29 Again?!?

On the 19th I had the great pleasure of being reminded of my mortality all day long by "celebrating" my birthday. Just kidding, getting older doesn't bother me. That much.

The day started off awesome. I got to sleep in and Rick and Gwen made me breakfast in bed, which we eventually moved down to the kitchen table. I reluctantly posed for a photo in my jammies and my bed head.

My mom drove up from Renton to take me to lunch- although I forgot to take a photo. Rick watched the girls at work while my mom and dined at the Spaghetti Factory. Gwen loved talking to his coworkers and he said Fiona was content to lay on a blanket on the floor while he got some things done.

Gwen could hardly wait for me to open my presents which she helped Daddy and buy and wrap.

She also was very eager to eat the cupcakes which she also helped make.

Gwen got me a Rachel Ray magazine, which she picked out herself. When I opened it, she excitedly said, "Mom! You like her!" I've never watched her show, but Gwen must have noticed a couple of the magazines laying around the house.

They also got me Twinkies. They are a major weakness for me.

They also got me a "day out" by myself. It entailed an In Spa gift card as well as coupons for Cold Stone and a restaurant so that I can stay out all day and not go hungry. Rick even said they would meet me somewhere so that I can feed the baby and continue my day out. How sweet!

We had originally thought about going out to dinner for my birthday, but I decided that eating out is sometimes more trouble that it is worth with a baby and a preschooler in tow. Instead, we planned a scrumptious meal at home knowing that it probably be much more relaxing, and just as yummy- or better! It worked out great!

We had crab legs, crusty french bread dipped in olive oil and vinegar, steamed artichokes, and rib eye steaks. Oh boy was I in heaven. I took my time and didn't worry about making a mess. I even wore my ridiculous looking smock to catch spills...

The view from my seat...

Gwen loved the soda most of all...

Fiona was happy as can be in her exersaucer. I am so glad we didn't drag her to a restaurant....

Although we stuffed ourselves at dinner, there was somehow still room for dessert...

After dessert, we put the girls right to bed and enjoyed cuddling on the couch and watching a movie. We rented "My Sisters Keeper". It was a great movie, but really, really sad- especially if you have little girls. It really leaves you with the desire to hold on to what you have a little tighter. When we went to bed that night, Rick insisted that we get Gwen and have her sleep with us that night. So cute.

I'm so lucky to have family and friends that make sure my birthday was so great. Now if I could just work out the aging thing, then my birthday would be pretty much perfect!