Monday, January 24, 2011

New Week + No Birthdays = Mom is Happy

I love birthdays, really, I do.

But after a week long celebration full of parties, cakes, house guests, presents and sugar rushes/party highs, I am ready to return to normal mode. Not that I want to wish this special annual tradition away; I actually love it, but you can only be in hyper-birthday mode for so long.

SPH and I have a special tradition at the end of Birthday Week each year, one that is sort of wink and a smile type of tradition. At the culmination of the week, we open a bottle of champagne and toast to another year of being parents.

We toast to all the moments of "just barely surviving" as well as "really thriving" parenthood memories. The past year was an up and down year, full of vacations, and yet surgeries; new homes, and (ehh, the memory) flooding our old home the eve before our move; and lots and lots of every day memories.

A family member has the following quote in her home, and I think it sums up good way to reflect on the last year:

"Enjoy the little things in life...for one day you'll look back
and realize they were the big things."




I've decided to forgo the grocery store this week. After a weekend trip to get some last-minute provisions and basic essentials for our family birthday celebration last night, I am going to try and rely on our pantry and freezer and get a bit creative for our meals:

Baked Cheese Tortellini and Green Beans, Pineapple
Lentil and Ham Soup, Grilled Cheese
Rice Noodle Salad with Asian Vegetables and Tofu
Tacos (will improvise based on what we have in the freezer--I have the cheese, tortillas, tomato)
Asian Salmon Burgers, Sauteed Broccoli

Here's hoping you can find the joy in the little things this week,
SPC

1 comment:

JerseyBaby said...

Happy Birthday Week! I just love your champagne tradition. Congratulations for not just surviving, but thriving!