In Lily’s class, it was some sort of sports players and cheerleaders thing where the kids either danced or jumped up and down in costumes to music. Hey, what do you expect from a classroom of two-year olds? In Josh’s class, they showcased dancing from the 50′s through the present day, and Josh did some 50′s dancing. At the end, the kids “graduating” walked down the aisle and on stage in red caps and gowns to receive their “diplomas.” It was all very cute.

Afterwards, we all went back to our house for dinner and drinks, and the kids ran around playing and screaming. My sister took photographs and I took video, but neither is actually available to be posted. Check back later.

On Saturday, we celebrated Lily’s second birthday with a party at Josh’s gym, which was the same place we celebrated his 3rd birthday (March 2008.) We invited her classmates from her class, and kids from among our circle of family and friends. As usual, a lot of the parents were very late with the RSVPs. What I found ironic was that we received an RSVP for a child we didn’t remember inviting, but we figured the more the merrier.

Lily's 2nd birthday party

The party went well. As usual, my sister and my BIL showed up early to (again) help us with running errands before a party, which included picking up the birthday cake and balloons today. If they didn’t keep swooping in to help us, I think we’d be even later for every major Ipe event. We arrived about 10 mins late to our own party, but since it was at a fully-staffed gym, parents and children were occupied with activities.

Everything went well, and Lily had a very good time. We had Papa John’s (again), because hey, you can’t beat that “$10 per pie with any toppings you want” deal. Nope, you can’t beat it. I think we’re officially done with parties for another year, which is a relief. I’m not a fan of throwing lavish birthday parties any more. Especially with young children, going overboard is pointless. The children themselves enjoy running around, eating their pizza, and drinking from their juice box. They don’t need much more than that.

So to bring this story to a close, remember that family that we didn’t invite, but left a voicemail that they would attend the party? Yeah, they didn’t show up to the party after all. We’re still confused about that one.

Party at our house	Catered dinner
Plexy & Sheba	Lesh & Lily play Pictionary

We don’t have a lot of people over very often, and always forget how much work goes into hosting a party. It’s not easy to get the house all clean and spiffy (our kids certainly don’t help), and there’s a lot to do! After some of the guests started to arrive, I drafted Vijay and Sunil to accompany me for a liquor and grocery store run. Later, I made a separate run to pick up dinner.

Apart from the leftover tasks that we had after guests started arriving, our friends helped out with some stuff, and everything else fell into place. The weather was great, the house was nicely decorated, most people could make it, and the food was delicious. Along with the great dinner party conversation and tasty food, we all played Pictionary for entertainment. I think the party broke up around 12:30am, so I think it went extremely well. Photos are posted for your amusement. We should have people over more often.

I do want to pontificate on how children sleep. Notice that I didn’t do that arrogant self-centered thing where I comment on how my children sleep differently from your children, and how that’s more interesting. No, no, no. Plenty of self-centered parents out there, and I’m not one of them. My children don’t do anything better or worse than other children out there. They’re all different, and yet all the same. I’ve noticed that my children often sleep in odd positions, and yours probably do too.

Butts in the air, sideways sleeping, you name it. It doesn’t look particularly comfortable, but maybe it works for them. Recently, Lily has won an unofficial trophy for the weirdest sleeping position. Recently, my wife went to wake up the kids, and found my daughter in a particularly odd position. Sometime in the night, she had taken off her shirt. Furthermore, at the time of her wake-up call, she was sleeping with her hand down her pants.

It’s just odd.

Lily sleeping kinda like Al Bundy

Turns out that more parents are trying out yoga for the kids. According to CNN’s article, “Yoga helps even little ones channel energy, emotion“, hundreds of studios across country teach yoga to children. Wow, I had no idea.

1. My wife took the kids for lunch with her parents Saturday afternoon at some new Indian restaurant, where there was a special Onam (South India / Kerala state Thanksgiving, if you must.)
2. BBQ at my friend Doug’s house Saturday afternoon up in Orange county. I brought the kids.
3. Two of my Michigan friends, Paul and Sean, were in town for the weekend for separate events.  We partied it up with my friend Doug Saturday night….. in Lodi, NJ!
4. Paul stayed over our house Saturday night.
5. Lily wouldn’t sleep Saturday night, and she was up with us (my wife had the 10pm-3:30am shift, and I ended up taking the 3:30am - 5am shift (or whenever she fell asleep on me on the couch, and I fell asleep too.) All I know is that I woke up with Lily sleeping on me at 7:41am. She was up soon after.
6. I took the kids to the pool late Sunday afternoon.  It got too cold after a while, so we went home 30 mins later.
7. I had dinner with the kids and my in-laws at the fancy-shmancy Red Lobster. 
8. Josh requested an imprompto sleepover at their house, and we obliged. I just had to get his pajamas and other stuff from home, and take them all over.  Lily stayed with me.
9. Monday was wholesale club and other shopping in the afternoon.
10. Monday night was a BBQ at my sister’s place.  We got home around 11pm.

Sometimes it was more “filled” than “fun”, but it was still an overall decent weekend.

Lily's Three Days @ My Office

At the end of August, and the beginning of September, our daycare provider closes down for “in-service days”, which must mean something, but I have no idea.  Maybe it’s to get ready for the new school year.  Maybe it’s to retrain the teachers. All I know is that I gotta find backup childcare for the kids for three days straight.

Last year, I tried to use a backup childcare center that we have access to through my employer, but it turned out that August and September are months where they receive a high number of requests.  Maybe the other daycare providers shut down too?  Is there an association where they all agree on this stuff?  I tried last year, but there was a long waiting list, so it never worked out.

This year, I was smart.  I made sure all the paperwork was updated and ready, including medical forms. I found out that I can only make requests for backup childcare within 30 days or less. Beginning July 31st, I called each consecutive day.  There was no way I was going to get screwed two years in a row.

Starting Monday, Josh and Lily were up and ready each morning, and we did the drive to my office. Josh liked it, but Lily apparently didn’t, as she did a lot of crying whenever I dropped her off.  I don’t understand why — it’s an excellent facilty, and really nice. Professional staff, lots of toys and activities, and they are fully-stocked with all the fun stuff (even computers!) They even take photos of the activities your child did each day, and attach them to the status summary sheet you get at the end of the day. Well, Lily has always been a little high maintenance.

On Monday, I let the kids eat lunch at the facility in their own classrooms, then take their naps.  On Tues, we ate lunch in the cafeteria with two of my friends/coworkers.  Today, we and a friend/coworker of mine ate at Burger King for lunch. Overall, it was nice change of pace, and I hope the kids didn’t hate it too much.  Josh liked it a lot, and the folks at the facility stated that Lily was basically fine the rest of the days.  She just didn’t want me to leave her in the mornings or after lunch.  Josh and Lily certainly had full days, as they usually slept on the commute home.

One sick little girl

What a week.  The kids have been sick all week long, and taking turns going from good to bad to worse.  We have made so many trips to drop them off late, pick them up early this week. 

1. On Sunday, Lily got sick first, and starting looking very clingy and not happy. 
2. On Monday, one of us had to pick her from the daycare in the afternoon.
3. On Tuesday, Lily went to the doctor, and then stayed with one of grandparents Tuesday.  Turns out she had an ear infection.  After I picked her up from the grandparents, and on the way to the daycare to pick up Joshua, I got a call that he was now sick.
4. On Wed, I kept Josh with me, and Lily looked recovered, so we took her to daycare.  I took Josh to the doctor, but he appeared to just have a regular viral infection.  I took him around with me as we ran errands that morning, and then we took my parents to Newark airport for their trip. As I was just arriving to pick up Lily, I came to see her screaming and vomiting orange in her classroom.  Uh oh.
5. On Thursday, they both looked okay, so they both went back to school.
6. On Friday, they both had to go to school.  In the afternoon, we got the call that Lily had a 104-degree temperature.  I picked her as she was screaming her head off.

Concerned about this high temperature, and one bout of vomiting, and not thinking this was an ear infection, we took her to the doctor.  An hour later, all tests were inconclusive.

What a week. Sick children are no fun at all.