Ol' Mom and Dad still got it!

I am obviously struggling with Josh going into first grade and can pretty much guarantee, from here on out, that at the beginning of each school year I will be having a rough time. Each year will bring it's own reasons for my nervous breakdowns. Last year it was because it was his FIRST day of school. This year I think it is because I still remember first grade. I remember my teacher (well, teachers because Mrs. Lundstrom filled in half way), I remember that the song "Sarah" was popular, I remember being put at the "slow" table when we learned how to count money and that at THAT moment I swore I would never be at the "slow" table again, I remember my mother dressing up as one of the pigs in "Little Red Riding Hood" and scaring the bejesuz out of me, I remember the introduction of the Book It! program (and the pizzas that came with it) and I could go on and on about John Gordy and my immense crush on him.

We are tip toeing into the time when Josh will remember things. And while that is completely exciting...it is also quite scary as a parent. I am thinking of all the moments that I call "bad parent moments" and that my excuse thus far, and comfort, has been that he won't remember it. Oh, crap. I fear this is where the damage begins. This marks the beginning of the time when children remember ways their parents messed up in raising them.

Yeah. Right now I feel the same way I feel when I write in pen on an important document - mistakes mean a lot more work and tend to be a bit more messy (with that White Out and all). But in life we don't get White Out, we get therapy. And White Out's a heck of a lot cheaper.

In my constant strive to be the "fun mom" I caved and went along with Josh's dream Pokemon themed birthday party. I believe I am officially old because my son looks at me like I'm from another planet when he tries to explain to me the whole point of Pokemon and I still look at him and say, "I don't get it."

Nonetheless, Birthday Express came to my rescue and provided me with everything that a child could possibly want for Pokemon decorations. I explained to my brother-in-law this weekend that shopping for birthday supplies from the comfort of your own home, while in your pajamas, with all three children in bed is soooooo worth the $5 shipping. Shopping for such things in the stores creates a flurry of "I WANT"s from the children and awful migraines for the mothers. Besides, when an enormous box of goodies arrives to the attention of "The Birthday Boy" it's like another present in and of itself.

This year I came up with the great idea of having Josh's birthday out at the campground. My theory was that the mess would stay out of my house, we could burn the trash, drinking at 11:00 am is acceptable at the campground and, when all was said and done, I could leave a sugar crazed boy (and his friend) with Dustin and I could retire to my own bed.

Little did I know, having a party at your camper really isn't any less work than having it at home. You still have the clean-up, planning ahead is essential AND you have to transport everything at least two more times. So...it wasn't any easier...but it was still just as fun!!

Friday night I attempted to get organized and have everything ready for Saturday. I set Josh and Lauren on the task of filling the pinata. The hole in the back of the pinata was the size of a half dollar and when I realized that the entire ten pound bag of candy had to be shoved in the pinata piece by piece I just about lost it. But they came to the rescue and were eager to help. And I let them.



Saturday morning I had to get the balloons filled and pick up the cake. By the time we got out to the campground it was not long before the party was to start. Before long everyone was there and we were ready to party!!







When Ella wasn't sleeping...she wanted to be involved in the party!



Then came time for the pinata. These "new age" pinatas are quite the invention. No more do you have blindfolded children swinging large wooden sticks randomly at the sky. NOW days you have to find the "Magic Ribbon". I'm guessing pinata manufacturers were tired of getting sued by people that now only had one good eye or a broken bones due to the swinging efforts of a seven year-old child.






Then Dustin and I pulled out the big guns: water balloons. And boy did we get Josh by surprise! What a hoot!!




Then it was my favorite part to every party. TIME FOR CAKE!!!




As you can see, Lauren was in her usual "this is what you get when I haven't had a nap" mood.

Of course Sunday brought rain showers and wind. And of course no Bricker camping trip would be complete without setting up or tearing down in the rain.

Dad and I headed out to the campground Sunday morning to help. I pulled up and said to dad, "OMG. We are white trash." The back of the pickup was packed full of crap - including a grill, three bikes, bags of trash and cases of pop and beer. Then my husband comes around the corner wearing this...


(sorry it's out of focus but he was running to grab my camera)

I about peed I was laughing so hard. He's wearing a trash bag!!

As soon as he saw me reaching for my camera he ran away.



Seriously, you may be a redneck if....