Layla's Birthday

I had such plans for Layla’s birthday. We were going to go out to eat as a family. She and I were going to go to the movie. We were going to spend the day together. The best made plans…

I asked Baby what she wanted for breakfast. I was expecting her to say pancakes, then we’d all pack up and go to IHOP. Instead she said, “Cheerios.” I thought about throwing out the word “pancakes” so she’d know that was a breakfast possibility, but then I looked at the time and decided not to. We’d slept in and if we got dressed, went out to breakfast, it might be a tight fit for seeing our movie. And really, what’s better than a baby who knows what she wants and likes. She loves Cheerios and who was I to deny the birthday girl from having her birthday desired breakfast.

As it always seems on weekends or days off time flew by quickly. When I got out the shower, I knew I had to quickly bathe the baby so we could make it to the movie on time. And thanks to JCP not having any birthday gear in their store, there was no way for Layla to announce her birthday to the world, so I had to find something else for her to wear. I finally found a new shirt she hadn’t worn, a pair of jeans, and the new sparkly blue tennis shoes Auntie Mona bought her for Christmas. I sported my new jogging suit, I bought myself on Black Friday and we were good to go. Jory and Rowan wanted to go, but I explained to them that it was Layla’s birthday and we were going to the movies just the two of us. Plus they weren’t dressed and we were running late as it was.

Rowan soon got distracted by the movie she put in, but Jory looked at us sadly. He really wanted to go. He didn’t get to go to the movies for his birthday. Seriously dude?! Seriously?! Taking you to the movies would be cheaper for mommy than taking you and your siblings to Chuck E. Cheese on Christmas Eve. Don’t even get me started, little boy. I reminded him that he got to go to Chuck E. Cheese for his birthday, but Layla wasn’t doing anything like that. He didn’t like that answer, but what were we going to do.

We were late to the theater and there were tons of people in line. Where did they all come from? Why are they all in line at 12:35PM on a Saturday? They didn’t have children with them. Don’t adults go to the movie in the evenings on the weekend? With Layla lying her head on my shoulder with a blanket wrapped around her, I purchased our tickets. Then we headed to the counter and ordered popcorn, hot dog, and soda. Why in God’s green earth wouldn’t they have a hot dog, popcorn, soda combo? Is that combination unheard of at this movie theater? Whatever, bygones. My hands were too full, so Layla had to walk. I got condiments, then wondered do I need to add popcorn butter. It’s been so long since I was at a theater. So long since I bought popcorn at the theater. Didn’t’ they already add the buttery goodness? I looked at our popcorn and didn’t seem like it. I added a little just in case.

Not only had the previews ended, but the movie had started when we got into the theater. UGH! What did they show like two movie previews? I’m thinking I’m not digging this theater. They are not making a good first impression. We found seats and the baby sat next to me. I put the blanket across her. I didn’t want to hear any complaining about her being cold.

For a while she sat there quietly, then she tapped me and pointed to the hot dog I was eating. She got a bite and amazed me by not eating the whole thing. Then it was time for the popcorn. At some point, I was giving her enough or giving it to her fast enough, so she asked to hold the bag herself. She was the birthday girl, why not. Why not indeed? At some point, she started doling out the popcorn, practically kernels at a time. Counting how many she would give me. Then she wanted sips of my drink. The ultimate quandary. This baby has the bladder of a ganat (yes, that’s gnat with an extra “a”). Do I give her something to drink then risk her having to go and we miss the movie? You only turn four once, so I agreed, but I stopped at letting her hold the drink. I knew that would be a disaster waiting to happen.

Then it happened.

“Mommy, I have to go to the bathroom.” Her voice sounded loud in the quiet theater.

Of course you do. “Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

Crap! I moved our stuff aside, picked her up, then moved down the aisle to the stairs. Nope, this was the scene people had talked about. She was going to have to wait. And she did, the scene finished, I wasn’t that blown away, and then she started moving. It was time to take her. We walked out of the theater and directly in front of us was a family bathroom. SCORE! No score, the door was locked. Crap! So we quickly ran and went to the other bathroom. She went quickly and we ran back. Based on reactions, we didn’t miss much.

I reached over to get more popcorn and it was gone. The little “I’m not hungry cause I just ate Cheerios at home” baby ate all my popcorn and had a bite of hot dog. If I didn’t move my soda that would be gone. Greedy child.

Layla turned to me and said, “I’m ready to go.”

She was right as were some of the reviews I read, MI: 4 was a bit long. It could have ended a little earlier. “Layla, you have to whisper,” I whispered back to her. “And the movie is almost over.“

“Okay,” she said, back in her normal voice.

I decided not to correct her and let it go. She’d understand one day. Fifteen minutes later, the movie was finished and we were out the door.

It was nice having one on one time with my baby. We drove home just in time to chill out for a second before we had to hit the door to go to support group. Jory was unhappy we were leaving again. He didn’t understand why the baby got to be alone with me. Hello kettle, you’re black. The boy who is alone with me for what an hour each day is complaining about the baby getting alone time, whatever. I did remind him how we have alone time and do things without the girls and now it was the baby’s turn, but he wasn’t hearing it. So when we left for support group he was in tears.

At support group, everyone wished Layla, a happy birthday. And she delighted in all the attention. And the 3-year-old Sunday School group she goes to had saved her Christmas present, so score she gets a birthday present in the form of- - take a wild guess- - yes, a pillow pet. Really I could have saved my money on Black Friday and not bought any of them one since they all got one over the holidays and after from some place else.

So since plans for a meal out with the family never came to past, I figured the least I could do was take dinner home and we could eat together. I called Oma on the way home to see what she wanted to eat, since the baby didn’t care. Oma had no opinions either, but after passing the third El Pollo Loco, I felt that was God’s sign that that’s what we should have for dinner. We picked up our Chicken Tostada Salads and kept on trucking while listening to four great 80s love songs on the KOST. Songs I could sing to the birthday girl.

We stopped at Baskin-Robbins so Layla could get her free ice cream scope. I held her up so she could see all the different flavors. She chose the bubble gum flavor. I asked her what kind of cake did she want for her birthday. She said she didn’t want any cake. She wanted to put her candles in a donut. Score, we had donuts at home. This kid was saving me money on her birthday. I love this kid.

I unloaded the car and put dinner on the table, only to discover Jory and Rowan weren’t hungry. Awesome. The baby, Oma, and I ate, then it was time for candle time. I got out the box of donuts. I took out the candles.

“No, Mommy. I don’t want the candles in my donut,” the baby declared.

“Where do you want your candles?” I asked.

“In my ice cream,” she answered.

Hey, it’s her birthday, that sounds great to me. Thank goodness I asked for a cup instead of a cone. I slapped the four candles in her ice cream and lit them. We all stood around her and started singing “Happy Birthday.” I took pictures, then Layla blew out the candles. Since there wasn’t any more ice cream in the house, I gave Jory and Rowan donuts to celebrate their sister’s birthday.

“Okay, so where’s the cake?” Oma asked.

“Layla didn’t want one,” I responded.

“So you didn’t buy one?” she questioned.

“Nope, she wanted candles in her ice cream so that’s what I did.”

It does suck when you’re all geared up for something in your mind, then you don’t get it. Oh well, Rowan’s birthday is in a few weeks so we might have cake then.

During her break from her ice cream which she shared with her siblings, I put the birthday gifts in front of her. I was short on birthday wrapping paper so I had to put it all together.

Ooh, look at that. Layla got Barbie skates, that I’m sure she’ll never use like her siblings never did, but at least this way when they are ready to skate everyone has a pair. Yippee! Oh look, the latest Veggie Tales movie. And finally, it’s Perry the Platypus from Phineas and Ferb. I could tell by the look on the baby’s face I had scored with these gifts. OH wait, that was in my imagination. She seemingly could have cared less after all the wrapping paper was torn off. But her sister was excited by the new movie and the Barbie on the skates, and her brother thought her getting Perry was pretty cool, so I scored with those two.

Since you only turn four once, I decided to let the girls stay up let. Rowan convinced the baby it would be fun to watch her new movie. Leave convincing someone to watch a movie to Rowan. So I put the dvd in my computer and let them watch, as I cleaned up the kitchen and then tried to watch it with them. And by watch it with them, I mean having my pjs on, getting under the covers, adjusting my pillow, laying my head on it closing my eyes, then pulling the covers over my head. So really, I was listening to it with them. I woke up for the last ten minutes or so, and they were totally engrossed and enjoyed the movie. And thus ended the birthday of Miss Layla and the beginning of her life as a twin.