Shauny's Birthday

Shaun wasn't as lucky as he was on Father's Day. He didn't get breakfast in bed. I figured that one breakfast in bed in one week was good enough. He went to work as usual that day. I headed down to Warwick to meet up with my friend and her son Michael (Landon's friend that I mentioned in an earlier post). She was going to be down there to go to Trader Joe's (our favorite whole foods market!). Unfortunately, they don't have one closer to our neck of the woods so we have to make the half hour trek south to stock up once in a while. Anyway, she suggested that we meet up and go to a park near Trader Joe's. I beat her there and saw that the park was closed due to a fox invasion! So, I gave her a call and we decided to go to Chuck E. Cheese to at least let the kids go somewhere fun. We were there for a couple hours. Caden played a ton of the game where you shoot the basketball. He is obsessed with basketball for some reason. He is drawn to basketball hoops too. I don't know what it is, but its funny. Landon also got stuck in the tubes, well kinda! Hahaha! He got up to the top and couldn't come back down. He was scared of going into the tubes and going down the slide. I was a mean mom and told him that he couldn't go on any rides or play any games until he either went into one of the tunnels or went down the slide. Basically he spent most of his time up there crying. He's a little chicken sometimes. I thought it was funny though...I'm mean, I know. Then some little girl went and helped him down at some point. So, I told him that he couldn't do anything until he decided to at least try going in a tube or go down the slide. He refused, so he just sat in the booth. When I had only one coin left, I told him again what the deal was. He finally agreed to try again. This time around he was successful. Although he didn't go down the slide (which looked fun, by the way), he still played in the tunnels. I just don't want him to grow up being too afraid to try things and give up so easily. I don't want him to miss out on anything... It reminded me of the time that I took the boys to the indoor playground at McDonald's one afternoon. There was a big net thing with platforms the kids could climb on. At the top there was a slide that was much bigger than the little baby slide that he and Caden were playing on. He went up a couple times but wouldn't go down the slide. Finally, we were getting ready to leave. I asked him if he would like to try again. He said no. I then told him that it looked like so much fun and that I thought he would enjoy it. So, he decided to give it one more try. He got to the top and Caden and I looked on from below. After a little while he disappeared. I stood there wondering if he was just too far back for me to see him. Then I heard a loud, "WHOAA!" And then I saw two little feet come out the bottom of the slide. He jumped out looking triumphent and proclaimed, "I DID IT!" I laughed so hard. It was one of the cutest things and one of my favorite memories. I do have to add that Caden went down a slide for the first time at that McDonald's. That was really cute too. Caden is just the opposite of Landon. He is fearless. After a couple of tries going down the slide by himself, he was sliding down on his belly and backwards...crazy kid.

After our mini adventure at Chuck E. Cheese, we went to mom and dad's house so that the kids could eat lunch and I could drop off stuff for Shaun's birthday. I also set up his birthday present in the garage (where its been for a month or so). I got him a new lawn mower. Since it was such a big purchase, I knew that I couldn't get away with using the money in our joint account and have him not notice it. So, I had to use the money from my private account. I have been so excited about this gift since I decided to get it for him. The lawn mower that we had was old, and it didn't bag the grass. The new one I got him mulches, bags, its bigger, and it self cleans. Not to mention that its self propelled! I had to drag the box out from behind my mom's other car (the one that she never drives...I don't know why. If I had a luxury vehicle, I'd drive it ALL the time...even across the street to our mailbox to get the mail!) I read the directions and put that sucker together all by myself! I slapped a bow on it and positioned it amongst my dad's garage rubble...they are remodeling so half the garage is taken over by tools, molding, paint, etc. After that, we went home and made his birthday cake. I made a chocolate heath bar cake (from scratch...what? Did you just confuse me with Martha Stewart? I know, I'm awesome. Hehehe!). It was YUMMY! Although, the whipped cream decoration I put on top started to melt.

My mom picked us up after work. Shaun left straight from work to go to mom and dad's house. Dad wasn't there since he was in Mexico for the week on business. But he called to wish Shaun a happy bday. Shaun opened his presents. Mom and dad got him a Lowe's gift card and a novel in Spanish that Shaun has wanted for awhile. Then we got ready to leave. I made believe that all I got him was a card and the boys got him a few cans of Sour Cream and Onion Pringles. I told him that I wanted a water out of the garage. So, he went into the garage and got me a water. I followed him hoping to hear a reaction of some sort. Nothing. He just came back in with the water. Gosh...what a dork. He had totally missed it. I gave him a look with my camera in hand. He said, "Was there something that I was supposed to see?" Duh. He went back out and saw his present. He was thrilled.

After that, we went to dinner at Texas Roadhouse. We ordered way too much food. But it was so good. Plus leftovers for the next day is wonderful since that means that I don't need to cook! Then we went home and had cake. It was a fun day! Hopefully, Shaun felt the same! Hahaha!