My birthday was a Good time

I like to consider the entire week surrounding my birthday as my birthday week. Luckily, my husband knows that. Not that each day much be overly celebrated, but it is noted. Well, maybe just the day before and the day after. The day before, I was just hangin' out with my family around dinner time and my friend Jessica called to say she made me a birthday treat. How nice, thought I. She then said she wanted to bring it over to me, but her husband was out of town and her baby already asleep. It was cooling, and maybe can I swing over to get it in a little while. Interesting. Why doesn't she just bring it to me tomorrow...on my birthday? I said I'd call after a while because we were doing family home evening and working on the bathroom, etc. She said to bring the fam and eat it at her house. I thought. Hmmm, how fun will that be for my fam with her husband gone and child asleep? I'll call you in a bit, I said. That was 6:30. I told Michael and he said, "yeah, lets go!" To which I thought odd. He doesn't usually want to go, he'd rather stay home. Besides, the bathroom situation. So I texted her and said we'd come, but she said to wait about 20 minutes b/c a guy was at her house working on the hail damage. Good one, Jess. Well, we all hopped in the car and Michael said we could kill time by looking for houses for sale. I then saw my friend Tamiel driving an interesting direction. Not one she might normally travel, perhaps? I kept my thoughts to myself. When we pulled up to Jessica's house, I wanted to carry the baby--just in case people would be inside staring at me. I tried to chase that silly thought away, but just mayyybe. Michael took away my security blanket (baby) and we knocked the door. Jessica opend with a smile, led me to her kitchen, where SURPRISE, some of my dearest friends jumped out. Uh huh, interesting indeed. Michael planned to take all kids (including baby) but I said I'd keep her. Shoulda had a binky. Oh well.

Left to Right: Stacy, Jessica, Emily, Cali, Me, Michael, Liz, Becca, baby Kemp, Tamiel, Debra, Jana These are my friends that Jessica invited (per my hubby's suggestions). The same group that planned to do a surprise baby shower for me (I kept saying I didn't need one) but I ended up having Cali the day before they meant to surprise me (and I was informed later).

Below is Tamiel and Kemp. We were due date friends, just a day apart. They ended up being born 2 weeks apart. We've decided her boy and my girl are betrothed. Liz is on the other side.
I like to include blob like pictures of my post baby self to provide incentive to run run run it all off. Below: Stacy, Emily, Michael O., Becca
I like cheesecake. Luckily I got my haircut that day and it was nicely straightened. I might have chosen another outfit had I known people would be jumping out at me.

It was a fun evening chatting with friends. Cali had some sad moments, but my dear friends took their turns holding her and doing their best to calm her (I even fed her there) so I could enjoy the evening. I love food and friends. What could be better?

I came home with balloons and presents and treats. Kids were in bed, I told Michael all about it. I was up late working on my birthday post (all those baby pics below) and woke up before Michael left for work so my kids could give me their present. Cards from each of them (see the baby in the bassinet next to me). This was so cute. The day before, I ran errands with the kids and showed Tyler some plates I thought were cute. Didn't think anything of it, but he told Michael thats what he wanted to get me for my birthday. He thought they were at Wal Mart, so while I was at my party, Michael took them to 2 Wal Marts before Tyler thought it might be at Target. I couldn't believe he remembered I said that (it was really a passing comment) and they got it for me! I love them!

Michael left, I went back to sleep, and the kids had a little cartoon time. My friend Jessica took me to breakfast, and our kids came with us.

I love this pic I snapped of she and her little guy.
I have a weird face, but here I am with my chiclets.
We went to Crate and Barrel, and they found some fun toys. I got a wicker magazine basket to hold piano books by the piano. Also a clippy thing to clip a pot to hold your stirring spoon.
Cali gave us some smiles. Love that!
We then went to Target where I got each of my kids a toy of their choosing (under $10). Alyssa chose this Fancy Nancy puzzle, and the boys got a Star Wars Lego set. I like to get them presents on my birthday.
We then came home and I read my Facebook birthday wishes while Cali slept on my lap.
Some of my loot. It's a tradition in my family to gather gifts on birthdays and Christmas. I like it, helps me remember what I got, when.
Alyssa likes to take pictures of herself with my camera.
Michael came home an hour early (hooray) and we went out to eat at Macaronni Grill.

I got a free dessert of my choosing (nice). Cali was thrilled.
Came home, the kids played in the boxes from the new chairs we got.
Happiness
I then opened a few packages I got in the mail. This is from Natalie. My dear friend in Dallas. I loved the box.
A handtowel and gift card to Old Navy from Michael's parents
The jewels Natalie sent me--so pretty.
The pretty wrapping/card from my sis in law, Jen in Virginia.
It is a wallet that unzips to be a mesh hot pink bag.
Weird face. I like weird faces.


The next day I got this pretty package in the mail. Emily does a good job of making things pretty.

This is what was inside. Love the colors, and filled with candies and interesting reading paraphenelia.

I felt the love all around. Michael's gift to me what per my request, a fondant cake decorating class. It happened on Saturday the 11th. 3 hours and I made this cake. It was a lot of fun, now I'm ready to create my own! Not fond of the seashell theme, but I didn't have a choice.



The kids thought it was cool to knock on it.
Phew--are you tired? I am. It's 12:50am, and I've been perusing Facebook finding Jr. High friends from Louisiana. Goodnight. Farewell, birthday week.