We met Meredith at Gymboree early in 2008, and her family was very supportive and encouraging through Nathan's weight loss and hospitalization last winter -- and since then, her mom (also Erin) and I have become friends -- we like to take the kids walking at Lake Johnson... she's one only friends I have who will brave the hills even in the cold months, so I really appreciate our shared desire for fresh air!Meredith's party started at Gymboree - Nathan hadn't been in a while (since September) and he could do way more than last time we were there! He was climbing all over everything! Running around, throwing balls, climbing "big steps" and sliding down slides. So fun! He also loved the parachute every bit as much as he used to, but instead of lying on the floor kicking as in old days, today he ran around under it, squealing. Too cute. And he was officially not the loudest one there -- seems he has learned to tone down that big personality when we're around other kids, to the point he might be becoming a pushover (several times kids took toys from him and then ran away, and he didn't do anything about it... he would just look sad for a second and then find something else to play with...
I decided since it wasn't bugging him, I wouldn't push it with the other parents, even though some of them were 4 or 5 and should know better), kind of strange to see Nathan in a social setting now that he's getting a little older! Anyway we had fun with the bubbles and songs and climbing equipment, and of course he enjoyed seeing several big trucks out the window too. :)Then we went back to Meredith's house for a cookout, and to play in her yard. She has a kiddie pool that I thought Nathan would love. Um... not so much. Odd because he loves the bath, and (as long as it's not too cold) he loves swimming pools too -- baby pools and grownup pools. But this one, he was terrified of. He just wanted to stand next to it and pour water all over himself, but not actually stand in the pool. Fortunately it was lots of parents of toddlers around, and they were understanding of water not staying in the pool -- I imagine they're used to it. (They were less understanding of Nathan washing off his cheetoh hands in the water, which baffled me but whatevs. Yeah, your kid's swimming in a kiddie pool full of dirt and leaves, not wearing a diaper to contain his bodily fluids, and you're worried that -- gasp!! -- she might get some cheetoh dust or icing on her swimsuit. ::sigh::)
Nathan, birthday girl Meredith, and mommy Erin
Cupcake with blue icing.... blue!!But was actually a really fun party; Nathan had a ball! He ate hamburger, baked beans (of course), birthday cake, gumdrops shaped like fish, and ran around in the yard and got out lots of energy. Needless to say he's sleeping hard right now, and I hope he'll stay that way!
For more pictures of us at home and around town over the last month, click on Nathan helping to sweep the floor, below.
by mgoetts