rollerbladers were out and groovin’ to 70’s Disco. We stopped on a grassy hill and watched them for a while. Squid got his very own ice-cream that dropped on the sidewalk. “Oh no!” he said. But he was too busy watching the skaters and showing off his own funky moves to really care much. It was the best day.

I mentioned before that my mom is coming to see us today. It’s gonna be a while before she gets here, but I’ve already got the kids all excited. Big mistake. Now I get to hear, “When’s Noni coming?” for the next 2 hours. (Exhale)

Jason has a long meeting tonight, so I’m doing the whole single parent thing tonight. My stepson is here and already wondering when dinner is. Ha, I love the days when I have to be a real mom! For Squid, I just heat up whatever is left over in the fridge and doesn’t smell like death. My stepson is slightly more picky. So tonight, it’s marinated steak, scalloped potatoes, corn and apple sauce. Mmmmm… Motherhood’s rad.

Spring in S.F. is perfect. The calla lilies start to shoot up and the weather is beautiful. Today it was sunny at 7 a.m.

Squid cried out at around 5:30 (way too early), so I grabbed him and brought him into bed with us. He went right back to sleep, pushing me all the way to the edge of the bed. I might as well have gotten up; I didn’t get much sleep after that.

Then, at 7, when the sun came barreling through the window, Squid was up, demanding, “Kai-goo!”

I know I’m going to be tired today, but it was totally worth it, having Squid rest his head on my shoulder and snuggle right up to me. Plus, it’s a gorgeous day and we’ve got our date to look forward to. ;)