7:42pm (birthday eve) My kids are ready for bed, but more ready to play. They want to be doctors for a few minutes, so I lay back and acted as their patient. A little tired, I hardly noticed my veins being covered in bandages and a homemade cast being attached to my neck/hand. By the time I bolstered enough energy to end the role playing, we were 30 minutes past usual bedtime.
1:07am October 21st. Hamilton finally walked through the door about an hour later than expected. He greeted me with a birthday wish and hug. While we were chatting, I realized my favorite necklace was missing from my jewelry box. Hamilton sweetly helped me search for it in the wee hours of the morning, but we ended up giving up and hitting the hay a little after 2am.
5:44am I wake to the pitter-patter of little feet in the hallway. I stumble into the kids bedroom and attempt to get them to snuggle with me for a few more minutes of rest, but they are in full speed "Happy Birthday Mommy" mode. My eyes had not even adjusted to the light yet, and I was opening several homemade presents wrapped in grocery bags from my little inventor. I received several decorated containers, cards and a knife/sharpener (a rock and stick). Belle also announced, "Mommy, me and daddy also got you a new tablet, but I can't find it so I will have to give it to you later." I laughed and asked if she was suppose to tell me about the tablet, and she assured me, "Oh, yes, daddy said I could tell you on your birthday."
6:30am Belle asked why I wasn't wearing the cast the doctor ordered me to wear. I explained I couldn't sleep with it on, but promised to put it back on when I got dressed. At that point, she reached for her birthday dress and declared she had also picked out a special outfit for the birthday girl to wear. She opened her desk drawer and pulled out one of my dresses she had neatly folded. As she handed it to me, she said, "Mom, this is your beautiful red velvet dress that you have to wear for your birthday. Be careful cause your necklace is wrapped inside." Well, at least it wasn't lost...
7:00am I am in the kitchen ready to start breakfast and pack lunches, when Belle sweetly announced she wanted to take us out to breakfast with her allowance money before CC. Touched by her thoughtfulness, I glanced at the clock and agreed we would have time. We would've been in no rush at all, but Belle couldn't locate her money purse. As the minutes went ticking by, I remembered I had never given her this week's allowance, so I handed her $4. She wondered if it would be enough, and I assured her it would be sufficient to carry out her birthday plan. (I hoped so anyways because it was really important to her that she paid for all of us).
7:45am We are almost at McDonalds, which is located right by CC. Belle exclaims, "Mommy, we can't eat here, YOU don't like McDonalds and it is your birthday!" I am quick to respond, "No, I don't really care for McDonalds, but they have great coffee and I haven't had any yet!" Satisfied, she walks in clutching her $4 and we study the menu. I know I need to eat something or I may not make it through tutoring, but I also really want to make sure I get my morning coffee included in our tight budget. I whispered the order to Belle, which she shyly repeated to the cashier. I will never forget her pleasure when she discovered she not only had enough money to pay for our breakfast, but received $.11 change.
8:28am Running slightly behind, I walked into my classroom to get ready for CC and immediately noticed a thoughtful gift and birthday card left by a kindred spirit. Not long after, our CC community sang the Happy Birthday chorus to me in our opening ceremonies.
9:05am-12:45pm Busy day at Classical Conversations. I never had a moment to glance at my cellphone tucked away, but I occasionally heard a few faint chimes indicating the many birthday messages I was receiving.
12:55pm As we are walking out to the suburban, I see a Birthday balloon tied to my mirror. Smiling, I say to the kids, "Look! Someone put a birthday balloon on momma's car! I wonder who did that!?!" As he is buckling in, John takes credit, "I did that for you, mommy!" When I inquire how he managed, he proceeds to fabricate a very imaginative tall tale, "I went to Lowes AND Bilo and got the balloon. I paid for it. I went on the street BY MYSELF. Then, I climbed up on your car and tied the knot REALLY tight so it wouldn't blow away." I asked, "Oh, I see. Miss Cara let you leave the big boy class?" He says, "I found a way." About this time, Belle exclaims, "This is a made up story, John Marshall!" Surprised by his fib, I decided to address the fib a bit later and just take joy in the fact that he really wished he was old enough to do something nice for his momma. At this point, we accidentally lose the balloon in the sky, and John sheds tears of remorse. Thankfully, I am able to comfort him that I took a picture before it blew away.
1:05pm Hamilton starts singing me Happy Birthday as I walk in the door. We enjoy a few moments of family time recounting the events of the morning and opening a few cards and gifts that had arrived in the mail from loving family members. Hamilton hands me a bag, and soon discovers I already know the contents. We share a smile. I thank my wonderful husband and kids for the endearing cards, the new tablet and the shelf they had made me over the weekend.
1:37pm John and I rested on his bed and chat about the balloon story. He finally admitted he was just pretending and we discussed lying. I flip on John's Bible music and left him for his afternoon nap. As I start tidying up before our guests arrive for cake and coffee, I hear Hamilton on his work phone. I say, "Don't tell me. You are getting called in early, right?" I was amused at the timing, but not annoyed, as I understand it is the nature of his job. Belle, however, was not happy daddy would be missing the little party. Once again, we recounted the importance of having a daddy who works for his family. Then, I scramble to try to at least get the soaked toilet paper roll my son had plastered all over the bathroom cleaned before my parents and grandparents arrived. In the meantime, Belle is still actively making birthday creations, including a birthday bag necklace, a place mat, another container...
3:00pm The house is presentable, but definitely not clean. I was still sweeping when my loved ones showed up. We chat and enjoy a healthy version Big Chocolate Chip Cookie, which Belle and my mom had made for me.
5:08pm Our guests start to leave. The kids are busy playing in their Halloween costumes Granny had brought over. John's modification of his Joseph outfit humored me. I begin fixing a quick dinner and pulling out Belle's soccer attire.
6:30pm At Belle's last soccer practice for the season. With the time change, she practices in the dark while John and I get eaten alive by the bugs.
7:45pm Begin baths and bedtime routine. After a long day, Belle has a meltdown over the "horrible" smell of the tea tree oil we have been applying to her skin rash nightly.
8:15pm The kids have started to quiet down in their rooms for the night, and I quickly try to clear the counter before my friends walk over to wish me Happy Birthday. A few minutes later, Tammy, George and I share piece of cake and a nice chat.
9:30pm I check my messages, upload some pictures, and get sick. (My last trimester woe)
10:58pm Talk to Hamilton at work, and go to sleep. It has been a long, but very good day.
October 22nd (day after)- I was especially tired all day and a bit cranky. Mom had planned to take the kids for Hamilton and I to go on a date for my birthday, but they ended up just sleeping over at Grandmas while we enjoyed a nice relaxing late afternoon and evening. Hamilton helped me get some chores done and picked up some take-out for dinner and a movie. Blissfully calm and much needed evening!
October 28th (week later) Still celebrating my birthday. Mom and I enjoyed a nice afternoon in Bluffton. I haven't been shopping in ages, but I seem to be nesting or something. :)
