my Birthday

I probably would have opted out of writing about my own birthday, but as payback would have it, Matt insisted that the camera needed to be pulled out as I leaned over my own candles. And, it also turns out that the day was filled with sweet memories that I simply want to remember.

Gotta love when a birthday means:

• The oldest girl keeping her word that she'd serve breakfast in bed. Toast (cold when the butter was spread), an apple, and a huge cup full of fridge-water!
• Presents decorated and opened with the eager assistance of each giver before Meg headed off for school.
• A self-planned break at the salon. Chopping my hair was long overdue and enjoyed (should have included bobby pins in the deal).
• Many well wishes via Facebook. Normally would feel very impersonal, but gave me a minute to reflect on some great people as I responded to each individually.
• Lunch fries delivered by a sister. Felt bad I was running late, but still enjoyed a good visit.
• A thoughtful friend willing to drop by whatever favorite dessert I wanted. Something including chocolate, of course!
• Kind sister and sister-in-law each willing to watch my kids.
• Attending an assembly at the school for Meg. Grabbing her hand and remembering that supporting her is a big reason I was born (more to come on that).
• Shuttling the girls (one of which just barely missed getting hit in the parking lot! argh!) back from swimming, to pull up and see Matt holding a HUGE "Happy Birthday" sign at the driveway. The visual of him home/showered/standing behind a sign he'd painted with black plumbers glue is something I won't forget!!
• Another unexpected gift from Matt - unprompted, soon to be used, symphony tickets! Ah!
• Parents delivering hot pizza on the doorstep, and a generous gift of goodies.
• Meg taking charge of the candles and meticulously lining the white sticks in the form of a 3 and a 1. Had to smile that the 1 came first, making 13 rather than 31!
• Three grubby kids hovering closely over my flames. Had to light them a few times before Tyler waited until the end of the melody to blow!
• And, the one thing I really was planning as my "birthday gift." After the kids were in bed - a soak in the ready-to-go new bathtub! Yep. Another bit of bliss to end a good day!