***Just want to be clear about things right away. The cupcakes on the left were handed to me at the end of the day by our amazing childcare friend for our birthday boy, the cake on the right is the half-thawed freezer cake that the mama picked up from the grocery store.***
-------
We have a new five year-old in the house! His "real" birthday just happened to fall on a busy Wednesday with the daddy out of town for work, that meant this mama was flying solo in her efforts to make this day special at home.
On stretches of days that I am on my own with the kids I develop much compassion and empathy for single parents. But, I also do remind myself, most single parents are not taking care of four children, 40 some chickens, two hives of bees, a eighty pound German Shepherd, and 16 kindergartners.
I try to cut myself a little slack.
When the daddy is away, I get worn out quick. Going into the week I was not aiming for perfection.
And I am glad I wasn't. My efforts for a little Wednesday night celebration were a flop.
I had hopes to have a somewhat peaceful meal together and cake on his real birthday.
The reality was that we had buttered noodles, a dog eating off the table, crying and fighting, and half-thawed freezer cake, with the option of perfect cupcakes for a second dessert.
---
Things did not go as I would have liked them to go, but, what I do know is that this little five year old child is loved by his mama and daddy, sister and brothers more he can ever imagine.
That is the greatest gift that we can give him on his real birthday this year.
Not quite perfect, but full of love.
-----------