Birthday Wish

Tucked Max in to bed tonight in our usual manner.

"Happy birthday early, mom."

"You're the first one to wish me a happy birthday."

Huge smiles from both of us.

Turning 42

Dinner at Blackstone

Pierce has been holding (and knowing) the gift from my parents for a month!

No doubt - I had a great birthday and welcome turning 42 and starting this next trip around the sun! I went to bed with love in my heart and woke to birthday phone calls and text messages making me feel the same. 

Graham was my first message of the day which warmed my heart immensely. I volunteered in Pierce's classroom. I worked out. And all day I treasured gifts and words of love.

The highlights of the day came from 4:45 on with the boys. The boys reminded me last night and tonight that it was my pick for dinner. I smiled deep inside as each of them told me that separately and meant it. What a treat! The great part is they were excited about my choice as they've experienced the mac and cheese but have never been. Dinner at Blackstone was fantastic and included the lighting of cheese for Saganaki (you'll have to find Max's Instagram account to see it). Pierce loved the fact that my mom left my birthday gift with him - to hide and to be the only one who knew what was inside! The boys sang happy birthday to me in the van - unprompted - as we drove to miniature golf. Birthday or not, Max did not let me win. I cheered the boys on in a few games of NHL foosball type play. We may have laughed just a bit during golf and the foosball. We ended with red velvet cake from the Bread Garden thanks to a friend. Yum! Graham put the candles in it in the shape of 42. I was floored when the boys sang to me AGAIN. And they sounded way better than I sound. 

We could not have had more fun together and they were so good to each other and to me. What blessings.

When I tucked Pierce in tonight, I said "thank you for making my birthday special. I had a lot of fun tonight." As his eyes closed, without hesitation he said, "so did I." Yeah, melted my heart.

And then when I rubbed Graham's back - I'd be happy to do that until I'm 72 - and told him good night and thank you, he simply said, "Happy birthday." Heart melt #2.

So the third boy must have gotten the memo, too. When I walked out of Max's room, "I love you, too, mom. Glad you had a good day."

Yep, 42 is going to be okay. I am very blessed.

Blackstone

Miniature Golf - Max didn't even let me win!

Concentration to light the candles in a 4-2 thanks to G!

I'm a lucky girl!

Birthday blessings

As I start another trip around the sun, I am grateful for the wishes I received in many directions (California to Maryland, all the way to Germany), from many mediums (phone, text, mail, drop-ins, Facebook), from many parts of my life (grade school, high school, college, friends of parents), from family and friends. I am blessed not only today but each and everyday. Church, Orange Leaf, games at home, pedicures with girlfriends, family dinner, basketball practice which included the family. A little bit of a lot of things and it all started with the boys and Mitch making a birthday sign and giving me 39 $1 bills and notes for dates with each boy accompanied by amazing handmade cards. Reminds me to take photos of those. My favorite gifts are always homemade and experiences. I'm looking forward to four dates and celebrating with each of them. I'm guessing I'll see a movie, bowl or play basketball and go to the Children's Museum. Those would be in age order - Max, Graham and Pierce. Mitch and I, a quiet night of dinner or something at home! And it ended with hugs and kisses at home. Yeah, I leave 38 with a smile and enter 39 with the same.

Bedrooms, balloons and birthdays

A realization tonight - the three days a year I am most thankful my boys have small bedrooms - their birthdays, when Mitch and I fill the floor with balloons!

Happy birthday (by just s couple minutes) today to my GB!

ONE!

 Graham welcomed one all in smiles. The highlights of his life at one -

> loves to wave and smack his lips; loves Cleo, his big brother and

> taking baths, empties everythign out of cupboards and drawers; hates

> to wear socks or shoes; is great at "helping" to put on his shirt; is

> very vocal with primarily chatter; still has a contagious smile and

> long eye lashes; loves bananas, cheese, pineapples & grapes (really

> anything); is a cuddler & loves to be held; nicknamed G-dog and

> Speedy. Not walking at one but gets around in a monkey like crawl.

> Weighed 24.71 pounds and was 31 inches long. He took his shots like a

> trooper and Dr.

> Jerry found a chipped tooth.

Check actual date this all refers to