Happy Birthday to Me!

Friday was my birthday. I had to work, but I worked from home and Fridays are generally slow and a shorter day, so it wasn't bad. I started my day with exercise and a healthy breakfast shake (made my Thomas of course). Hopefully, that means getting the year off to a positive start. Each of the kids came downstairs and immediately wished me happy birthday. Except Luke, who came downstairs and said, "Happy Friday!" while giving me a mischievous grin. He asked me if I thought he forgot, then, he wished me a happy birthday too. 

After work, we started on one of my requests--two days of games. I laid out eight games I wanted to play and we got started. First, was Just One. Then, we played an old favorite Scattergories. We have had that game a long time, in fact, it predates the kids. It is fun to go through the box and see the old lists written by family and friends. Some of them I don't recognize and I wish we had people write their names on their papers. Regardless, it was nice to add to the collection.

Then, we went to Culver's for dinner. Following Culver's we had my very delicious, made from scratch by Kara, chocolate birthday cake. 

Then, presents! I know that I am difficult to shop for, I don't try to be, but I can never think of anything I want. I don't collect anything, I don't like clutter and I have everything I need. As my family well knows, my preference is always to spend money on vacations and experiences rather than things. So, I don't make it easy for them. But, they still managed to exceed expectations. Luke made me Mickey and Minnie Mouse out of beads; Jack gave me a coupon for 50 days of assistance in the kitchen, along with a very sweet note; Anna gave a fun watch band,

About a week before my birthday, Kara was asking what I wanted and I told her I wanted one of her famous home-made gifts. She has always made us very creative things, but she told me her crafting days were over. So, I was really glad that she hasn't lost her touch. She is way more creative than I have ever been. My mom was very creative and Kara is named after her, so I like to think she inherited the gene. She said this was the last time. I really hope not!

Thomas and I are going to a dinner at the Titanic Museum next week and he also got me a gift that is coming in the mail today (always fun when a birthday can extend over multiple days!). And, he has been celebrating my birthday all week--we went out to lunch at my chosen restaurants, he cooked dinners, and basically just catered to whatever I wanted all week. I was definitely well-celebrated!

After dinner, Anna and I went for a walk and then we all played game #3, Clue. And, in what can only be described as a birthday miracle--I won! The kids have demanded a rematch.

Anna and Kara liked posing the pieces.

It was one of my favorite birthdays! I really appreciated my gifts and Thomas and the kids were so kind and thoughtful all day. I felt loved and appreciated and special. There were lots of hugs and no one complained when they saw all the games I had planned for them. I also had calls, texts, emails, Facebook messages, etc., from friends and family, which was nice. When we went to bed, I told Thomas that I wished every day could be my birthday :)

So, happy birthday to me! Today, the boys have basketball and we will play more games. Then, tomorrow we get to celebrate Thomas. July is an amazing month!

Last bonus pictures, the girls both did Instagram "stories":

Anna's First Competition & Visitors

Anna competed in her first ice-skating competition on Thursday. It was a bit of a roller-coaster. We really like her coach, but also really like her learn-to-skate instructor. Her instructor is a bit tougher on Anna and more hands-on with showing moves; we asked her to do a couple of lessons with Anna before the competition. And, she was concerned about the category Anna was registered in. She called Anna's coach and we got her category switched. But, it meant we had to go on Thursday morning instead of Saturday. This was on Monday. Thomas was participating in a hearing that he could not reschedule. So, it was me and Anna. Jack thought about going, but when he heard we were leaving at 6am, he decided to watch the live-stream. Kara was planning on it, but her alarm didn't go off and we didn't wake her up. She had been out late the night before (more on that later) so we thought she had changed her mind about going. She was very upset and called us at 6:30am asking why we left without her.

Anyway, the competition was in Clearwater, about 2 hours away. We left at 6 and got there around 8:15. They had groups A and B for the categories and Anna was in High Beginners, Group B. We watched some of Group A and some of the Beginners. They all looked amazing! The beginners were way more advanced than I expected. Anna's group went at 9:30. The rest of the family was able to watch the live-stream. Anna worked hard on her routine, but came in 7th out of 7. She was disappointed that her score wasn't higher. But, she enjoyed the experience.

We left Clearwater around 1045 and I realized we would be passing through Lakeland at lunchtime. I hadn't made any plans with my dad because I had no idea how long the competition would take or how long Anna would want to stay and watch. But, it was perfect timing and I called to see if he wanted to have lunch. He invited us to join him in his community's dining room. My sister was also joining him, and it was great to be able to see both of them. We had a good visit and Anna was impressed with my dad's lunch friends. They are a really fun group and we enjoyed their banter and chitchat. We got home around 3:30. That night, Thomas took everyone to Chick-Fil-A to celebrate Anna's first competition. I wasn't feeling well (not sure why, but I was really dizzy) so I stayed home.

It had been a long, busy week. Kara's Maryland BFF, Ashley was in Orlando for a dance competition and invited Kara to spend time with her. On Monday, we dropped her off early for Magic Kingdom. Anna and I met them after work and we didn't get home until 10:40. Tuesday, we did the same thing with Islands of Adventure, except I also had to leave work early for a last-minute ice-skating lesson. So, it was work, then skating, then straight to Universal. Wednesday, I went into the office, Kara went to the dance competition, and Thomas took Anna skating. Kara didn't get home until 11:30 (after the competition, they went to City Walk, which is why we thought she wasn't going with us Thursday). Thursday, we got up around 5 for Anna's competition. So, I was really looking forward to sleeping in on Friday morning. Then, at 4:50, an electric toothbrush in our bathroom randomly started buzzing, waking both Thomas and I up and I never fell back asleep! Ugh, maybe tonight is the night I can get a full 8 hours (I'd settle for 6 at this point!). Anyway, Thomas and I were both still working all week, with a 6 start time, so it was a crazy, crazy week and I am glad it is over!

We stopped at the gas station right outside Magic Kingdom and had a good fireworks view.

It was nice to spend time with Ashely, Lori (Ashley's mom), and Tyler (her brother). Ashley and Kara were in the same class all 5 years together in Maryland, and it was great to see them together again.

I think this was first grade.

Now

In other news, Luke went to YMCA camp this week and was awarded Camper of the Week! Today, we went to Animal Kingdom, but it was really hot and crowded and we didn't last long.

Photo summary of a few other recent happenings:

We went to Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios on June 30th. 

We had the Mottas over to celebrate Amanda's graduation from high school.

Luke was tired one afternoon and decided he needed to float.

Some Independence Day sparkler fun.