Ellie's birthday FINALLY arrived... she thought she would never turn five! My parents came all the way out to Omaha to help her celebrate, which was very fun for all of us. We had a great time - and we hope they did, too (especially since they are making a return trip in less than two weeks to help us out...AGAIN... when this new baby arrives). :) On Saturday, we went to the zoo. It was a nice day, compared to what we have seen recently - temps in the 50s... not too crowded at the zoo, and we managed to see a lot of the "hot spots" - the aquarium, the butterfly garden, the desert dome - Ellie's choice, of course, for her "birthday" and it was a fun morning. While the kids were napping in the afternoon, my parents and I headed to the Nebraska Furniture Mart - I don't think my dad was too cracked up about it at first, but once he saw it... he was converted, for sure! (I don't think my parents shop at many "cheap furniture" stores at home... he couldn't believe some of the prices) They found a table and chairs for their new condo downtown, for a very reasonable price! :)
Saturday night - Ellie's birthday continues -- we went to Mimi's Cafe for dinner (again, ellie's choice). It's fine - she really gets a kick out of it for some reason - she thinks it's "fancy" because the forks only have three prongs - I guess, when you're five, that's worth something, but...
We came home, did the presents and cake and ice cream thing. (Always a little much to be eating a big dessert right after filling up on a restaurant dinner, but somehow, we all managed to get the cake and ice cream down!) I think Ellie was pleased to have such an "Ellie day" and to have grandma and papa here was even better!
On Sunday morning, before my parents left, we went outto breakfast and then jetted over to the hospital to show them around (well, this was mostly for ellie and nathan...) The hospital is pretty small in comparison to those in CHicago, but we thought the kids might like to catch a glimpse of it before the "big day." We saw all of the highlights - the piano in the lobby that plays itself (nathan was mesmerized!), the waiting room outside the maternity ward (which has a vending machine - too exciting!). Hopefully with a planned c-section, no one will have to be waiting long enough to need snacks, but you never know... soon enough - can't wait!
On Monday, Ellie's actual birthday, she brought shamrock cookies to school for her treat (they have really been hyping up the St. Patty's Day over there...). She came home in a birthday crown - tickled to have been the "birthday girl" at school. For dinner, we went to the Amazing Pizza Machine (a glorified chuck-e-cheese -- again, it was a 5 year old's choice). Not a bad time to go, actually. Monday night - no crowds. Easy to get everyone to be ready to leave - more cake and presents waiting at home. Nathan was starting to get a little suspicious as to why Ellie was getting so many separate birthday celebrations, but he was pretty good about it. After all, he did get to ride the go-karts with daddy (oh, wait, that was more of a treat for daddy!). Nathan had the birthday spirit - as we are pulling out the other half of the cake left over from Saturday, Nathan demanded another party hat before he would eat it -- the kid is all in for birthday fun!
Feeling a little guilty that Ellie didn't get a "friend party," but two celebrations so far, and when the Hilts come in April, we're going to do another "party" with the cousins. She should be alright :)
More soon - hopefully before this baby comes!
