Guess who had a birthday yesterday?
I was sleepy all day and *really really* did not *at all* want to celebrate the dog’s birthday. However, as the day slipped by, and the raw turkey sat on the counter waiting, I realized that I would regret it if we didn’t get busy making Parker his birthday cake.
Jacob did it all, actually. He tipped the meat from it’s packaging onto a plate (yes, it was fiestaware, *sigh*). Then, he made an icing out of powdered sugar and water. Ethan was ready with some sprinkles and Grace was ready with dog treats and just like that, the cake was decorated. At the last moment, Jacob decided to put a raw hot dog on either side of “the cake”.
I grabbed my camera, we called the little boys, and away we went, down to the utterly confused dog’s house.
We sang “Happy Birthday” and I took pictures from a distance.
The children absolutely LOVED it.
Why why why do I do things like this? I’ll tell you why…….
Because it’s FUN! I dare you not to laugh while you watch your dog eat raw hot dogs off his birthday cake.
And, because we are making memories! When the children are all grown up, I just know this will be one of their favorite events to remember. When my children are grown and gone, it will be one of the things I think about that will make me smile and miss them. I won’t remember being so tired, but I will remember those little excited voices, the bare feet, the dog’s tail wagging, and the joy of the moment. I won’t regret it one bit.
“Eighteen years, maybe twenty: that’s about all the time you will have to prepare your kids to be happy, responsible, independent, peace-loving citizens of the world into which they were born. That might seem like a reasonably long time on the day you bring that little bundle of joy home from the hospital–but in the scheme of things, it’s really just a blink. One blink–that’s all the time you have to go after moments of joy, moments of love, moments of learning with a deep resolve to get and give all you can, while you can.” from 101 Things you should do Before Your Kids Leave Home, by David Borden and Tom Winters
Good to be Home 
So cool! But how do you have a party for a dog with privacy issues? Our dog refuses to eat anything until we are out of sight.
So cute!! Yes,I’m sure it’ll be a great memory! (for you & them) Blessings to you!
Oh, Shanda! Look at their faces!!! Just those shining faces really would make it all worth while.
It is one thing to give him his own birthday cake but on a Fiesta plate?!!!!!! Were you keeping you distance becuase you did not want to see the plate licked by a dog?!!! LOL!
I love how intently Caleb is watching, I can imagine what his expression is!
ah, that’s so great!! love that you made time for such an important member of the family! i love how delighted your children look! 🙂 have a great day!
Aw. He has a candle and everything. 😉 Cute, cute, cute. 🙂
how fun!
Those kids are truly tickled pink by the whole thing aren’t they?
I absolutely love this!!! all of it. precious. the dog the kids the idea are all amazing. 🙂
Oh yes that is a memory that you will smile about later. It made me smile today. Children have a way of bringing such joy to the world. If only I didn’t get so caught up in the “now how long will it take me to clean up THAT mess” mentality and just have fun.
I love the look of delight on your their faces. That quote at the bottom is SO true. It goes by in a blink Our two girls are both in college now. The youngest just finished her 1st year and is home for the summer. The oldest will graduate this June, will be home for a month this summer, and then will be off to Japan next school year for one year of study. It is good to see my youngest dd home, and I realized last night seeing her has rekindled that little mom ache in my heart that wants to have both girls home to give the oldest a hug too. But still it is good we can communicate by phone and Internet. I think I mentioned this before once? I was at the grocery store one day with two fussy toddler daughters and a grey haired lady in line at the store behind me told me to enjoy my girls because they’d be grown up in no time at all. I smiled and thanked her but I remember thinking, with both girls fussing, that it has been a long time since the old lady had dealth with toddlers. And now .. I know every word she said was true! I think I have writtten a blog here instead of a comment!
You are creating fabulous memories!
Yuck!! Raw turkey? (maybe you should cook one next year in the shape of a bone!)
Well…..That was my first reaction…..but after I saw the pictures and saw how much you all enjoyed this along with parker I started Smiling! What Aunt wouldn’t? Just look at Jacob’s face:) Happy Birthday to Parker…~Amanda
Thanks for your post! I needed that reminder.
Kitten
oh my gosh that was so inspiring!! 🙂 I don’t have a dog but it still inspired me to bless my children in any way I can!
I love your enthusiasm. It’s so true that it is a ‘blink”. My first born son just turned 20 yrs old. From 1-10 yrs old was nice and long, but hard. From 10-20 was enjoyable and a blessing but it went much faster than the first 10 yrs. Now I enjoy my youngest 9 month old, soaking up those moments that will just be a memory I carry with me all to soon.
Thank you for sharing~ Cinnamon
adorable! I love the “blink” quote as well
Yes! They do indeed look so happy. Parker is not sure why he rated such a treat…but he is going for it!! Caleb looks so cute bent over and watching…
What fun — and what a wonderful memory!
Hilarious ~
Happy birthday, Parker! Yep! You are making memories!
Very cute! My good friend has a dog and she and her kids buy little presents (and wrap them) for the dog’s birthday party!
Very cute!
I want to be like you when I grow up… but will mykids wait until then? I think of all the lost years and want to burst into tears.
I absolutely love that quote you wrote out! I opened a new tab and ordered the book, thanks for sharing!!! What a fun mom you are! Your kids will always remember these small and silly things you do with them. And the cake, the cake is fabulous! Have a great evening. =)
How sweet, Happy Birthday to your four legged friend. Your children looked like they really enjoyed it. I love fun times like this. I wish we need our dogs birthday and our cats, fishes, chickens….
That’s so special! It’s true that the best memories are the little things. I will never forget when my mom (danishdoll) tied a string to my doorknob on my birthday and I had to follow the string all through the house to find presents that were attached to it. It finally led to a birthday donut at the dining room table. It was the best! I’m sure that was a lot more work for my mom but it was so special to me and I had such fun doing it.I’m going to buy that book you recommended. That or see if the library has it.
LOL! This blog is SO much better than “The Waltons” :)You are such a fun and fabulous Mom…it always surprises me when you doubt that.Hugs!Kara
I also have to add…that I wish I had grown up in your family. 🙂
So cute! I love how everyone is in bare feet too. You are such a fun Mom! I hope you have a very happy Mothers Day, Shan! Love you, Elisha