Birthdays and Peanut Butter Princess

I recently celebrated a "5 birthday". You know, one of the years that ends in 5, sort of the mid-point until the next "0 birthday." Birthday time, for me, has always been strange. As a child we never made a huge deal about birthdays. Yes we celebrated with family and friends but it was much simpler (basic, dare I say). I suppose because it turns into a day where your close family and friends focus on you and wish you well. Which, don’t get me wrong, is truly wonderful and fantastic ... I think I'm uncomfortable with the focus on me. The attention, the well wishes, the explaining what your plans are, etc. Now that I'm X5 I say get over it and embrace the love, the joy, and the excitement of birthdays.

My dear, loving husband did a fabulous job planning my big birthday this year. All kept a secret. Except I did know something was up when he denied me my afternoon at a spa! The nerve - he more than made up for it!

My morning started way too early when Ben got up at 5:15a on a Saturday. So I took him back to bed (thankfully he now has a twin size!), got him his "hot apple juice", turned on his music and we both lay quietly - eventually falling back to sleep. Until 7:30a when the rest of my family entered, with food! Mommy was getting her first breakfast in bed ... well, Ben's bed but who cares. My boys were so sweet signing me happy birthday, eating my sweet food, and spilling the juice (all of it staying on the tray!). Who could ask for anything more?

It was off to kid haircuts and then drop-off at grandmas! My very kind and wonderful mother took the kids Saturday morning through Sunday evening. Bliss, I tell ya! As it turns out the kids had a fantastic time; love spending time with grandma and all the adventures they share.

I'm off to home to start MY quiet birthday. A complete surprise to me, though apparently not to some of my blog readers, Brian had planned a most romantic get-away; an evening at the Salish Lodge at Snoqualmie Falls. Talk about heaven; he arranged for every detail. I received an amazing hot-rock massage, major relaxation, a light dinner at the Attic overlooking the falls. Sleep, sleep, and sleep - almost a full 8-hrs, imagine that! Woke up to Brian bustling around only to learn we were having guests at 9a! What! ... a few of my closest friends, with Mimosa’s, Bloody Mary's, and coffee - what could be better. At about 9a knocks at the door came from our dear friends the Lundborg's and Shelley's. So amazingly thoughtful they wanted to share my birthday - talk about focus and center of attention - o, my! Our morning was splendid - shared many laughs over our morning beverages and then down for an amazing 2+ hour breakfast.

So maybe birthdays aren't so bad - besides, I found out last night from Ben that I was the Peanut Butter Princess. Who knew ... all because I made him a peanut butter and honey 1/2-bagel sandwich for lunch that day. How special am I?

Thank you to my amazing husband, dearest friends, and all well wishes. My X5 birthday was fantastic and I'm almost looking forward to celebrating the next one.

Thanks for reading,
Nick