Birthday Weekend

As my birthday comes to a close, I sit here and reflect on the fun (and some not so fun) times I had this weekend.

The weekend started off nice in the fact that Chris' off Friday was this weekend - hooray, 3 days with all of my boys together! We took the boys to a park around lunchtime, bought Chris' new grill, and swam in the pool.

Saturday saw us head down to my parents' house for a birthday celebration. Lori and Kelsey came over for the fun as well (Lou was up in Gainesville for his MBA class). We went out on the boat, swam, the boys went on the jetski with Grampa, and then played in the "beach" on the river looking for seashells. My mom made Chicken Divan (yummy!), and Vidalia Onion Casserole (another yum!). Brian and Sean had helped Gramma make ice cream earlier in the day, but the freezer door was ajar, so it was more like a thick soup - oh well. We had cake, hopped the kids up on the sugar, and then headed out the door (while listening to Brian wail that he didn't want to leave) and trekked back home.

This morning, I was woken up to the sound of my oldest son whispering "Happy Birthday Mommy" in my ear. What a nice way to wake up! Sean then came in and told me Happy Birthday as well. Colin just gave me a big smile and said "Dah!". We headed off to church together - and that's where the fun began. Brian didn't want to go into either the "little church" (ie. the nursery), or big church. He wanted to go to another church altogether. He was finally convinced to go into church with Chris and I, and he actually did rather well despite the fact that he likes to lay on the kneelers. Next up came my birthday brunch at Perkins. We did pretty well until the end of the meal when people were getting a little fidgety. Back home to no naps for the big boys (but a good one for Colin). I went outside to help Chris put together his grill. When I came in to check on the boys, I found that Sean had an upset tummy. How did I find this out, you ask? Well, it seems that he took his Pull-Up off (that he had had on for the pretend nap), and then couldn't...quite...make...it...to...the...bathroom. Yes, my friends, I was cleaning up poop off his legs, his feet, the floor (of course it was upstairs so it was the carpet)! Happy Birthday to me!

Come later in the afternoon, Brian got horrifically slightly cranky. Let's just say I got a preview of the teenage years, and they ain't pretty! We managed through the multiple, multiple meltdowns, had a wonderful dinner of mussels, crab cakes, bacon wrapped scallops, broccoli slaw, and rosemary roasted potatoes. The boys signed their card to me, and then Sean brought it out and read...all...the...words. Yes, he's only 3.5. We opened my presents (thank you my love!) and had my cake - a lovely almond flavored cake with raspberry filling and white chocolate buttercream frosting. If you live in the area (and don't make cakes yourself), please try a cake from this woman. You won't be disappointed - and all of her proceeds go to therapy for her 5 year old son with autism!

Now I am spending some quiet time here with Chris. Reflecting on all of the many blessings of the last year, and looking forward to the blessings of this coming year.