Happy birthday, teenager!

My oldest son turns 13 this week. Unbelievable!Here he is as a newborn in 1996.And here he is now. The thing that baffles me the most is how he could have grown so much and I still look exactly the same. One of the mysteries of the universe, I suppose.

Happy birthday!

Happy birthday to my third son, who turns seven today!

Another birthday!

Six years ago today, my third son came along. I can't believe he's six already. Happy birthday, little guy!

What a great weekend!

Thank you all for the birthday wishes - that was awesome! We left here Saturday morning and didn't get back until 8 last night. We had such a fun weekend!

The boys all decided to stay with my parents, so Hubby and I got a date night! We drove the two hours to Philly, and then drove around trying to figure out where to park. The concert was part of a big fall festival in the town of Bensalem, and parking was nonexistent unless you wanted to walk a half mile. Finally, we saw some signs saying there were buses from the high school. Once we found that, we were good.

We got to the amphitheater and there were these red metal mesh seats on either side of the stage, right up front. Over on the right side, there were empty seats in the front row! So we went over and grabbed them. I tell you, if you're going to go see Rockapella, you must get a front row seat if at all possible. It's just like on a roller coaster - the other seats are fun, but you're going to get maximum thrills in the front.

Here's something the people in the back didn't see - watch Scott's microphone (Scott is the blonde, in case you're new to Rockapella).

Scott did see me in the front and wave right near the beginning of the concert. Unfortunately, because there were going to be fireworks after, everybody had to clear out and I never saw the five guys together after they left stage. I did happen to run into Scott and he wished me a happy birthday and gave me a hug. I say "happened to" because there were thousands of people, and it was dark. My hubby saw someone he thought might be Scott coming from the general area of backstage and sure enough, it was. Anyway, long story short, I didn't get them to sing Happy Birthday to me. :( Maybe next year.

But it was awfully nice of the town of Bensalem to put on fireworks just for my birthday! Take a look!


Then yesterday, we hung out with my parents at the campground in Hershey (Hubby and I slept in a tent - my back still hurts). We played tennis and mini golf with the kids, which was fun. I only had sandals, so I took them off to play tennis. I do not recommend barefoot tennis. Maybe on a grass court, but not on cement. Still, it was fun!

Now I'm going to do some shopping with my birthday money! Later!

Today...

Birthday month - Day Two

Why do I celebrate the whole month? Well, I was due to be born at the end of the month, but I arrived at the beginning of the month. I figure that pretty much gives me the whole month to celebrate.

I got a nice "gift" from a friend this morning. I showed up at co-op wearing a pair of jeans I literally could not fit over one thigh a year ago. And my friend looked me up and down and said, "You just get thinner all the time!" That felt good. I am officially at 60 pounds lost, people! That's like a large dog.

Birthday month - Day One

Official celebrations may begin - it is now my birthday month! While there are no official ceremonies planned, don't forget that my birthday month always ends with lots of people donning costumes and handing out treats. Start planning now!

In other news, Fred and Ethel are not at all pleased about being told to move out. We weren't home all day yesterday and when we finally got home last night, we had an angry message from Fred telling us we were making a mistake, because Jack and Jill are the ones who called the cops on them. Um, duh! That's one reason we know we're not making a mistake! Then he started ranting about his security deposit and taking us to court. Yeah, good luck with that. He signed a lease saying we have 30 days after they move out to get any money back to him. And unless the house is trashed, he'll get all of it back that he's supposed to.

Honestly, in almost nine years of being landlords, this is the first time we've had people complaining over and over about one of our tenants. Do they really think they're the innocent ones here? I have nothing against them personally, but they clearly cannot play nice with others, and I'm tired of the phone calls. So my phones are off until they calm down. They've said they'll be out by the 30th. We'll see.

Hey, where was I 12 years ago today? Any guesses?

That's me in a Rockapella sandwich. Mmm.

Birthday countdown!

As many of you know, my birthday is coming up a week from tomorrow. For those of you who are in some way related to me, or who would like to buy me a gift out of the kindness of your hearts, my Amazon wish list can be accessed through my profile. Anything on that list would make a wonderful gift which I would in no way turn down.

Next Saturday, we will travel to the Philly area for a Rockapella concert. I'm so excited that this is actually ON my birthday. And not only that, but it's free! It's a completely free concert! Which means we can bring the kids this time and not worry about paying $30+ dollars a ticket! (Not that Scott wouldn't comp them, but I hate to keep asking). Lest you think I've lost my mind, we will only be taking the older two boys. I shudder to think of the scenes that would be caused by a talkative 5 year old and a screaming 2 year old.

And because one of my secret Rockapella dreams has always been to have them sing Happy Birthday to me, I will absolutely be letting them know it's my birthday. Don't worry, I'll be subtle. I'm making myself a t-shirt that says, "It's my birthday - sing to me!"

11 years ago...

I was sitting in a hospital bed, holding my newborn son and wondering what on earth I was supposed to do with him. Oh, how many sleepless nights were ahead! How many endless screamfests when nothing at all would comfort him! Five months of sleeping with the baby because he wouldn't sleep alone. Refusing to drink from a bottle. Nursing every hour for forty-five minutes.

Yes, there's no question my oldest was my most difficult. And now he is one of the most amazing kids you'd ever want to meet. I'm so proud of him. Happy birthday, son! I love you!

Happy Birthday!

My second son is now eight years old! I can't believe it!

Happy birthday, big boy! (This is an old pic, obviously. Wasn't he a doll?)

Happy Birthday, Five Year Old!

Can you believe this little guy is five years old today??Happy birthday, little monkey!