Until we walked past the 3D televisions in John Lewis.

I’d never seen them before, and didn’t even realise they had them on display, so initially my eyes were a bit “what in the actual fuck is going on with that tv.” And looking at Noah and Isaac’s faces, I suspect they were thinking the same thing.

So what do you do?

Well you put the glasses on them so they can experience it properly, of course.

I can’t decide which was best. Isaac wearing the pink glasses, the fact that he plonked himself on the floor, the fact that Noah plonked himself right next to Isaac, or the numerous shoppers passing by, stopping to oooh and ahh at them in glasses 10 sizes too big. Awesome.

People ask me “why do you blog”? Well, first and foremost, my blog is my voice. Without it, I’m in a whooooooooole lot of trouble. I know for a fact that without my little space here on the interwebs, I wouldn’t be alive today. I also wouldn’t have a ton of stories to tell me kiddos as they get older. I also wouldn’t be able to read back on the fucking awesome highs and the desperately hideous lows.

I’ve been through a ton of stuff. Had people throw crap at me here, had people offer all the support in the world here, made friends here, lost friends here, given away a dildo here, saw the creation of a dildo here, birthed 2 bloody large kids here, laughed, cried, ranted, chatted…SO. MUCH. STUFF.

If there’s one thing I’m proud of, is that I tried as much as I could to stay true to myself. I’ve done the odd review here and there, and stayed very honest with them (however I’m done with shit PR requests and have now changed my view on all of that bollocks…).

I’ve travelled to different parts of the world with this blog, taking all 6 of my readers along with me (I assume 6; it could be more. Maybe 9. I’m not sure, I’m not a stats whore I’m afraid) and oh yeah! I’ve refrained from becoming a stats whore. Which weirdly, feels like one of my greatest achievements.

I’ve become part of a team of ladies who help the anonymous blogging “community” (whilst fending off people who feel the need to make a song and dance deal for no reason at all, every time they feature an anonymous post – they {you} know who they {you} are, and dude{s}, I’d rather they {you} just kept their {your} distance to be honest, you know? It’s just creeps me a bit) and Blognonymous has helped a LOT of people find a voice where they were otherwise silenced. I understand the importance of that. SO. Very. Much. Our hearts have always been in the right place.

Shit, I could go on all day about the ton of crap I’ve lived through in this blog. It’s been an absolute hell of a ride, but the biggest and most important thing for me, as I keep saying over and over again, is that my blog IS STILL MY VOICE. I’ve felt censored a few times, for sure. I’ve written posts which have probably rubbed people up the wrong way, unintentionally. Fact is, I’m not here to please everyone. I didn’t sart this blog for other people.

I will continue to write. I’m going through an uncomfortable dry patch, while I try to balance JMP with being a mom of sorts and a wife in a fashion and maintaining bacon consumption. It’s a fucking difficult balance, I have no idea how I’m doing it, and shitting hell things are REALLY rough right now. But it’s ok, because I have my voice. I can still speak. 5 years later, I can still speak. That’s a good thing.

Happy birthday, Voice. Happy birthday, Blog. Been a hell of a journey so far, and still so much further to go, eh?

Still cute though. And that’s just the way I would like to remember Isaac’s 3rd birthday.

Happy Birthday, Little Small. Keep smiling this smile, ok?

~≈~≈~≈~≈~≈~≈~≈~
What is Silent Sunday?

<a href="http://www.mochabeaniemummy.com/silent-sunday/"><img src="http://www.mochabeaniemummy.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Silent-Sunday-Badge-SMALL-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Silent Sunday" /></a>

Me: Isaac, it’s your birthday soon!

Isaac: My birthday!!!!

Noah: Yes! And I think we should get Isaac some presents.

I: My birthday! I think I’ll have CAKE.

N: Mommy, can I get Isaac a present?

MBM: Of course, Noah, what would you like to get him?

N: I think Isaac should have a new cup, a blue one.

MBM: Ok, maybe we could get a blue bowl and plate to match, too? (I had been to Sainsbury’s that morning…)

N: That’s a great idea Mommy, I think we should get him a Thomas the Tank bowl and plate!

MBM: BRILLIANT idea Noah. (The bowl and plate sitting at home waiting to be wrapped up have Thomas the Tank Engine on them. FUCK YEAH.)

After a brief but in-depth discussion of exactly how many days and sleeps there are between today (Thursday) and Isaac’s birthday (Saturday):

N: Isaac, would you like a birthday cake?

I: My birthday! I’m going to have CAKE.

N: Isaac, what cake would you like?

MBM: (Clench – I’ve already bought the cake)

I: LIGHTNING MUCK THE QUEEN!!!!

MBM: (Unclench – miraculously the cake I chose was Lightning McQueen)

N: Can you do that Mommy? Can you do a Lightning McQueen cake?

MBM: Ummm, I’ll have to see what I can do. (Secretly grinning like a smug git.)

N: You need to get some red, Mommy. You need red to make Lightning McQueen cake for Isaac.

I: My birthday! With Lightning McQueen cake?

MBM: I’ll see what I can do, Isaac.

I: And presents! My birthday will have PRESENTS!!

MBM: (I remember the bag full of bits and pieces to make up party bags since we can’t afford a big party) Isaac would you like to take some goodie bags to school with toys and cake for your friends?

I: NO.

MBM: … (Dammit. So close.)