Stella's 9th

Over the past year the plans for Stella's 9th birthday have changed on an almost weekly basis. She finally settled on taking 4 of her dearest friends (and Marni) to Coney Island for a day of rides and hot dogs.

Unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate with this plan and rainy weather forced us to improvise. So, instead of amusement park rides, we ended up bowling at our favorite Maple Lanes.

Along the way, Nana and Papa Shepard got lost and ended up in Mill Basin. And Stella's friend Caitlin got in a minor fender-bender on the drive over. But eventually everyone arrived and the bowling commenced.

There was a really spectacular bowler practicing in the lane next to us. A strike almost every time. But it became clear that our lunatics were beginning to distract him, so I went over to have a chat. He smiled and said it was fine. He explained that the kids allowed him to practice bowling with distractions. I told him we would be giving him lots of practice.

The vending machines cost more than the bowling!

Meanwhile, it was hard to tell if we were at the bowling alley to bowl or to stand in front of the vending machines and feed in dollar bills.

Eventually we finished our bowling and headed for some pizza lunch and then back home for cake and presents.

On the way home I spied an orthodox Jewish neighborhood patrol "cop" and proceeded to sing a Jewish version of the "Cops" theme song ("Oy vey, oy vey, what ya gonna do?") The 5 girls in our car immediately began to serenaded Lisa and I with their version of my singing.

Once home we blew out candles, ate cake, did a scavenger hunt for presents, and then sang and danced some more.

Things began to wind down around five.

That evening Stella told Lisa and I that this was the best birthday party ever. That was very nice to hear, and it just goes to show that you don't always need to spend a ton of money on an over-the-top party.

Let the planning begin for next year!

 

 

Using the same 9-month candle for 9-years

Performing "Rolling in the Deep"

 

More Work for the Tooth Fairy

Marni summoned the tooth fairy to Brooklyn on May 6th to take care of business.

Here's how it all went down...

Lisa got a phone call that morning from a class mom who was chaperoning the class trip that Marni was on. The first thing the mom said was not to worry, Marni was okay. Then she went on to explain that Marni lost a tooth and that she had packed it in a sandwich bag and put it in Marni's lunch box.

Luckily the tooth remained safe throughout the rest of the day.

Later that night we placed the tooth under her pillow and waited for the tooth fairy to do her thing.

In the morning Marni happily discovered her new $1 coin.

And now, for the time being, she can get back to eating corn on the cob and apples.

Overheard #38

STELLA: "Daddy, was I a (test) dummy so that you would know how to raise Marni better?"