So I am sitting in the car and it is hour 12 of our drive to new York. It is also my first iPad post attempt. Forgive typos.

The birthday week long activities continued Thursday with a celebration at school. When I told him that morning that we would be coming to his school he said. “You’re going to come to school for my birthday and we can have snack and then I can go home early.”. Nice. Apparently he is getting too old for us to just sneak off for a few more hours of work.

We brought Italian cookies and blueberries. They were all outside when we arrived. Thane exclaimed, “that’s my mommy and daddy!” when he saw us. Sheri instructed everyone to sit down while thane passed out his snacks for everyone. They were a big hit with everyone except sheri, who wondered why people kept bringing cookies into her classroom (his was party four of the week).

Snack went well and we got to see Thane with all of his friends. After snacks were out in the trash and the tables cleaned, we headed out. Thane got the special treat of going to his daddy’s office. He got to wear a badge. He got to shoot nerf guns and look like Rambo (so not mommy approved). He was very well behaved and told the guard as he left, “thank you for letting me come and see my daddy’s office.”.

What happens when you have 2 adults, 2 kids, 4 parties (including 2 of your own), a Renaissance Festival, and 25 friends?

Oh, and what if you were to add an ear infection to that as well?

That’s right…you get The Hansen Birthday Extravaganza!

Friday night started with a call from Mara’s school…she had a 103.5 degree fever. One rushed trip to the doctor and it was just an ear infection and we got a pass to go out for dinner and to birthday parties as planned.

Then we headed to celebrate my birthday…BOWLING! Yes, I, the world’s worst bowler, bowled. And drove bumper cars. And pretended to be a kid all night long. It was glorious!

Saturday morning we got dressed and headed to party #2…a pirate party at the Culver’s. They had rented a pirate ship playhouse for the day for the kids to play on. Way fun.

Mad dash to Thane’s third birthday party came next. 24 kids + parents showed up. Thane did great demonstrating all of the gymnastics for everyone and even liked the parachute (which he was not a fan of in previous years). I think everyone enjoyed it…especially when each kid was awarded a medal at the end!

We passed out exhausted Saturday night and only opened presents just before bed time (whose brilliant idea was that?).

Sunday morning we tried to go to the Renaissance Festival but after paying $20 x2 for admission, Mara broke out in an all over body rash and we packed up and went home.

Looking back, I am exhausted even writing this!

Shab, thanks for the pics!!!

My dear, sweet friend, Tom Ballachino passed away two weeks ago. His funeral is this afternoon. He was just 54 years young.

Tom and I met through Becky and endured many American Idol, Lost adventures together. He mocked me for my “pre-call, before the pre-call” work calls. He was my Italian buddy, always sharing his Dean Koontz and Stephanie Plum novels.

He was there when both of my babies were born, even changing his work schedule so he could be in town to meet Mara.

He was funny. He cared. He was probably the most giving person I have known. I am so glad to have spoken to him just a couple of days before he passed.

He will be sorely missed. Love you Tom!!!