Grown Up Birthday

Yesterday was my birthday.  As a kid I loved having a fall birthday (still do)--the crisp fall air, bright colored leaves, smells of pumpkin, apples, and cinnamon.  It made it all seem special.  Every year I looked forward to the cool new outfit I knew my grandparents would be sending in the mail.  I fantasized about what presents I might receive and always ran home quickly after school so as to take in the freshly baked cake smell that would be wafting through the house.  Ahh childhood.

As an adult my fantasy gift is no longer a new game for my 8 bit Nintendo.  I dream about sleep and zero responsibility.  I am happy to report that I received both this year.  The night before my parents came up, watched the kids while I napped, and cooked me one of my favorite dinners from childhood.  On my birthday morning Robin and I slept in while Dave and the kids went and got me a latte and pumpkin bread.  I sipped my latte in bed and read a book.  Several hours later I slowly emerged from the bedroom.

We are friends with Linus' former preschool teacher, Tricia.  Tricia and her family (they are an amazing family) have a big apple day every year where they make apple cider.  This sounded like a lovely way to spend the late morning.

The cider we made is very yummy.

We returned home where naps were had.  I rested blissfully on the couch, snuggling Robin, watching a movie.  I did eventually fall asleep.

Robin finds having his lovey on his head very calming.

Linus made sure I was properly celebrated and had Dave buy balloons to decorate the whole house and a beautiful bouquet of flowers.  I apparently also really needed a small Seattle snow globe. Linus also gave me another amazing gift.  I was dreading going to the pumpkin patch this year.  I just did not want to do it--lack of energy, mud, a teeny tiny baby.  It did not sound like fun.  Unprompted, Linus suggested we just buy pumpkins at the store this year instead of going to the pumpkin patch. YESSS!!!!

It's amazing how much your expectations and desires change as an adult where the greatest gift you can receive is being told you can take a nap or you hope beyond hope that Santa brings you new socks and underwear.  My birthday was just what I needed--lots of rest, snuggles, and yumminess.  Maybe next year (when I am not two weeks post partum) I will feel like doing something bigger.  In the meantime I believe there is leftover cake calling me from the refrigerator.