Friday, October 23, 2015

Birthday Dinosaurs

As has become a Booker tradition, we went to Dinosaur World today as part of Harper's birthday weekend. 

First, she hatched.

Look out behind you!

Excavating.

Hide and Seek.

After solving the giant puzzle there was a pretty serious tickle fight. 

 It's just a shame that in the end they were both picked off by roving Tyrannosaurs. 


After the all the fun Harper took her birthday money from her grandparents and bought two toys for her and two matching toys for Will. "... Because I have empathy," she explained. 

I have the best kids.



Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Birthday Girl


Tonight I said goodnight to my four-year-old for the last time and tomorrow I will embrace my big five-year-old birthday girl! After months of anticipation, Harper's big day is here!   

I slipped a new Halloween-inspired, birthday outfit into her closet as a surprise for the morning. Then we'll find something fun to do and meet Brad for lunch in town (chocolate chip pancakes, which she decided on two months ago). Later it will be off to dress-rehearsal for her fall dance recital (tap dancing mermaids... obviously). We'll do gifts and birthday regalia at dinner.


I can't believe my baby is five all ready. How did that happen? It seems like just a couple of months ago that I was holding her for the first time. 

Happy, happy birthday, my sweet Harper. We love every minute we get to spend with your curious, creative, joyous little self.   










Monday, October 19, 2015

Too Soon...


This past July our sweet Maisy was diagnosed with what was assumed to be an aggressive and untreatable brain tumor. Although we knew her time left with us would likely be short she had been in remarkably good health and spirits. That is, until now. 

Then, about a week ago, she started to lose weight pretty drastically while simultaneously developing uncharacteristic anxiety. Her symptoms have gotten exponentially worse with each passing day. After staying up nearly all night with her shaking, pacing and panting, we decided (with the help of out veterinarian) to put her on a sedative and an SSRI to see if we can curb the symptoms of the tumor.  

I am emotionally and physically exhausted this morning. I was crying when Harper awoke, so I had to explain to Harper that Maisy is dying and we don't know how much longer she'll be with us. She drew me a picture of Maisy so I "won't be so sad when she's gone." What a great kid.



And what a great dog.

Monday, October 12, 2015

You Are Invited To A Science Hootenanny


Well, it's that time of year again. Get your party shoes on because, in just a couple of weeks Ms. Harper A. Booker will be FIVE years old! Holy bananas, where has the time gone?!?!?! I can't even start with the my baby is growing up because I'll just begin weeping and never stop.


Harper is set on a Science Hootenanny birthday party this year. There will be cake. There will be science. There will be a hootenanny or, as Harper says, "... a big dance party where people come from far and near." And this year is TWICE as festive because our dear friend Mimi, who has almost an identical birthday, will be celebrating with us. And speaking of people coming from near and far...

This year we've bucked tradition and will be holding the party at our farm in Dover, so as to accommodate all the expected sciencing and hootenannying. The specifics follow:





WHAT: Harper and Mimi's
Science Hootenanny Birthday Extravaganza

DATE: Sunday, October 25, 2015

TIME: 1:00 PM

WHERE: The Event Room at the
Florida Strawberry Growers Association

ADDRESS: 13138 Lewis Gallagher Road
Dover, FL 33527

BRING: A small potluck item. Sunscreen. A kite if you want to fly a kite. 

DO NOT BRING: A birthday gift. Seriously. Don't bring one. No one will. You won't be the only person not bringing a gift. I promise. If you have been so pressured into feeling like you MUST bring something or you are teaching your kids about giving then a handmade card would be lovely and enthusiastically appreciated. But nothing else. Got it? Thank you anyway.


OTHER: We typically have a loosey-goosey attitude regarding attendance to these kinds of things but, since this time we want to have actual planned activities for the kids, we'll need to do some actual planning in advance. As such, if you will have kids in attendance, please RSVP with a head count no later than Sunday, October 18th. 

SEE YOU THERE!


Sunday, October 11, 2015

Pirate Invasion

Today our dear friends, Austen and Asher, celebrated their 5th birthday. As you can see, the festivities were overrun by pirate-related shenanigans. 

The handsome birthday boys!

Let's get this party started!

You don't say?

Austen's brows kill me!

Asher was very enthusiastic about the water activity.

My goofy girl.

Of course, there were martial arts...

... and introspection...

... followed by more martial arts.

There was also quite a bit of hydrodynamics data collection.

Verifying the results can be replicated.

Charming Asher!

And, what party isn't complete without mustaches?

Los hermanos bigotudos.

And, there were party horn festivities.


Pirate booty! 

Happy birthday to you!...



Everyone helped blow out the candles.

My kids were allover the cake.

They really made quite a spectacle of themselves.

Happy birthday, boys!
Thank you so much for letting us be a part of your special day!