Party like it’s 1999 – and then clean the house

Ryan’s far, far away in Missouri right now and aaaall weekend long flying toy airplanes with his little friends. I’ve been to those things before. They’re not fun. So Lily, Miles, and I opted to stay here and have actual REAL fun.

Here’s my Ryan-free to-do list:

• Get house into cleanish, non-humiliating condition.
• Clear off DVR that’s currently 96% full of reality TV crappy crap. We’re talking The Bachelorette, Top Chef, So You Think You Can Dance, an entire season of Project Runway, AND twelve episodes of Supernanny. I’m sooo not proud.
• Write magazine article that’s due in nine days, as opposed to waiting 8.5 days to start it like I normally would.
• Hang Lily’s growth chart on the wall and place actual measurements on it from the last 3.5 years. How I wish I were joking.
• Party it up with my little people.

And party it up we have. There’s a pretty good chance I’m gonna fail at everything else on my list, but we’ve got the partying stuff down.

Today? Playtime Pizza.

Yep, that’s a bowling ball. A miniature one, yes, but a bowling ball nonetheless. Apparently, ROLLING the ball is a difficult concept.

Touchdown! Or something.

Playtime Pizza pizza.

No pizza for Miles. Poor guy.

And, yes, I’m aware that my daughter’s shirt is too small. Way too small. But she declared it to be her absolute FAVORITE this a.m., and I let her wear it one last time before it sorta just disappears.

Lily has decided that this is THE place to have her birthday party this year.

Though she also wants a Backyardigans-themed tea party. The kid is very specific.

Miles thought the mini carousel was the coolest thing ever. He rode it over and over and over again and never stopped giggling.

Yes, that’s a pacifier. And, no, he doesn’t actually take one. He just uses ‘em as chew toys.

Here’s a paci-free shot.

And, okay, another.

We earned enough tickets to get a ring pop, and Lily thought it was the best $5 ring pop ever.

And tonight we got Chinese takeout and watched Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chip-wrecked. Again.

Yesterday we enjoyed a fabulous play date at the home of our pals Heidi, two-year-old Nancy, and seven-month-old Karen.

This little boy (Colton) is a little over a month older than Miles, and he’s a total crawling pro and on the verge of walking, so I was all, “Miles, look at him! Look at him!” But Miles showed no interest whatsoever in Colton or his mobile ways.

None at all.

He saved all his energy for Karen.

He’s truly obsessed with the girl. And her hair. Poor thing.

Lily gets in on the baby action.

They keep multiplying.

Lily beelined for that swing as soon as we opened the door and then melted down oh-so-pathetic-like when I eventually requested insisted that she share it. NOT a proud mama moment.

Her compulsive flower plucking is contagious.

Later in the day, we made no-bake energy bites. Yummm!…though Lily says they’re sorta yucky, to which I say MORE FOR ME.

Those are measuring cups.