Life with Dylan

Category: Birthday

  • Happy Birthday Dylan … Enjoy your pet tiger!

    Wow, I still can’t believe that my little boy is 10 years old today. It seems like just yesterday he was a toddler asking me to hold him up so he could see the animals over the railing. Asking me to read him the signs at the zoo and tell him about the animals. “Are the vulnerable or endangered Mommy?”  That was his favorite question to ask and the first thing he learned about all the animals.

    Now he is the one teaching me about animals and surprising me every day with his continued love for animals and conservation.

    I’m not sure where I would be without this little guy. He changed my world forever when he was born and every day has been an adventure ever since.

    So what do you get a kid like Dylan for his birthday?

    The kid who last year wanted nothing but to raise money for the tigers at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Helping build a new home called Tiger Trail was all he asked for.

    A kitty that looks like a tiger of course!

    Thanks to my friend Heather, who posted an adorable picture of a rescued kitty on Instagram a few weeks ago, our family has grown.

    This adorable 10 week old kitty stole our hearts the minute she arrived today.

    Oh, and Dylan named her Tiga too! In honor of the new female tiger at the San Diego Zoo.

    Happy Birthday Dylan!

  • A birthday letter to my son

    Dear Dylan,

    Nine years ago today I gave birth to the most wonderful child I could ever imagine. He was perfect in every possible way. That child was you. You have made me a better person and bring so much joy to my life. You continue to amaze me with your knowledge about animals and compassion for others. Sometimes I wonder if I’m talking to a child or an adult. Even though I often tell you to be quiet (because you talk non-stop), I love listening to you tell me about what you have learned.

    You have already done some pretty great things, including raising over $1,000 for the tigers, and I can’t wait to see what you do next. I just know that you are going to grow up and become something truly special. You have and you will continue to make a difference in the world.

    As much as I would like to keep you small and miss the days when I could hold you in my arms, I know that you are growing up. I no longer have to lift you up to see over the railing or hold you on my shoulders. I don’t have to tell you to hold my hand anymore, but I sure do like it when you reach for mine. You see Dylan, this tells me that in some small way you are still my little boy.

    And when you act silly or climb on animals statues begging for me to take your picture … well, this reminds me that you are still a kid too … at least a kid at heart.

    Happy Birthday Dylan!

    Love,
    Mom

  • Birthday wishes really do come true

    Tomorrow is Dylan’s 9th birthday and all he wanted for his birthday was to raise $1,000 for the tigers at San Diego Zoo Safari Park. He wanted to help save the species from extinction and build a new home for them called Tiger Trail.

    As you probably know, Dylan had various fundraisers, recycled cans and bottles, saved all of his allowance money, and many people donated money in his name. Some people I know and some who donated are complete strangers who found Dylan’s story and donated through social media links.

    I am very happy to report that as of today Dylan has raised $1,317 for Tiger Trail.

    (and that’s not including birthday money that I know is coming in the mail still from family)

    Tomorrow we will be spending the day at the Safari Park and meeting some big cats, including the tigers, up close on a Behind the Scenes Safari Tour that we won from the Pin It For Tigers contest last month.  The perfect birthday as far as Dylan is concerned.

    Although Dylan has met his goal, the tigers still need our help. For the Safari Park to receive the anonymous donation of $9 million, they must raise $2 million on their own.

    This is a screen shot from the Safari Parks website showing how much they have raised so far. As you can see, they are almost halfway there.

    Whether you make a donation in Dylan’s name or just go to the Tiger Trail Challenge website makes no difference to me. What matters is that you donate. For every $2 that is donated, the park receives $9 – which means Dylan’s $1,217 is actually $5,476. That is pretty amazing if you ask me.

    The Safari Park has until December 31, 2012 to meet the $2 million goal.

    Dylan and I will continue to send money because this is something that we both believe in.
    For all of you who donated in Dylan’s name and  helped make his birthday wish come true …

    THANK YOU!



  • Planning a birthday party? Who doesn’t love cotton candy?

    Cookies, cake, ice cream, candy … sure these all make wonderful treats for a birthday party, but are they ordinary? Dylan’s birthday is coming up in July and once again, I have the daunting task pleasure of planning a party. Something that will wow my child and make him feel like the most special kid in the world. That’s what we do right? As parents we tend to spend obscene amounts of time and money to make a child’s birthday party better than the one we threw the year before. Right? You know this sounds familiar to you. 

    Last month I attended a Birthday Party Bootcamp – How to Plan and Host the Perfect Birthday Party at the OC Mart Mix and was pleasantly surprised at what I discovered. Pink, fluffy, sugary cotton candy – 
    Yes, that’s what I remembered from my childhood. What child wouldn’t love cotton candy at their birthday party? So although my son is still undecided on where his party will take place, I have finalized the sweet sugary goodness that will fill the kids tummies. 
    Dolly’s Sweet Dreams Cotton Candy is the cutest concept for any party or special event when you want to make people smile. The owner, Krista Thompson, is as sweet as can be and just look at the pink cart – adorable!
    Dolly’s Sweet Dreams Cotton Candy offers nine classic cotton candy flavors and seven organic flavors, surely I can find a color/flavor to match the theme of Dylan’s party. Plus, Krista will create custom labels for my event if I choose to have to-go tubs.  
    There is something about cotton candy that simply makes me giddy – like a kid again. I think I need to come up with a reason to have a party before my son’s birthday in July just so I can have more of Dolly’s Sweet Dream Cotton Candy!
    Be sure to visit DollysCottonCandy.com for more details on how you can book an event and “like” Dolly’s on Facebook to see the latest pictures from parties where fluffy cotton candy has created smiles on the faces of children (and adults too). 

  • Grandma’s 90th Birthday!

    Last week was my Grandma’s 90th birthday and the entire family got together on Sunday to celebrate this milestone in her life … Italian style! The family took over a back room at Lascari’s Restaurant in Whittier. We may be a wacky bunch, but we know how to eat and laugh and we know the meaning of family!

    The food was amazing, but I would expect nothing less!

    gnocchi with brown butter and garlic

    lasagna, just like Grandma makes

    cheese ravioli

    Aside from the food, we were here to celebrate a birthday. The woman who raised me because my mom worked full-time and was a single mother … much like me now … has spent 90 years on this planet. Ironic how history repeats itself. I hope Dylan has a bond as strong as I do with my Grandma with my Mom when he is older.

    (more…)

  • Another Successful Baking Project

    What’s more fun than making a cake for your child’s birthday? Not much, but making these cakes and cupcakes for my friend Roxanne’s son Sam was a blast! Sure the baking insanity took over my life for two nights and the 30 minute car ride to the party was filled with anxiety that the cake would be destroyed … but his smile when he said “Light-neen M-keen” and “May-ter” was so worth it all.

    Photos courtesy of Roxanne Hack.

  • Good-bye Summer, Until We Meet Again …

    I can’t believe summer is over and my little boy will be starting 3rd grade in just two days. Where did the time go?
    It seems like the older I get, the faster the years go by … and the more I wish I could freeze time. My cuddly little boy is growing up so fast.

    As I look at school pictures from the past 3 years, my mind is flooded with memories and my heart is filled with love. Through pictures like these, I can freeze time … at least in my mind.

    (more…)

  • Dylan’s Lego Birthday – Part 2

    One birthday party down and another to one to go. Well, this wasn’t really a party … more of a celebration.

    Ever since Dylan received a certificate from his school for a free kids meal at Joe’s Crab Shack he has been asking to go there for dinner. What better time to go than for his birthday?

    Nothing fancy. Just Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Steph and us.

    I was amazed at the amount of food this 8 year old could put away! Give him some fresh seafood and he is in heaven.  Calamari, shrimp, and of course crab!

    The best part of the birthday celebration was when it was time for the staff of Joe’s Crab Shack to embarrass, or should I say recognize, the birthday boy! The announcement was made to everyone that someone was having a birthday and this is what happened next.

    Huge foam cowboy hat about 5 sizes too big!

    Must stand on his chair.

    Staff singing him the “short” birthday song

    And he loved every minute of it!

    Once dinner was finished we headed off to Grandma and Grandpa’s house for presents and ice cream cake.

    What? Another LEGO?

    … and a LEGO watch?

    I still can’t believe my little boy is 8 years old. Where does the time go?

  • Dylan’s Lego Birthday – Part 1

    Last week was Dylan’s 8th birthday and the festivities seemed to go on forever. Maybe that is why I kept putting off writing this blog post. Or maybe it is because I was hoping for something a little more exciting to write about. So much time and preparation went into planning Dylan’s LEGO Birthday party. Everything he wanted, I somehow managed to make happen. The only thing I couldn’t do was make people show up!

    Yes, I said it, people didn’t show up to his party. I wonder what posses a parent to RSVP with a yes and confirm via email only days before the party and then not show up. No call, no email, no text … nothing. Only three kids showed up and two of them were twins, so that doesn’t really count. So basically, two people showed up out of the seven who said they would be here. Well, we made the best of it and still had fun!

    The living room was transformed into a Lego-wonderland and the kids had time to build whatever they wanted. Some of the creations were great! We even had a jar filled with Lego’s and the person who guessed the closest to how many Lego’s were in it won a prize. I knew there was a good reason for Dylan to own so many Lego’s.

    Next we played Lego Bingo with a great template I found  from Amy at LivingLocurto.com The kids loved this game so much that we played three times! Since all the kids didn’t show up, I had extra prizes to give away … see I found one positive already!



    Using Lego mini kits we also had races to see who could build the kit the fastest. However, I was so busy watching the kids that I forgot to take pictures of this. Oops!

    Mini Corn Dogs, Cheese Balls, and Fresh Fruit
    Cake designed by Dylan – Made by Mom

    All in all, the kids had a good time. The birthday kit from the Lego Store was huge hit with kids too!

    I guess the mom in me just feels bad that my son couldn’t have had a better party. The party that he had dreamed about.

    Is there something wrong with home birthday parties? Do parents only want to go if the party is at a pool or a bounce house like Jump ‘n Jammin? Do I need to pay hundreds of dollars on a game truck and invite 30 people to get kids to come to my son’s birthday party? A birthday party is not a place to drop off all your kids (siblings included) so you can have the day to yourself. A birthday party is for the birthday child and his or her friends.

    I would love to hear your thoughts on this!

  • A Mother’s Love

    Eight years ago today, at 12:10 am, I gave birth to the most beautiful 8 lb. 6 oz. 20 1/2 inches long baby boy.

    When I heard your first cry, when I held you in my arms, when I saw your face …
    Nothing else mattered.

    “It was the middle of the night and I had been awake for over 24 hours … but we were finally alone … just me and my son. All I could do was gaze at you in pure amazement. So this is the little guy who has been kicking me and pushing on my bladder. For months now I have imagined you smiling your Mommy’s smile, gazing at me with eyes like mine. As I held you in my arms I saw that you were more perfect than anything I had ever imagined! I want to be the one to nourish you, protect you, comfort you. I want to make your world a beautiful place just like you have for me.” – from Dylan’s Baby Book

    Nothing can break the bond of a Mother’s love … it only gets stronger with each passing day.

    Happy Birthday my sweet boy. You have given me the best 8 years of my life.

    I love you.