Six months ago, I began planning Dexter's birthday party. He was very interested in trains at the time and I thought a trip to the railway museum would be perfect, but it turned out that trains were a fleeting interest and not a lasting obsession. Next, he began to ask to ride "blue horses" and, as weird as the request was, we thought a carousel party would fit, but, when we went to scope out the carousel, he took one look at the horses spinning around and around and shook his head. "Too high," he declared. "Too scary!" So, we considered a garden party, a carnival themed party, a party at the children's museum, the splash pad, the creek, and a horse farm ...but nothing felt quite right. Dexter loves strange things, none of which translate easily into a party theme. He loves fruit snacks and he loves spraying things with the hose. He loves to stack things into towers and then knock the towers down. He loves to color himself with magic markers. He loves to watch about three minutes of every episode of Little Einsteins available on Netflix. Most of all, he loves to "help you." Laundry, dishes, vacuuming, dusting, changing light bulbs, moving furniture, watering plants, carrying things to the car, pouring milk, cooking dinner-- no one can attempt to complete any task without soon hearing Dexter's feet stomping to catch up. "I help you?" he calls, enthusiastically. He is genuinely thrilled to work, dedicated to his tasks and proud of his accomplishments. "What we need for Dexter is a job party," I said to Ryan one day. And then, we had an idea. Blackberry and blueberry season is upon us and Crabtree Farms generously allowed us to have Dexter's "U-Pick" birthday party in their picnic area. A sweet "job" for our little helper. It was perfect. The morning was humid but overcast. We explored the farm and had some snacks. Dexter was thrilled with his birthday sign on a chalkboard we borrowed from Miss Amanda, and his birthday crown made by Miss Myrissa, and the birthday balloons picked up by his Papa. Most of all, he was absolutely thrilled with all his friends and family coming to see and celebrate with him. I loved that he felt so special. We ordered donuts from our favorite local donut shop. Dexter chose a pink one because "it's so beautiful" and, as everyone sang the birthday song to him, my sweet boy's face shone with absolute delight. As we headed out to pick berries, it began to rain. It felt great! The blackberries were a little bit sad but the blueberries were abundant. Dexter was quite serious about his job and he enthusiastically filled his pail with every green blueberry and red blackberry he could find. It was a very sweet day for our soon to be three year old. We are so appreciative to everyone that helped us make it happen and to all our lovely friends and family who got up early to help us celebrate our Dexter Keats. Thank you.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
WHO AM I?
I am Michelle: a wannabe hippie in love with a bonafide geek. We also spawned. I spend my days with our four wild, beautiful boy children and I overshare about our life online because I am a Millennial and that is what we do.
|