Skip to main content

Birthday Magic...turning 22, I mean 40!

I really feel like my birthday began last night while getting Lorelei ready for bed.  She sweetly said, "Mommy, tomorrow is your birthday.  You're going to be 20 right?"  With I little giggle I replied, "More like 20 times 2!"  She says, "Oh, 22?".  Who am I to burst her bubble??  "Yes sweet girl, 22."  One of the best presents I got!! 

This morning I woke up as usual at 5:30 a.m.  I had morning duty, whether it was my birthday or not.  The kids always pack their lunches on Tuesday night, because we have to leave earlier on duty days (by 6:55 a.m.).  I knew I didn't need to rush too much, because that was done.  I also knew Savannah was up to something.  I heard her alarm go off at 5:30!!  I went ahead and busied myself with my morning routine, giving plenty of warning to Savannah, when I was heading out to the kitchen.  I was pleasantly surprised to find this...


It's always been my tradition to have the kids spots at the kitchen table decorated, with their presents waiting and a special breakfast...and I was so touched that they went to the same trouble for me!  They painted the beautiful canvas and made some homemade cards.  Savannah made me blue pancakes.  :) She even spent her own money to buy me a gift.

She bought me some pretty little spice jars with chalkboard labels!!  She knows I love things for the kitchen and I love jars!!
 
John of course, worked some of his own birthday magic.  He went missing for about 3 hours Tuesday night.  I even joked on my Facebook status that he was probably out shopping!  He hid pieces of my gifts.
This was hidden under the painting from the kids.
The next bit was hidden in my lunch box, only I didn't have to pack my lunch today because we were ordering Pei Wei for my birthday lunch at school!  Savannah told me she thought I left something in it that I needed and to please check it.  And to my surprise (OK, I really wasn't surprised, but I faked it!), I found this:

This was enough to make my day!!

At school, after duty, I walked into the classroom to 20 students yelling "Happy Birthday!"   I had a lovely Starbuck's coffee and lemon pound cake from my dear friend, who happens to be a parent of one of my students, waiting on my desk! There were also some gifts, like a lovely picture frame and singing card from one of the sweetest girls I've ever taught, Emily! ;) (I know she reads my blog.)  The class worked hard today on some great projects.  My team had a wonderful lunch with me, including a fabulous homemade lemon bundt cake!  It was capped off by me leaving work on time!! 

My mom arrived with Bailey and dinner in hand!  She made a yummy chicken dish with a creamy white wine and mushroom sauce.  My sister Kim and Jeff with Brieley came over too.  My mom got me some of my favorite things, adorable tea cup style measuring cups, an antique milk glass bowl and a shirt and scarf!  My sister got me my very first "mommy" necklace.  It's engraved with all the kids names and has little dangling birthstones.
After dinner, we finished off the rest of the lemon cake with a little singing and candles and a birthday wish for this year! 
Don't you love the hat John got me!
It was really a milestone day (to boot this is my 50th blog post!), a magical day and I can't thank my family, friends, co-workers and students enough!  Turning 22, I mean 40 was fun, fabulous and fantastic!  :)

Comments

  1. The BarronsFebruary 4, 2013 at 8:41 PM

    Awww happy belated birthday Jen! Sounds like you had a wonderful day! So glad that you have such sweet family to take such good care of you on your birthday :)

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Feeling a little salty...

  It may not look like I'm feeling a little salty in this picture, but  I was. It's June, and summer vacation had just started. All the chaos of May had me feeling a little tired, and I was experiencing what I thought was mild back pain from sciatica. I had noticed a few spots on my back and leg that looked like bug bites. Savannah was over, and we were about to head out to the pool when she noticed a crazy rash on my leg. She FaceTimed my mom, who said it looks like shingles?!?! John didn't agree and thought there was no way. Savannah insisted I go to urgent care. What do you know...I did have shingles. As soon as I mentioned how busy my month had been, that I was a teacher, had a Senior graduating, etc. The doctor said stress is one of the biggest causes of shingles. I was lucky this sweet girl of mine made me go get checked out. I was able to start meds and caught it early.  I did not have time for shingles! Hence the saltiness. That same week was Lorelei's high scho...
Post a Comment
Read more

The days are long...

...but the years are short. I've always loved the saying. One of my favorite authors and podcasters, Gretchen Rubin, is credited as the original author of this quote. I always think about it when another year passes. This year was fast and furious, as I have found all the years to be since my kids became teenagers. It seems like every time I turn around, there's another graduation, major milestone, or life achievement by one of my kids. 2024 had a high school graduation, college graduation, three moves from home to college, from college back to town, from across town, back to home. And the dust hasn't completely settled yet. Gretchen Rubin has another saying now that her kids are grown. Instead of an empty nest, she calls it an "Open Door." I love that too. My door will always be open to my kids and their friends, as it seems like there's always an extra somebody at our house too. It's one of my favorite times.  Thanksgiving break brought some new friends ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Relax...

  January came and went,  (even though it felt like forever.) February is nearly over. I haven't felt like writing, sharing, or posting. Nothing secretive or special going on, I've just been living in my own space and moments. A new year feels precious and extraordinary, even if winter feels hard, I want to savor these cozy moments. The next six months will be challenging, as I face more milestones with my Boyen Bunch. These last two months have been a time for me to brace myself for the excitement ahead.  Once Spring break hits, the rest of the school year flies by, and before we know it...well, you know how that goes. By the end of 2025, my nest will be empty.  I'm not a fan of the "new year, new me" concept, because I am a continuous work in progress. I can't start over every year. But the one thing I know I need to work on is relaxing . That's why this year, my word of the year is to relax. This blog post is a prime example.  I give myself a deadline ...
Post a Comment
Read more