March the Third

Today is my birthday. March the third. Do you want to know my age?--28. (BIG Sigh.) Age never bothered me until my 26th birthday when I realized I was entering the latter years of my twenties. Now, I'm 2 years from 30! When did that happen?! No eye rolling, please.

Growing up in my family, birthdays were a big deal. When I would wake up, I would have a huge smile on my face because I knew my family would make it a special day for me. In elementary school, I would wait eagerly at my desk and watch the door for my mom to enter my classroom with a bunch of cupcakes for the class. Then as I got older and became too mature for cupcakes I always knew that my parents, and sometimes my sisters, would send me flowers or a bouquet of balloons to my school. I would feel so special! Every birthday, Mom would make a special meal for me and it would be followed by a nice party with a homemade cake. My family even has the tradition of going around the table and telling the birthday person why he/she is loved. Needless to say, as I would go to bed on the nights of my birthday, I would close my eyes with a smile because I always had experienced a wonderful day. But the older I get, I find myself seeing March 3rd as just another day on the calendar. I still get the early morning phone calls from my family and I get the cards and e-mails and more phone calls throughout the day, but something about getting older takes the "fun" and "excitement" out of a birthday. It's not a big deal anymore I guess, or maybe it's just the getting older that's not fun?! Anyway, this year my husband is out of town on my birthday. Sad, I know. I did get a birthday call at 7:00 this morning from him, though! We will celebrate when he gets back tomorrow. I did have a special birthday weekend with family in town and tonight I even threw myself a little birthday shabang with two of my favorite people in the whole wide world! Here is a photo montage of my 28th birthday weekend:

It all started on Saturday night when my mother-in-law and sister-in-law came into town to do some returns and--what I'm going to believe was their main agenda for their trip-- to take me out for dinner! Here is Cissie being a great Auntie and helping me out!

Nothing like a free dosage of birth control for this newlywed. Why don't you hand the little guy on over to Nana, Cissie.

Jane does not look thrilled. Her first words were "is this going on your blog?". Yep.

All better. We told her to act natural, care-free, non-chalant. Way to go with it, Jane. See? You're a natural! Thanks for dinner and my prizes, too! I had fun!!

Then on Sunday evening, Grammy and Grandaddy came into town! Caroline sat on Grammy's lap and watched a fairy tale special on PBS. Check out her hands--she sat with them folded for the longest time!

This morning, Caroline and Grandaddy had fun playing on the playground for a little while.



Grandaddy even did a little sliding.

Mom and Daddy took the three loners to Sugar Magnolia for lunch to celebrate the big 2-8. Then they were back in the truck and on their way home to Virginia. Thanks, Mom and Daddy for a wonderful birthday lunch and prizes! You made me feel special.

Hmmmm....now, let's see. The day's still young. I'm still young. I've got a lot more partying to do. Where do I want to go for my birthday dinner tonight? Maybe I should rephrase that. Where have I always wanted to celebrate my birthday?

Oh, yes we did! I've always wanted to go to Chuck E. Cheese on my birthday. Looks like I got my wish, 20 years later.

Poor Caroline was a little overwhelmed by all the games, lights, people and the puppet band onstage singing "Hit Me With Your Best Shot!".

See this little boy? You're thinking he's cute, right? Well, Caroline was going to get on the ride and he cut in front of her and shoved her. The mama bear in me came out and I told him that what he did was not nice (his parents were no where in sight). I looked down at Caroline and her bottom lip was quivering and puckered out and she said "I...I....I....I'm so sad". She was trying SO hard not to cry and I was about to cry! I glared at the little boy and looked around. Once again, I didn't see a parent so I snapped his picture. Meanie!

I also snapped this cute couple's picture. Apparently Chuck E. Cheese is the new hot spot for dates in Charlotte. I spotted at least 3 couples there on a date. This young man was determined to win a big prize for his girl at the ticket counter. You know, something cool like a hot pink stuffed gorilla for 1000 tickets. By the looks of those tickets in his left hand, he's almost there.

Then you have this mom who was into her skee-ball game a little too much. She kept playing game after game! I had to act like I was taking Caroline's picture to get this lucky lady in action. I'm not kidding you, going to Chuck E. Cheese and the characters you encounter there is a blog post in itself!

This is how I looked all night. A baby hanging off my chest, a diaper bag on my shoulder, balancing a cup of 50 tokens and another cup for the 133 tickets that we won, plus taking my camera in and out to capture pictures. Oh yeah, and holding Caroline's hand with my free right hand. Roy, where are you?!

This is what $12.50 will buy you: A butterfly filled with bubbles, a red heart plastic ring and a silver dollar sign plastic ring...AND the sweet memory of taking my two blessings to Chuck E. Cheese on my 28th birthday.