One moment it was Friday afternoon. Next thing I know it’s 10:30pm on Sunday night, and I can’t stop yawning (which sucked, because Dan’s brother’s girlfriend and I were hanging out talking, and I felt rude yawning in the middle of our conversations!). So, Saturday was the bonfire. Alyssa was with my mom for a haircut, so Dan and I took Ryan and headed to Target for a few party things and maybe a Halloween costume for Dan (that didn’t work out, but something else worked out instead, so it’s all good!). We left there, flew through Wendy’s drive-thru for a quick lunch (I had a plain cheeseburger only ketchup, no fries), and then went down to the grocery store to pick up Alyssa’s cake and food for the birthday party. Did I mention it was raining practically non-stop the whole time we were out? Dan and I walked out of Target into a horrible downpour, and I remember thinking, “Geez, maybe we shouldn’t go to the bonfire tonight”. But then I gave myself a mental smack, since I knew there’d be the huge bonfire, plus a mini-barn with plenty of chairs in it. Besides, Dan’s aunt and uncle really go all out to throw a party for 50+ people, so there was no way in hell we’d not go, you know?
So, the bonfire: it rained, of course. It always does. But the rain stopped around 8:30pm, so we only got wet from our shoes to our knees (my precious Skechers are absolutely drenched in mud *sob*). Dan’s aunt and uncle strew hay all over the place to try and soak up some of the mud and prevent slipping and sliding, but it was still a huge mess. I thought ahead and dressed Lissy in her raincoat and rain boots (Hello Kitty, of course), and she took full advantage of the rain gear and tromped through every mud puddle she could find.
The bonfire was so much fun. It always is. Alyssa ran around with the other kids while Dan and I hung out with his brothers and sisters. We snacked on food, toasted marshmallows, enjoyed the bonfire, had a few drinks (just two double shots for me, thanks), and kept tabs on Lissy, who had a blast running around with the other kids and toasting marshmallows with us.
(Speaking of Alyssa, it’s now after midnight, which means it’s October 27th, 2009 and ALYSSA’S FIFTH BIRTHDAY!)
We had Alyssa’s birthday party on Sunday. I love being able to do the kids’ birthday parties on their birthdays, but with everyone’s work and school schedules, that just isn’t feasible. Although honestly, three years in a row now I’ve sent out invitations specifying a time, and everyone RSVPs, but then last minute it comes out that they can’t come until an hour or two later. Or in the case of Dan’s brother, not at all. But I won’t get into that, heh. I’ll air my family’s dirty laundry, but I’m not hanging out the in-laws’ laundry!
So, we had it on Sunday. It felt kind of weird, since it wasn’t even her birthday. Last year we moved her party to November 1st (scheduling conflicts for everyone), but at least then she was four, you know? But we still had a lot of fun, and she was thrilled to help decorate, help lay out food, and of course greet everybody, open presents and enjoy her birthday cake.
So that was my weekend. I’ve been so busy lately, and this week is going to be both busy and fun, and in between the business and funness I’m going to be churning out articles for Demand Studios. If any of you are looking for a legitimate work-at-home job that is there when you need it, convenient and reliable, DS is IT! I’ve been writing articles for them for a little over a month now. I’m up to 120 total articles. Each article pays $15. I’ll let you do the math on that one. 
Anyway, I think I’ll wrap this up, as I have an episode or two of CSI that I’d like to watch before I go to bed. I’m still on the first season. I can tell that it’s going to take me quite a while to get through all of the seasons!
Related posts:4 Comments
, on October 27 2009 at 2:30am:
Happy Birthday to Alyssa!! :-) How exciting, 5 is such a great age!! Loved the pics of her birthday she is so lovely!!
Wow the bonfire sounds like it was a blast even with the rain. Great pics, the one of the fire looks like a dragon, I swear.
, on October 27 2009 at 5:19am:
I know what you mean about the TV shows, lol. I recently started 90210 (the original). I’m almost through the second season, but I feel like I’ll never get done!
Happy Birthday to Alyssa. 
As the domain name suggests, my name is Jenn, and I own this blog. I'm 26 years old and married to my one true ♥, Daniel. And while I have two kids (Alyssa is five, and Ryan is three), you won't find "mommy" in my username or email address, nor does my blog revolve around them. I'm a mother, but most importantly I am me, with a passion for love, blogging, reading, and photography. I'm also a busy freelance writer, web designer & SEO goddess.
Awww, happy birthday Alyssa!
She looked like she had just so much fun opening presents and with that *giant* cake. Cripes, you really went all out – that cake is practically the same size she is! 
I’m glad everyone had an awesome time, and the bonfire sounds like it was fun (and if I owned rainboots, I would have been right there stepping in all the mud puddles too)