Happy 8th Birthday!

It's hard to believe that Teddy turned 8 yesterday. With COVID still a reality for our family, we didn't plan a party. On one hand, Teddy adores people and enjoys the attention, so he'd absolutely love a birthday party with all his favorite people. On the other hand, his birthday is just another day to him without all the anticipation that typically comes for a young child's birthday, so skipping a birthday party isn't emotionally scarring for him.

I probably suffer with more "mom guilt" than any suffering on Ted's behalf. That's partially because we didn't arrive home until 5 p.m. on his birthday because we were on a backcountry camping trip with AJ. Again, Teddy's birthday is just another day to him, so it's not like he was devastated we missed his birthday, and it was truly the only time we could secure the camping reservation. Plus, he probably had way more fun with his 1:1 time with his grandma and then a sleepover with his babysitter. 

Ted spent his birthday visiting the small local zoo, where he was fascinated by the lawn mower and the police handing out books more than the animals. He got Culver's for lunch and pizza for dinner, followed by a birthday cupcake that he had to share with his sitter who went above and beyond to make our camping trip possible. 

Then we spent today, the day after his birthday, together as a family. We visited our other sitter's lake house and spent the entire afternoon swimming, boating and chasing Ted as he attempted to get back on the boat. (He really loves boats!) It was an afternoon filled with food, water, and fun, all things Teddy enjoys. 

Amazingly, no one flipped on the paddleboard.

Next year we'll do a party for all our family, and Teddy will be more excited to see his people than his presents. This year, he'll continue to open the fun cards and gifts that arrive and spread out the fun of turning 8. 

We had fun whipping donuts in the paddle boat.