Birthday(s) week almost done…

Last Sunday, I turned 45 years old! I don’t know if I can actually say I look forward to aging, but I sure am grateful to have survived another year, especially when the odds have been stacked against me so many times.
As a kid I couldn’t wait to have another birthday. I was always the youngest kid in my class in school, and was always trying to “catch up” to my friends (Yes for a mere month, I was just like everyone else)

I didn’t like having an AUGUST Birthday though.  In fact, I hated that BOTH my brother and I got new school clothes for MY birthday.  All of my friends family’s were always trying to squeeze in “one more vacation” before school started, so no one was ever able to come to a party.

When I had my girls, I was determined that they would each have the most memorable birthdays ever!  The fact that they were born 6 years and one day apart, made it a bit challenging and expensive at times though.  Today is Thing One’s Bday, she is turning 27.  Tomorrow Thing 2 will be turning 21.

I don’t know if you ever made these “coupons” for your parents, or received them from your kids, but in my opinion these are the best gifts you can ever receive from your kids.

This year, my birthday present to Thing One is a set of coupons from me to her.  I volunteered to “mommy” her again for the day.  This consists of me doing her laundry, painting her bathroom, taking her out to lunch etc.  Can you believe I am super stoked about it too?!?!?  I am very grateful that she still WANTS me around, and that she is letting me do something for her.  (I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree when it comes to independence)

If you have a minute more, please join me for a brief trip down memory lane.

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I have to call special attention to the girls 10th and 4th bdays to thank my friends for helping me pull off these big parties year after year….

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The parties started on Thing 1’s bday.  I think about 15 of her friends and 7 of mine came over to go swimming, compete in a limbo contest, go on a scavenger hunt throughout our neighborhood, make tie die tshirts , and concluded with all of the kids spending the night.  The morning of Thing 2’s bday, all of Thing one’s friends circled around the trampoline and sang happy birthday to her, we had pony rides, a pinata, more swimming, and of course another cake.  Have I ever told you I have really awesome friends and family?!?!?

How do you and your family celebrate birthdays?  Do your birthdays all fall close together?  What is your most memorable birthday?

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Tomorrow for Thing 2’s bday we are going to check out 21 of the 100 places that give you free things on your Birthday.  I can feel the sugar coma already.