Rough Patch

17

Jenna Joseph

Today was the day. Ellie's 6th birthday! I've always been a big party and event planner. I like to see people enjoy themselves because of my set up. I got up extra early to go make Ellie a special breakfast of rainbow pancakes, sausage and eggs. I got up quietly to be sure Tyler wouldn't wake. I slipped on my robe and quietly made my way down stairs. I looked out the window to see the ground covered in a layer of snow. I smiled, it looked beautiful out there. 

I take the griddle out from under the cabinets and plug it in so it could heat up. I start making the pancake batter and I toss in some rainbow sprinkles to make them live up to their name of rainbow pancakes. I put some butter on the griddle and start to ladle out some pancakes. While those were cooking, I warmed up a frying pan and put some oil in it. Once it was heated up I went to the freezer to grab the sausage. I opened up the package and all of a sudden I had the urge to throw up. I ran to the bathroom and puked. Morning sickness. My least favorite part of pregnancy. I didn't have it terribly when I had Ellie so this is kind of new to me. I washed my hands and cleaned myself up before quickly going back to the kitchen and flipping my pancakes and sausage so they wouldn't burn. 

I continue on cooking the breakfast and get it all plated and set out on the table. I was just finishing up the eggs when Tyler came down stairs. 

"Wow. It smells amazing down here." Tyler yawns. 

"Thank you very much. I  made Ellie's favorite. Can you believe she turns 6 years old today?" I sigh.

"Time flies." Tyler takes a seat at the kitchen table and pulls out his phone. "I'm confirming the party location." 

"Perfect. You did the roller rink, right?" I ask.

"Yup. And I also got the extra fun play passes so they can go into the indoor playground too. And I also got each kid 200 arcade tokens." 

"200?! That sure seems like a lot, don't you think?" 

"Oh no. Those tokens go so fast. They'll finish them within 10 minutes." 

"If you say so."

"Would you like me to go get Ellie up?" 

"That would be great, thanks." Tyler gets up and goes upstairs to get Ellie. I finish putting everything out on the table including a big bowl of fruit. I pour all of us glasses of orange juice and get ready for the birthday girl. 

Ellie and Tyler come walking down the steps hand in hand. Ellie had bed head but she looked adorable as always. As soon as she saw the table she got a huge smile on her face. She looked up at Tyler who looked down at her and smiled. She ran to me and gave me a hug and then ran back to Tyler and gave him a hug.

"It's my favorite!" Ellie said in an excited but happy voice.

"Yes it is! Happy birthday, sweetie!" I smile. 

"Happy birthday, El. Your 6 years old! Now you have to use 2 hands to show people how old you are!" Tyler laughs. Ellie sits at the table and grabs her fork and starts to dig in on her meal. She loved rainbow pancakes and she knew it was only made for her on special occasions. I joined my family at the table and ate my pancakes and eggs but not my sausage. I knew if I had sausage I would get sick. 

"No sausage for you?" Tyler asks. 

"Nope. Not feeling it." I reply.

"That's weird. You always have it with your meal." 

"Not today. It doesn't sound appetizing to me." I sigh. Tyler shrugs and continues to dig into his food. 

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I got Ellie all dressed for the day and now we were at the roller rink for her party. She was so excited to be here and she ran inside and found her designated birthday area that was all decorated. There were paper plates and cups at every table with a birthday hat at every spot as well. There was one birthday crown which was obviously for Ellie.

"I get a crown?!" Ellie squealed. 

"Do you want me to help you put it on?" I ask. 

"Yes please!" I grab the crown and slip it onto Ellie's head and made sure it wasn't going to fall off while she skated. 

"You look like a princess!" Tyler complimented.

"Thank you daddy! Do you want to be my prince?"

"I would be honored to be your prince." Tyler picked up Ellie and swung her around while he hummed a song. Ellie giggled and I couldn't help but watch them. I adored to see them act like this with each other. I couldn't wait until there was another one. 

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The guests started arriving and Ellie was having a great time with all her friends. We gave each of them a wrist band and a bag of tokens for the arcade. They all also had roller skates. Ellie wanted to go with her friends to the indoor playground so I went with all of them. They all kicked off their shoes and ran into the playground. I sat at a bench next to it and watched all their shoes and tokens. Tyler came up behind me and sat down. 

"This is a fun place." He says. 

"I'd have to agree. Are you having fun?" I ask.

"You tell me." I look over at Tyler and see him holding up a bunch of arcade tickets.

"You won all that already?" 

"You bet I did. I'm almost done with my 200 tokens." 

"You bought yourself 200 tokens too?"

"No. I bought you and I both 200 tokens." Tyler pulls out a small bag of tokens with my name on it. 

"Your such a child. But so am I. This is going to be the best day ever! Can you watch the kids I'm going to go beat you in how many tickets you currently have." I say and I run off. 

"I doubt that'll happen!" Tyler yells as I run off.