A Really Good Day

Sometimes there are bad days where everything goes wrong. Those days suck.

But then, just sometimes, there are days like Ben's birthday. Where everything goes right.

Where the temperature outside is perfect. Just a few fluffy clouds in the sky, no bugs, 72 degress with no humidity.

Where all your favorite people show up for the party.

Where you find an empty picnic table right by the playground in a very busy park.

Where the birthday cake melts in the sun but everyone laughs instead of cries.

Where friends and family are gathered together to celebrate a wonderful boy's birthday.

It was a good day. A really good day.

Eight

Happy 8th birthday to the coolest kid...

To the goofiest kid...

To the sweetest boy...

To the sportiest little dude...

To a great friend...

To a very creative guy...

and the best son a mother could ever wish for.

Whenever I hear you say "My mom said..." I feel so lucky and proud that I get to be that person. Your mom.

Happy Birthday Baby!

Now please. Stop growing up. That's an order!

Hi. My Name Is Becky and I Survived My Son's Birthday Party.

Ben had his friend birthday party yesterday.

His actual birthday isn't until next Saturday but being the shrewd planner that he is (I wonder where he got that from) he decided to have his "friend" party one weekend and then his family birthday party the next weekend, on his real birthday.

Therefore extending his birthday for a full week. No one said this kid was dumb.

Ben wanted to have his party at a local bowling alley with 10 of his closest friends. Sadly (thank god!) three couldn't make it. So it was just 8 of the most well behaved, calm, sweet bunch of kids.

They all sat quietly with their hands folded in their laps, patiently waiting for their turn to bowl. They didn't speak out of turn and they said their "please's" and "thank you's" at all times.

It was a lovely and modest affair.




Educational and useful gifts were given. And all the children sat still and very quiet as the shy birthday boy opened these wise gifts.




I would like to take a moment to publicly thank my friends Shelly and Emily for their strength, generosity, for not leaving me alone with the Wild Things and mostly for their sheer ability to make the insane, somewhat sane. Because of them, I didn't run out of the bowling alley, arms flailing wildly, screaming obscenities as I played hopscotch on the busy street outside.

I believe for Ben's 9th Birthday I will suggest that he can take one very special friend to the library. Where if they are very good, they can each check out TWO BOOKS!

1 Year Closer to 40

Another birthday has come and gone. And what a fine one it was.

Saturday night I had dinner out with great girlfriends at my latest favorite restaurant.



Then we moseyed (I guess when you are this old you mosey places) to another fun party at a bar downtown with old friends and new.


This guy was new.


So was this one.




Oh and here's another new one. This one was REALLY weird too. Came up to our table, said hello and then asked us all what our favorite temperature was. Then he asked another friend of mine if she liked to canoe. That's why Richelle looks so pleased to have her picture taken with this odd fellow.

I guess this is the face you make when you turn 36.


OMG! How old am I now?


Finally yesterday my loving parents threw me a family birthday party on my actual day of birth.

As you can see, they think of me as a very serious and mature woman.




Yep. You read the cake decoration right. It does say "Barbie" and it rocks!!!

So thanks 35 for keeping me company for 365 days but I'm ready to see what 36 has in store.

Happy Birthday To Jew

My birthday is on Easter this year. I'm Jewish. (although I use this term to describe myself lightly as I'm about as religious as the Grinch.) Ergo, fun times had by all.

For a Jew, Easter is easily the worst holiday. Ever! Nothing is open, all your friends are with their family doing Easter things, it's on a Sunday… you get the idea. Which makes it a double whammy for me. I finally have a birthday on a weekend... a weekend day where NOTHING is going to be open. Maybe my mom and I can find a Muslim spa to get pedicures at.

Christmas, on the other hand, I actually love, celebrate and can really get behind. It's the end of the year, good tidings to all, Peace on Earth, Happy Holidays, a reason for many a party and real tree in your house with pretty lights! You bet!

But Easter? Ugh. Easter has such a religious backing to it that I can't get out of my head. I know there are many out there who are just taking down their "Keep Christ in Christmas" signs from their front yards but to me, Easter is almost scary! At least Christmas is about a cute baby. Why aren't more Christian kids scared of Easter? Is that what the Easter bunny and pretty pastel eggs are for?

If this was a Jewish holiday? OY! We would be lamenting, and fasting and praying and who knows what else. But it sure wouldn't have chocolate eggs and pretty baskets behind it.

I guess this year I'll have a different reason to celebrate Easter. My birthday. So thank goodness for my family who would normally be bored out of their minds on this day.