It all started Saturday, March 25th. I had just arrived home from E2, and Jim suggested we could have a date dinner out to celebrate my birthday and also just to have a date. We went to a local Italian restaurant while Ali babysat the kids for a couple of hours.
On Sunday March 26th, we had friends over for brunch after church, and then in the evening we had my main birthday party. My parents and Jeff, Gena, Preston, and Ali came over (and Madi Skyped in!) so it was quite a group.
Haley got me a “Mom Crown.” That was her idea, and what she wanted to get me. I look ridiculous in this picture, but I love how sweet she looks at watching me put it on. I got this gift before dinner because she wanted me to wear it for my whole party.
Jim grilled steaks and we had potatoes, salad, shrimp, and my requested birthday dessert.
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| This photo is so funny – the only one looking and smiling is Ali! |
I opened other gifts after dinner…
And then Jim surprised me with a new road bike! I have been borrowing one from a friend and he has been after me to get my own. Since I’m doing three triathalons this summer, I guess it was time! He spoiled me with a very nice bike that I know nothing about… but I love the colors and it is very comfortable and he picked it out for lots of important reasons. 🙂
Then the kids had half days all week, and on Monday and Tuesday I had their parent-teacher conferences. Those went really well and it was fun to have them home in the afternoons. I made it to workout at the Y both mornings as well. Since I just got back from E2, I wasn’t working much during the week.
On Wednesday, my actual birthday, they both had playdates with friends. JT had his friend Blake come over after school, and Haley rode the bus to a friend’s house. It was a quiet afternoon while the boys played outside, and I got to spin on my new bike for the first time. I also got to paint my toenails in the sunshine, which makes for a pretty great day in my book!
Thursday I got the mail and got some birthday cards and even a gift in the mail. I think you should always get the mail the day after your actual birthday, to stretch out the fun.
On Friday, we went skiing at Crystal. It ended up being a spectacular day on the mountain! We left home right on time and arrived at the hill when it opened. We had some things to do, like getting Jim and the kids season passes for next year, getting the kids’ rental gear, buying Haley a jacket (oops, still on the hook at home) and getting them checked in for lessons later in the day.
Our legs were tired before our kids were done with lessons, so Jim suggested we sit in the beer garden and have a drink before we picked up the kids. #adulting 😉
The kids ended the day asking if we could come ski every Saturday next winter. Sounds like we have two ski bunnies on our hands.
We zipped home, slammed down some soup I had going in my BFF the Instantpot, and headed out on the water. Because I have had a goal of snow skiing and water skiing in the same day for maybe twenty years now, and my family was kind enough to make it happen for me.
The kids, however, were a little loopy after a day of skiing, four hours of driving, and then a hit of calories after dinner, stuck in the boat. Ha!
I got to try out my new ski, a Radar Lyric Jim bought me in January. Yes, he spoils me. I can’t even hint at anything athletic I might want because he starts researching immediately. The ski and the bike were both his projects, and I just finally caved on the ski!
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| Sooo happy! #lifegoals |
Jim water skied too – even though he hasn’t waited nearly as long for this to happen, he was happy to check it off as well. Plus the water was awesome and he got a new dry suit for Christmas that he hadn’t tried out.
After an epic day, we turned around and packed in more fun over the weekend. Jim had invited our dear friends the Bonnells over for Saturday April 1st in honor of my birthday, but really we just love to see them. So after morning baseball practice (in which I received a team hat, because I am the team mom!), we played basketball and got dirty and ate hamburgers and laughed with our friends. Yay!
Finally, Sunday, April 2nd – today! I wanted to take the kids to see Dream Big, and this was the only day we could go. It was playing in 3D IMAX at the Pacific Science Center, so we rode the ferry over after church. It was really good and only 45 minutes long. It is worth seeing!
After the show, we stayed to play in Tinker Town for a bit.
Then we drove over to the U-District to take dinner to our friends who just had their third baby. Haley fell asleep on the way home, and it’s no wonder! Turning 37 was a lot of work. Back to reality next week… oh wait, it’s spring break!
The Keene Family 