A Whirlwind Birthday Weekend

So I guess this is where I need to step in
On Tuesday or Wednesday of last week I had gotten a head's up on a birthday party that Amelia was going to be invited to on Sunday morning for her friend Nora Rose. Since Naomi knew that I was going to be on my own that day she had discussed a carpool with Raquel, another mom who had a little boy (Noah) the same age as Amelia. This family also has a boy-Issac- that is Jojo's age so a play date for the older kids as also arranged. When talking with Raquel on Thursday morning regarding the plan for Sunday she asked about what we were going to do about the party on Saturday and with a confused look on my face I replied, "What party?" Raquel then explained that there was a party for a girl in Jojo's class on Saturday afternoon and we were probably left off the list only because the parents were operating off of an old email list and they would want to know that there was someone left out. She was worried that Jojo would feel left out if everyone was talking about it at school afterward although I kind of thought that Jojo might not really understand anyways but knew that Jojo would enjoy going to the party. Raquel graciously offered to do another carpool and take both Issac and Jojo to the party in their car--especially convenient for me as the party would start during Amelia's nap time!
Since each girl had a party and no present shopping had been done our Saturday morning activity ended up being present shopping! There was a toy store (The Grasshopper) that I had seen before near the Grand Place and that had been recommended by another mom (of one of Jojo's classmates) and I thought it would be a good outing and activity rolled into one. Luckily Dan didn't need to leave to catch his train until a bit later that morning so there was another adult to help not only on the bus there but also in the store telling the girls not to touch absolutely everything that they saw! We didn't get to the store as efficiently as I had hoped as the street surrounding the Grand Place are like some sort of Bermuda Triangle for me sometimes in terms of navigation but with only a couple of more minor casualties (a chunk of cheese and a wet pair of tights-jumping in a big puddles without boots not a good idea!) we finally arrived at the store.
The store was much bigger than I had expected but it turned out to be a good thing as it then had an area with some toys that kids could actually play with giving me more time to find age appropriate gifts. Luckily before we had departed for the toy store I had called the mom who was helping carpool and clarified about what kind of party it was...I had initially thought that it was joint part between a girl in Jojo's class and her sister and so I wasn't sure if I need to get the sister a gift or not. It turns out it was a joint party for TWO girls in Jojo's class so another gift to purchase was added to the tally! I finally picked out some nice puzzles that the distracted girls approved, were purchased and wrapped. We then we slowly extracted ourselves from the store (as Dan had departed for his train before I had gift decisions had been finalized).
Before we had left the store the girls had found some loose "jingle" bells which inspired Jojo so I was treated to a rousing chorus of "Jingle Bells" all the way to the bus stop. It was fairly loud but cute and it kept them amused on the walk so I didn't rein in their enthusiasm--luckily most of the looks we got were of amusement rather than annoyance! Once at the apartment it was a quick lunch and a nap for Amelia and then Jojo and I hastily made some birthday cards for the gifts (although they were the same for each girl) in time for her to hop into the car with Raquel and Issac.
Amelia was finishing a snack after a short nap when Omi (aka Joan aka Naomi's Mom) and Grandpa (aka Mark aka Naomi's Dad) called and we were able to do a brief Skype call and arranged for another call when Jojo would be back. Jojo returned with a gift bag of candy and a ceramic Disney princess teapot (the top of which was quickly broken-accidentally though). After a somewhat wacky dinner we did another Skype call with Omi and Grandpa and after we finished a bit of dessert Grandma and Grandpa (Dan's parents) called to chat as well! It felt a bit like Grand Central Station but both of the girls had a bit of a chat with them and after a bit of clarifying and more information from me we wrapped up the call and it was off to bed with the exhausted girls!
The wake-up call came a bit earlier Sunday morning as we lost an hour with daylight savings--yes several weeks later than when it is done in the U.S. It was thus a whirlwind of dressing and breakfast and out the door so that we could arrive at our carpools' house by 9:30 as the party was to begin at 10am! Raquel, Don and the boys were having similar adjustment pains when we arrived (they too missed the extra hour to get ready) but everyone was soon ready to go and Amelia and Noah were strapped into the car and off to their party! The older kids were happily playing with various toys, dress up clothes, and Don (Issac and Noah's Dad) but we eventually motivated ourselves enough to go to a nearby park. The weather had finally improved enough for outdoor play and although it was still cooler the sun was out and I think we were all ready to absorb some sunlight! The park as a hidden courtyard type of situation but luckily it was public rather than just for those who had a surrounding apartment. While it was definitely on the smallish side, it had a few climbing things and Issac and Jojo's imagination did the rest of the work and they amused each other for awhile by pretending to be a monkey and a lion respectively. Don had also brought a soccer ball as well as a baseball and bat. With Don's wonderful pitching aim, both Issac and Jojo had some great hits before we left the park. A bit of amusement also appeared for the adults...a resident of a nearby building/apartment was moving a couch into their place and it seems as thought it didn't fit in through the front door! Instead they had carried it over a wall into the backyard and then they tied ropes around it in order to heft it up to the 3rd floor! Luckily there were 4 of them, 3 above pulling and they thought ahead and had one below holding the couch stable to make sure it didn't swing into one of the windows on the way up. After about 15 minutes of hefting and one final big pull to get it over the rail their mission was accomplished and the other couple (and their kids) that occupied the park clapped for them!
After playing, we headed back to Issac's house and had a bit of lunch and Noah, Amelia, and Raquel arrived back soon after we did. After dinning and eating some dessert (more candy bags from the party were involved) we walked home. Amelia took a longer and late nap (although with the time change it probably felt about the regular time to her) and Jojo got to watch a bit of the new Curious George video she borrowed from Issac. It inspired her to make musical instruments from recycling and since we have plenty to choose from I thought it would make a good project. We ended up with about 6 shaker type instruments which Naomi and Dan were promptly shown the next morning- much to their surprise (an alarm may have been a better wake up call but probably not as motivating)!
After a bath, a quick phone call from Naomi and Dan, and an attempt to watch a couple of Pixar shorts the girls were off to bed. Despite it being earlier, Jojo nodded off without a problem while Amelia with her longer and later nap, had a bit of a harder time falling asleep but all was finally quite by the time Naomi and Dan arrive back from their journey! Although I didn't personally attend any of the parties, a good time was seemed to have by all and it definitely made it a bit of a hectic weekend but in a good way!
The weekend didn't truly end there though as yesterday (Monday) was a no school day (some sort of teacher in-service day) and a play date was arranged with Jojo's friend Ellen, her little sister Tiggy and their Mom Sarah. It was a whirlwind tour around the playground and shifting moods and a cooler temperature (despite sunny skies) had us a leaving the park after a bit for a bit of hot chocolate before we headed home--yum! The afternoon ended up being more of a true stay home day as Jojo woke up with a bit of a fever after her nap (as she has been fighting a cold) and while Amelia didn't wake up with a fever her mood was not ideal for an outing either!
Jojo and I are home again this morning (Tuesday) and she seems to be well on the mend! Rather than just sitting on the couch and watching me color (which is what she was all she was up for yesterday afternoon) she was finishing art projects left and right this morning and coloring new ones--hopefully pictures of all the creations coming soon as it is on my to-do-list! Here are the pictures I did take this weekend-enjoy!