Triple Threat

Triple Threat.  That’s what I’ve come to term the final week of October.  However, I don’t use the phrase “triple threat” in the traditional sense.  You see, the end of October does bring us three big events–Chanelle’s birthday, Charlie’s birthday, and Trick-or-Treat.  Fun and exciting days, right?  Yes, unless, that is, you are built like the author of this blog who tends to believe in the ideal and pushes for perfection. 

Unfortunately, I find that these three events occurring in a row puts me at the risk of an anxiety attack three different times in one week.

I’m not sure why I do this. Why I try to make everything perfect.  I think it has something to do with my childhood memories.  When I look back at my birthday celebrations as a child I remember all my Mom did to make the day special.  From waking up to balloons hanging by my cereal bowl which was placed on a special birthday place mat to the final blowing out the candles of the special cake at the end of the day.  My mom knew how to make us feel special on our birthday’s. 

Oh, and trick or treat?  That was a big deal, too.  I remember homemade costumes, the big to-do made about the march around the neighborhood to fill our sacks and coming home and carefully sorting through each piece of our loot.   In my minds eye everything about these childhood events ran smoothly and was perfect. . . (although my rational side know this probably was not the case.) 

In any event, I try so hard to make these days (contained in one week) as special as I can for our kids. 

Unfortunately, this year it didn’t happen.

We were off to a great start with Chanelle’s birthday.  She was a happy girl when she returned home from my in-laws and found cards, gifts, and balloons waiting for her.  Girlfriend knows what to do with balloons.

 Note to self:  next year skip the gifts and go for balloons.  We wanted to see if she could fly like the Up house.

 No such luck, but endless entertainment for sure.

 We enjoyed a relaxing evening out with my in-laws and without a doubt Miss. Chanelle was feeling every bit of her specialness. . .

 . . . when we topped everything off with, what else? 

 CAKE!  Recipe, here.

 As I went to sleep that night I was feeling quite good knowing that my girl had a good day. 

Next up. . . Charlie’s birthday. 

Well, that was a different story.  You see, Charlie’s birthday was the same day as trick or treat this year.  Since our tradition is to spend trick or treat with my brother and his family we knew we would spend six hours in the car driving to and from his house.  Therefore, we did a bit of a rush cake/present presentation the night before his birthday.

If your curious. . . we did an ice cream bar cake, recipe here.  We replace the Whoppers with Oreos, because, why would you want Whoppers when you can have Oreos?

The highlight of Charlie’s actual birthday?  Winning a ball playing an arcade game that allows everyone to win.

I went to sleep that night still feeling good knowing that Charlie was pumped to put on his Ninja costume the next day for trick-or-treat. 

Ah, trick-or-treat.  I’ve been so excited to reveal the girls beautiful costumes.  I’ve been anticipating it since July when my niece sent me the costume idea.  Oh, they were perfect for my girls!  My MIL was on board to help me and we she spent an entire day several days working on the creation.

I had visions of the beautiful pictures I would take and the memories we would make by this very fanciful costume.

So on the day of trick-or-treat we piled into the car and made the near 3 hour trip to my brothers house.  I’m not sure who was more excited, me or the kids.  My nephews, Charlie, Chanelle and Meadow costumed up and headed out the door. 

Into the driveway we walked. . .

We looked around. . .

We look left.

Looked right.

Looked across the street. 

Looked down the street.

Where was everyone? 

Did I mention that it was 40 degrees and pouring down rain?  My brother ran back into the house to see if he could find any information. 

CANCELED.

All I have is this photo.  And this photo says it all.

Shortly after, we piled back in the car and returned home in time for bed. 

On the way home Charlie said, I didn’t really have a great birthday.
We gave it to him. . . no bud, you didn’t.  We’re sorry. 

In the end, two of our three “big” days were less than ideal.  I realize to stress like I do gets me nowhere.  Charlie was bummed, but he’s doing okay.  Really, it was a good life lesson for all of us. . . we can’t always get what we want.
For me?  A simple reminder. . . Sometimes it’s better to enjoy the journey, rather than to focus on the results. 

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Oh, and just in case you’re wondering what Meadow’s been up to. . . .

She not only figured out where her snacks are, but how to open them.  I’ve found her like this on more than one occasion. 

But how can I punish a face like this? 

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Happy November, Friends!