28

Turns out... I had a birthday.  And, I have to say that it has been the best birthday I've had for quite some time.  I know that we don't usually do big things for birthdays but I really appreciated the fact that Norah didn't get up at 5 am (like she was acting like she was going too) and that I didn't get pooped, peed or puked on (the worst P's ever).  Now... one might say that I'm a little weird for thinking that, but for the past handful of years I have either been pregnant or with small babe, in which the probability of those 3 P's increases exponentially.

My sewing machine!

The handprints that the kids made with Kim :)

I had already received my birthday gift a few months back (if you recall the Mom necklace with the kids letters on them) and I have been loving wearing it ever since... I don't get to wear it as often as I would like, in fear that Norah will rip it off, but when I do, I get lots of compliments. (Incidentally, from other Mom's... haha.)

My sweet birthday wake up

This birthday started off at a reasonable hour and my sweet neighbor brought over the gift she and the kids had been working on first thing in the morning.  And, of course, it melted this Momma's heart that they would think of doing something for me and it was homemade.  Then they stayed for pancake breakfast (per Dude's request, because, you know, they get to pick what we eat on my birthday ;)  which was a lot of fun.  Kim kept saying that the birthday girl shouldn't have to cook, but this is what I enjoy doing.  I enjoy having people over, I enjoy cooking for them, and I enjoy the company that sharing a meal together brings.  After that, we went to Bounceland (yup, another thing for the kiddos haha) and they had a blast.  It was nice to let them run around and be crazy, and while they did that I got a chance to just chat with Kim.  You know, adult style ;)












After we had been there for awhile we decided to head home and get some lunch and then spur of the moment we decided to go to Grandma and Don's.  The cousins were going to be spending the night elsewhere so we would have space to sleep and the kids had been asking if we could for a little bit, so we thought that it was a perfect time.  So, we packed everything up and headed to my parents.  It's always nice while we're there because it's a bit of a break for us because they are occupied with Grandma and Don :)  My parents got dinner for us so I didn't have to worry about cooking (because, honestly, I was pretty tired out from the morning's activities) which is always a welcomed gesture.  I know I just said that I enjoy cooking, and don't get me wrong I really do, but I also enjoy the occasional dinner being bought for you.

I was a little hesitant about spending the night since Norah is a moving machine (she looks like a bull... just puts her head down and crawls over anything... and if it didn't get out of the way, she just plows into it and eventually, it will move) because she has never slept in her pack n play... and if she was anything like her siblings (which she is) she was going to hate it.  I wasn't really looking forward to a night of no sleep but it was good for everybody to be together.  HOWEVER, I think we tired Miss Norah out so much she didn't care where she was sleeping, and she ended up doing really really well.  I even got to get my run in on my parents treadmill before we played Cranium with my Dad and sister.  It was awesome.  I haven't laughed so hard in awhile and spending QT with my sister (sans kids) is a rare and special treat.

Everybody who wished me happy birthday, "thank you!"  It was a full day of fun, friends, and family (the better 3 F's... haha) The kids were so sweet throughout the day too, because they kept wishing me Happy birthday and telling others that it was my special day.  It was a great precursor into a day that is meant to remind us what we are Thankful for.

JVG