I wanted to include this with CB’s birthday post, but I was having some technical issues. I had to include it here. Besides, it’s obvious my crowd is more into the videos than reading.

For any of you who don’t know, Chuck E. Cheese has a dance floor, complete with a big screen, where the kids can perform. For the most part, it was a lot of kids wandering up there, a few embarrassed giggles, and then a quick exit. CB kept waiting for the stage to clear. For what, I didn’t know. Turns out, she’s quite the dancer. Don’t know where she gets this.

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Love the audience reaction. Sweet hat.

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I miss Texas.  I think that’s what it really comes down to.  Al and I were commiserating our current locale the other night.  Wondering how we got here, and more importantly, how do we get out.  It’s getting out of hand.  CB used to notice things when we first moved to this foreign soil, but now if she sees a woman without one arm covered in ink and the other arm around her domestic partner, she starts to wonder what’s wrong.

Of all the things that really bother me, I’d have to say one of the worst is…the bus.

If any of you haven’t noticed, gas is somewhere north of $14 a gallon, so I’ve been taking the bus into work.  The problem is, so is everyone else.  How to describe this torture on wheels…

It’s a perfect ride, if you’re no more than 5’2″ and extremely flexible.  If, on the other hand, you’re 6’2″…good luck.  On that note, a heartfelt thank you to the old hag who sat in front of me on the way home Friday afternoon.  I can’t get both legs in front of me as is, and generally have to angle out in to the aisle with one leg sticking out.  This woman sits in front of me, sees that there is no room to spare, and then drops the reclining seat back squarely into my knee.  She had zero clearance.  She rocks the seat back into my knee, and just keeps on trying to come back.  When she won’t quit I “accidentally” kick the seat.  She turns around and gives me a rather stern look, and I asked her if wouldn’t be easier if she just sat in my lap.  My fellow riders enjoyed my suggestion…she didn’t.

Some other favorites:

The dude with the rubix cube.  Seriously, where did you get that thing? Can’t be original.  And by the way, mix in a bath once in a while along with the vintage collectibles…you could use it.

Mr. Snores.  Large fellow.  Takes up much more than his share of the seat.  Apparently the nascar maneuvers of the driver don’t effect him much as he sleeps soundly throughout the trip.  The only times he wakes up is when he snores so loud that he chokes himself awake.  Yeah, either that or when he breaks wind loudly enough to overpower his own nasal cavity.

Cell phone lady – We don’t care.  Really.  And you don’t have to scream repeatedly that “you’re on the bus and you’ll have to call them back”  only to follow that up with another half hour of yelling that “You’ll have to speak up.  I can’t hear you because of the guy behind me snoring.”  I don’t know which one of you I like least.

Mr. Computer guy – He does something with computers downtown.  I’ve heard.  But no matter how cool you techie people think you are – mix in a pair of shoes.  Dude gets on the bus barefoot, carrying his shoes – and apparently he’s not big on socks either.  I’ll admit, I’ve been rushed on Monday mornings and gotten on the bus carrying a tie, but I’ve yet to get on without shoes and then spend the next fifteen minutes digging between my toes for…never mind, I don’t want to continue that train.

Chatty-Cathy – I have headphones in, and a book in front of my face, and my eyes are shut.  In addition, I know that gas is expensive, and that it’s hot, and that it’s Tuesday.  Leave me alone.

The homeless dude that got on the bus with a clear plastic bag that had all his belongings.  I used to do mental commitments in a previous life – I know were those bags come from.  He also had enough dried blood on his hands and arms that made me wonder if anyone he’d encountered in the last month was still alive.  The best part?  There was some serious debate about whether he should be allowed on…he was.

The drivers – what a fine crew.  If you do manage to get it up to 70 the best thing to do is immediately lock on the brakes for no apparent reason.  There’s a good 2 feet between my face and the seat back in front of me – I like to see how fast I can close that distance – it’s a hobby.

I love it when the drivers are trash talking other large trucks on the road.  Cement trucks are a favorite.

“Oh no he didn’t pull out in front of me.  Come on over #$@@#!^!    Pull that @#$#T*! in my lane again and see what don’t happen.”

I guess I should cut them some slack, after all it’s not like they don’t get lost.  Repeatedly, on an almost daily basis.

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Not to be outdone by Big Sis’s celebration, MK had plans of her own for her birthday.

The day started early with some presents, specifically, a changing table.  Seriously, I’ve bemoaned the fact before, but our girls get the worst presents ever.  A Changing Table?  And the worst part of it, the girls loved it.  It was nothing but a non stop brawl for position at this thing.  Change the baby, feed the baby, bathe the baby.  You get the point. How could this be that much fun?

Big sis directing traffic.

With MK being such a fan of movies, and popcorn, her birthday choice was easy…

Kung Fu Panda.  A huge hit with everyone.  Especially Dad.

The one drawback was the stadium seating.  They need a weight limit on these things.  As in below 40 lbs, you might have some issues.

Birthday girl displaying some moves she picked up from the flick.  I know I’ve gone on some movie rants on the blog before, but Kung Fu Panda was not only the best animated movie I’ve seen in some time, it was probably the best movie I’ve seen this year.  One caveat, it probably helps if you’re a Jack Black Fan.  I am, and this was a perfect vehicle for him.  Hilarious.

Some fun after the show.  Miss MK’s favorite pizza place is Ruddino’s.  Conveniently located just outside the theatre.  The girl can plan a day.

I don’t know if it has more to do with the pizza, or the surroundings, but either way it was a great lunch.

And now, for the highlights.  MK has an abnormal fixation with Dora.  Quite possibly, the most annoying cartoon around. I hear that this is just a stage for 2 year olds.  I’m praying it is.

Mommy came through like a pro.  Her Dora creation received high marks from the judges.

I don’t know if it was just the excitement of the big day, or some prodding from big sis.  But MK felt she needed to dress things up a bit.

Like any good diva, MK knows it’s all about the shoes.

The shoes, and the hat.  MK has no problem rocking the summer lid.

Or the tiara.  Now, if we could just mix a shirt or two into the style.

For the big finale we headed to Crystal Falls golf course for the big Leander 4th of July Celebration.

Can’t have a 4th celebration without glo-sticks.  CB found out the hard way that however cool the glo-sticks are, if you mess with them long enough, they will break, and leak.  MK didn’t mind.  In fact, she thought that CB’s glow in the dark skirt was pretty sweet.

While the pics can’t do it justice, I will have to admit that we were seriously impressed with the fireworks. We’ve tried to go into Austin for the 4th before, and it’s such a hassle.  We decided this year to stay in Leander, and we weren’t expecting much.

We couldn’t have been more wrong.  The fireworks show was a half hour of non-stop explosions.  Better than anything we had seen in the past.

Now, we’ve just got to convince MK that the entire show wasn’t just for her.  Or maybe not.

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When we last left our CB, she was celebrating her fifth birthday.  This time we pick up…at her fifth birthday. I don’t want to say it was getting out of hand, but CB refused to answer to anything other than “Birthday Girl”  At least she was polite.  She just informed us in the morning that we could go ahead and call her “Birthday Girl” for the rest of the week.

Splash Pad Party.  Hangin out with her girls.

And, of course, continuing with the Princess Theme.

Couple of blue-eyed, blonde haired girls enjoying the action

Just me, or is little sis trying to squeeze in on the action?

While there are tons more pics, I think we’ve had enough birthday celebration for some time.  Until next year, when CB has reserved the month of June for her celebration.

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When you’re a princess everything is twice as nice.  Only CB could figure out a way to squeeze in two birthdays.

The first?  We were in Longview for a wedding, and it was CB’s idea that since Nana and PaPa were there, it would be best to go ahead and celebrate with them.  Can’t argue with that.  The Location?

Chuck E. Cheese.  Once again, CB’s idea.

I can’t put it all off on the girl…she had some help.

Little sis wasn’t complaining.  Except when it came to Chuck.  Not a big fan.  I know I heard rat come across her lips more than once.

Did you expect something else?

All in all, a great day,  Because, you have to remember, when you head to Chuck’s place for a birthday…it’s all about the kids.

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