Birthday festivities

After a rather sleepless night, I got up at 5:20am and just went for a run.  Nothing like starting off my birthday with a good 3.5 mile run!  Not as intense as my 5-mile run yesterday, but still felt good to loosen up my muscles and get a breeze in my face.  The weather is PERFECT right now in the mornings - 65-70F, no breeze, first light just coming over the horizon at 5:45am, and hardly anyone out and about.  I love my running time on the weekends.  The husband always asks me why I would get up earlier on the weekend than during the week, and this is why - I love the peace it brings me.  :)

Then, a nice breakfast and morning time to do what I want, not what the girls need.  Opened all the windows for fresh air, took a leisurely shower, talked with the hubby about various things, and then chatted via Skype with my best college girlies.  So cathartic!

Then it was off to my in-laws' house to celebrate my birthday.  When we pulled up to the house, L came running out the front door and yelled "Happy birthday, Mama!" and hugged me.  So sweet!  E came out as well, saying "happy!  happy!  Mama!"  Ha!  Love my girls.  They had such a nice spread of food for us - Nathan's hot dogs (hot dogs have been my favorite food since I was 5), stuffed mushrooms, stuffed peppers, olives, veggies, a fruit bowl, Pei Wei noodles (noodles for long life!), decadent chocolate cake (from the hubby), lemon meringue pie (from the in-laws), and way too much of all of it.  Yum!  We had such a good time over there today - I'm so lucky to have in-laws that are so thoughtful, caring, and wonderful grandparents to my daughters. 

After we came back home, E decided it was time to disobey every. single. thing. we asked her to do or not to do.  She was in everything, and pitching a giant fit every time someone told her to redirect.  I think she was tired, but it definitely grated on my nerves all evening.  The husband and girls gave me my gifts after we came home, which consisted of an awesome cornucopia of books, drawings from the girls, alcohol (my favorite, Smirnoff!), the One Ring (from Lord of the Rings, mwahaha), and a new puzzle game for my Nintendo DS.  This is breaking my birthday/Christmas rule to the extreme - I've told my husband time and time and TIME again that I don't want anything electronic related as gifts for my birthday or Christmas (after having many birthdays and Christmases that were 100% electronics.  I don't deal in that stuff all the time like he does!  I don't want it!  Yeesh!), so I had to pout about that one.  However, I know I'll love the game.  Sshh, don't tell him, we don't want to encourage him.

Gifts from the girls and hubby.  Notice L already reading one of my books?  Hee hee.

I also received cards, gifts, phone calls, and well wishes from numerous family and friends all through the day.  I am truly lucky to have so many wonderful people in my life wishing me well as I turn 32 and embark on my 33rd year of life.  If this coming year goes anything like today, I know it will be the best year yet!

Happy at 32.  :)