Birthday Week abounds!

If I could rate Greg's birthday week for this year - it would be a simple *** (out of 5) review (he would be nice and probably give it **** (out of 5) but we all know he also finds redeeming qualities in just about every movie he ever sees - so his rating is probably a little inflated.

Let me explain - I mean there was some effort - but I don't know - I feel like it was just mediocre. I like to do it big and grand and well . . . when you see the run-down . . . it was actually pretty simple.

Monday - we gave him the gift of cheese. Fancy Havarti to be exact.

Here he is, trying to contain his excitement. I knew how to start this week off with a bang.

Tuesday - we gave him the Lego movie. Because hello, Henry wanted it and so did Rosscat.

(This picture has nothing to do with the Lego movie but everything to do with Lego- so it fits. And that plant is pretty cool looking).

Wednesday - Giordano's pizza. Which, for the record, was shipped in dry ice and was decidedly good. I was quite skeptical - but really - we will definitely be doing this again. We went with the classic Popeye pie and it was totally worth it. Greg is still enjoying the leftovers. And it came shaped as a heart. A win.

Thursday - a parade in his honor followed up with his favorite - Graham Canyon ice cream. In a nice single serving bowl. I was kind and didn't want him to pork up - that's my job right now.

Friday - Fireworks! The zoo! And a trip to the Mandarin (his first time). And a cute little boy riding the train.

Saturday - some early Happy Birthday singing (so really a fail - but I'm trying to be positive):

Sunday - More Lego stuff! Bigger Lego stuff! More pieces scattered around just waiting to be accidentally vacuumed up!

And that concludes birthday week 2014. I'm exhausted and all I did was buy some extra treats for Greg to eat for the week. Ah well - next year is a big one. I'll be back on my game.

another year older another year wiser

So my birthday was great. For reals. Greg purchased a "Happy Birthday" sign from the dollar tree (festive and cheap!), had some balloons, flowers, cards, and gifts waiting for me right when I got up - and I got to spend all day with my two boys. I really couldn't have asked for more. Oh and I also got a pedicure - (so necessary with sandal weather rapidly approaching).

But for those of you curious (and I know you are) - I still went sans sugar and flour - despite the fact that I could have easily justified it by simply saying, "it's my birthday!" Knowing my eating parameters my mom and sil got creative with my cake. The grapefruit was for me - the cake was for everyone else.

Normally, I really hate posting pictures of myself - but my hair looks good and the grapefruit flame looks like it's about to set the house (and me) on fire - so it's a keeper.

birthday week - part 3

One of the reasons why I am glad I'm alive is to have this guy as my *BF:

I mean honestly, who else would play Charles Nelson Reilly to my Joanne Whorley? I'll tell you - no one.

Once, the Toddcat and I got in a fight. I don't really remember what it was about but I do remember that I was right. Anyway. The point is . . . I hated being in that fight. Who was I going to call and talk to at odd times of the day if not to him? It was like I didn't know what to do. I think it was then that Greg realized how nice it was  (for him) to have Toddcat in my life.

The first time Greg and Toddcat met was at the Chili's restaurant in the Chicago airport. All three of us were headed to Spain. It's a good thing that they liked each other - otherwise it would have been a pretty horrible vacation / pseudo-honeymoon. I love that. I love having him for a friend. Besides, he is a pretty fantastic blog commenter.

*For the record, Toddcat is my BF but Greg is my  BFF.

birthday week - part 2

I love walking out of my bedroom and seeing this contrast between Henry's and Greg's jackets.

birthday week! - part 1

That's right - it's my birthday week. I've decided that this week I should perhaps blog about things I love (aka "reasons why I am glad I'm alive").

It would be easy to start this week off with something cliche - you know, like saying, "I love my husband and Constantine" sort of thing. But no. Why start off with something so easy? Instead I'm going to start by saying - "oh I'm so glad I'm alive because I love my Aprils." I really do. I love them even when I have to be bossy with them. My Aprils are the best - they make work fun.

My Aprils make me feel like I'm 22 - I'm all caught up on what is hip and happening and a lot of time I really just want to hang out with them after work. And then I remember that I'm their boss, and that I'm married and have a baby and a mortgage and that my life is incredibly different from theirs.

I really do get sucked into this time warp so much that the other day, as I was detailing the awesomeness of "Celebrity Apprentice" an April had to stop and ask me "Who is Debbie Gibson?" and then "Who is Arsenio Hall?" Seriously? Seriously? I had to stop all work discussion and make them watch the powerful music video of "Lost in Your Eyes" and a couple of Arsenio clips - they still don't know these people - but at least now I feel like we are back to being pop-culture equals.

In honor of this love - I thought I would give you a taste of my management style. I printed this off and put it the Aprils' desk:

Tough love.