30-older

It's my birthday today.  I always feel kind of weird announcing it.  I mean, all I did was get born.  And it seems a little immature to expect special treatment because of it.  That said,  it's still nice to be acknowledged.  I also have 3 kids and with the advent of Facebook, secrets are not easily kept. 

This morning my principal visited my classroom in the morning to greet the kids (as he often does) and Eileen informed him that it was my birthday. He asked what the kids gave me and I responded, "They got dressed."  When you're a parent things like not dragging three kids out of bed and out the door are precious gifts.

Eileen's birthday revelation seemed to set off a cascading effect.  I went about my morning teaching like normal and then took my students down for lunch.  I had lunch duty.  I didn't beg off because it was my birthday.  As I watched the clock slowly creep towards lunch clean up, the principal appeared downstairs.  I noticed him chatting with a few different kids, but assumed it was just student council.  Next thing I know my principal is leading the entire middle school in a round of "Happy Birthday."  Normally, I loathe being sung to, but I made an except today.  My principal offered to finished my lunch duty (right before the worst part).  I gladly accepted and ran away.  Thanks Rick!

Later in the afternoon as I was working away during recess my partner teacher asked if I needed anything.  I said I'd love coffee.  Not only did he bring me back a latte, but some Milk Duds as well.  This guy gets me.

Soccer practice was cancelled so I only had to get the kids to swim lessons.  I came home and found a present from my parents (a wine sectional grocery tote, stocked with wine) along with a very pretty vase that had belonged to my grandmother filled with flowers.  Good job parents.

I came home from swim lessons to find Dave making dinner (it wasn't quite what I had in mind, but still delicious), a gorgeous bouquet, and milk chocolate toffee candies.  Dave handled the bulk of child rearing for the evening while I withdrew to my mom cave, aka my bedroom.  I watched shows on Hulu with the fireplace on and my favorite candle burning.

I came down for dessert (warm brownies and vanilla ice cream).  I admit that after the kids went to bed I had a second bowl.  I am weak.

I suppose my present this year is a brand new couch that arrived the day before yesterday.  We've been down a couch since Robin used the old one as a potty training receptacle.  I also bought plane tickets so that Eileen and I can visit friends in Nebraska next month.

A student asked me how old I was.  I told her, "30-older."  I'm no longer early thirties or mid-thirties.  So 30-older it is.

30-older.  You can't tell but I'm rocking a nice messy bun. My friend, Kate, showed me the trick last week of how to do it.  I'm surprisingly okay with my aging.  After attempting to let myself age gracefully, I dyed my hair upon Eileen's request.  I'm so glad I did.  I didn't expect it to make me feel more vibrant but it did!

Eileen was full of so much love and hugs today.  While I was taking her brother to preschool, Eileen made me a heart that said happy b-day and signed it from her and her brothers.  Eileen got to go to the pumpkin patch today.  She was so excited. Her enthusiasm was contagious and I think it set the stage for a good day.  It wasn't fancy, but it might have been one of my best birthdays in a while.