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She’s so excited about her birthday party that she’s practically bursting at the seams. It's not anything fancy, but she couldn't be happier. In attendance today is Cami, Alex, Devon and Gabby, Mom, Mick, and just a handful of kids from Ireland's school. Jonathan is on his way and then we can, to quote Pink, “Get this party started!”
I offered to have the party this weekend, but she refused. Her birthday is the 1st of December, and I don't like to decorate for Christmas until after her birthday. I don’t want her to be one of those kids that gets her birthday over-looked or all her presents wrapped in holiday paper. It's important to me that her birthday is special, and it's important to her that she doesn't miss any days of Elf On a Shelf. So a party on a late Tuesday afternoon is what she’s getting.
The house is decorated with balloons and streamers and there are little gift bags and snacks for the kids. Luckily, I have Alex to take pictures. I’m glad she’s here to capture all of the little moments of the day. Not only is she an amazing photographer, but it’s one less thing for me to worry about.
The front door opens, and I see Jonathan bend down to pick something large and purple up with both hands, then he uses his work boot-clad foot to push the door closed.
"Jonafon!" Ireland yells and leaves her friends to run to him at full speed and hug his leg.
"Hey, Princess. Happy Birthday!"
"Thanks, Jonafon. I'm finally five!"
"No way, really? I thought you were turning thirteen?"
"Don't be silly, Jonafon. You know I'm five," she says with a giggle and runs back to her friends.
"What in the world is that? It's huge!" I ask my hot as hell, even at a five-year-old’s birthday party, boyfriend.
"That’s what she said!" Mick yells out from behind me.
I can’t help but burst out laughing at the idiot I call my brother, but I quickly put on my mom face.
"Mick, there are little kids here. Watch it."
"What? They don't know what that means. Besides, you thought it was funny so don't even try to pretend to be mad. I see that smile you’re trying to hide."
I stick my tongue out at him. “You don’t have a filter do you?”
“Nope.”
“I still love you. Even if you are an idiot.”
Mick walks over to me and puts his big burly arm around my neck and gives me a little noogie on the top of my head and says, "Shut it, woman!"
He loosens his grip around my neck and pulls me into a side hug and says, "You did good sis. She's a pretty cool kid."
"Ah, thanks. She gets it from your pretty cool little sister," I say as I give him a little punch to the shoulder. "Seriously, though. Thanks for letting me throw the party here and thanks for everything else. You’ve been so great."
"No problem, Emmers, I'm happy to have you guys here, and you know I love a party. So let's get this one going!"
He shouts that last part to the room and all the kids yell and get up and run over to him, all jumping up and down like wild animals. My big burly brother can’t help but join in the fun as he jumps up and down right along with them.
I can’t help but notice that as soon his jumping ends his gaze goes right back to Alex. I noticed them whispering in the kitchen earlier and his eyes seem to follow her around the room. I’ve always wondered if there’s something between the two of them, but now I think there just might be. I’ve known Alex most of my life and she is stunning, so I understand why he would be interested. Let’s face it. Mickey Jacobs and Alexandra Stotts would be a pretty hot couple, but I’m sure she’s too smart to go there. At least I hope so.
Enough worrying about my brother’s love life though, I have a party to start!
We play a few games and I make sure that somehow each of the four kids wins a prize. I debated whether it was right for the birthday girl to win a prize when she’s already getting presents, but in the end, I couldn't say no to that face. I am such a pushover sometimes.
She’s now opening her presents and has been equally excited over each and every gift, no matter how big or how small.
My mom got her a butterfly—she loves her butterflies like I love my dragonflies—Little Live Pets Garden Play-set. I have no idea what that is, but I’m sure I’ll figure it out. Mick went way overboard. He got her an iPad and I think her head nearly exploded when she opened it. I can only assume he’d like his iPad back as well as more time with the family room TV. Cami and Alex got her clothes of course and I got her a bunch of art supplies, while Devon and Gabby gave her a huge stack of books.
There is only one gift left, and it's the big one that Jonathan brought in. He pushes it towards her, and she looks at me as if asking permission before she rips into it. My little girl is not bashful about opening gifts, and there is nothing dainty about watching her rip open a present. What there is though is the joy that I feel as I watch my little girl’s face light up when she opens her gift from the man who I wish was her father. How the two of us have gotten so lucky, I will never know, but the love and happiness he brings to both of us is something I will never take for granted.
"Dude, did you make that?" I hear Mick ask from behind me.
"Yep. What do you think, Princess?"
