The BIG Event.

What a wonderful birthday.  I was nervous when I first had this idea that no one would respond.  You know, the setting up for a party, and no one showing up. Guess what?  That didn't happen, in fact I had more response that I anticipated.  It was so much fun to have all the comments, texts, e-mails and phone calls.

Let me tell you a little about my day.  I woke up and Ben had decorated our hallway.

Then I headed off to San Diego with a friend for a little breakfast and pedicures.  When I say pedicure, it is unlike any pedicure I have ever had.  It was at an actual spa, and it was the most relaxing, amazing pedicure I have ever had.  The seats were reclining and they put blankets and an eye mask on during the pedicure.  I don't think I fell asleep, but it was pretty close.

Then I came home to find that people had responded to my party, and people were participating.

My friend Kolbi, made Chess Bars, and wore her special birthday apron.  Her sons even participated!  One of her sons wrote the birthday song in Mandarin, and the other son decorated it. 

(Kolbi, the pink ink shows up even on pink paper.  It is not disappearing ink.) 

My name is underlined in pink.

Then another friend, Melissa,  who is currently living in Jerusalem had a party at her house with some of my favorite things.

 Fresh homemade bread and freshly squeezed lemonade.  Did I mention that she has five kids?  She is absolutely amazing.  I definitely think I am going to try to make it to her house for dinner.  She also had a frozen pizza which she was able to read the numbers to cook it.  (I totally get that, I have done that in several languages, and most of the time it works.)

Then another friend, Camille tried to have her son sing a primary song, but he can't say mama yet, and so she put up adorable pictures on her blog instead.

Lisa, who is going to be moving to Tijuana in a few months (yippee) went to McDonald's with her little ones.  They played in the play place and had ice cream.  Definitely my kind of treat.

Ashley and her daughter played dressed up, and it looks like they danced around the house.  I imagine life with a cute four year old daughter involves a lot of dancing and dressing up.  How fun!



My aunt Jodie, Uncle Ric, and cousins celebrated with a victorious soccer game and an awesome academic achievement.

My parents called and told me how wonderful I am, you know, the usual parents stuff. 

My sister Jodie sent me a cute dress, and we were able to Skype.

The party continued that night, when Ben and I went to dinner.  We were planning on going to Cheesecake Factory, but when we saw that the seafood restaurant next door had lobster, we changed our minds.  We decided to go for a little surf and turf.  It was delicious.  The picture on the right is of the menu- it had the date printed on it.  (Ben, like most husbands, LOVES taking pictures of all the "fun" things of life.  Thanks sweetie.) 

This year instead of getting gifts, I opted for another option- a trip to Puerto Vallarta.  That's right, Ben and I are going for a long weekend.  Just the two of us.  My parents gift for me is that my mom is coming down here with one of my brothers and staying with the boys.  My sister, Jodie,  is even in on the gift.  You see, my parents were going to go stay with her for a few days, but when she found out about my gift, she gave up her time with my parents.  WHAT A GREAT SISTER! 

What a fabulous birthday!

Thank you so much for participating.  It was greater than I imagined.  I am so grateful to start this year with such amazing family and friends.  You have no idea how much you all mean to me.  I hope it was as fun for you as it was for me.

If anyone else wants to have a party, please send me an invite.  I would love to celebrate with you!