You Say It’s Your Birthday
Filed Under: Thriving
Well it’s my birthday too! Today I turned 38 years old. Nothing milestone-ish. Nothing particularly exciting nor depressing. I got a beautiful new watch for my birthday, plus some cash, gift cards, a book I’ve been wanting, and lots of great cards. Thanks everyone! Funniest card award goes to my aunt:
Cover: (Two women talking) “My butt’s bigger.” “No, my butt’s bigger.”
Inside: “It’s your birthday. My butt’s bigger.”
I spent this morning in the typical fashion: feeding, dressing, cleaning and playing with my kids. When C napped I played a little Toontown with L. I read a couple blogs and news articles. I came up with a myriad of ideas for blog posts that may never come to fruition due to lack of time.
Then I took a shower and got dressed up. Well, I got out of my lay around the house clothes, that is. I took L to get a haircut, then drove back by the house to pick up PHAT Daddy and we went to one of my favorite restaurants for dinner. It was “kids night” and they had a clown. I thought it might be fun and keep the younglings happy while I enjoyed dinner.
Not so much.
The place was louder than loud, with screaming children all over. OK, yes, kids night. But seriously, this is a pretty nice place - not like a Friendly’s or a Perkins. I didn’t expect to find so many children.
But anyway. Dinner. I decided to get something different, something healthier than the usual Fettucine Alfredo I might treat myself to on my birthday. I ordered Balsamic Chicken with broccoli over penne. It was good, but not great. And my Apple Crisp a la mode was not heated. During the course of dinner - in which my kids ate exactly two bites each - my husband asked, “Would you rather have kids that know how to behave in a restaurant and don’t eat, or kids that act like animals but eat their meals?” Clearly I would choose option #1. The kids were great and enjoyed their (impressive, I must say) balloon animals presented by the clown.
It was a nice night. I feel good. Today I am 38 years old and life is A-OK.
PHAT = Parenting, Homeschooling And Technology. That about sums up my life at the moment. 
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sandy | Mar 13, 2007 | Reply
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!
Jenn | Mar 13, 2007 | Reply
Happy Birthday! I feel like I mostly fall into C: Kids don’t behave and don’t eat their meals. Well, one kid at least!
Hope you got to enjoy a little!
Laura | Mar 14, 2007 | Reply
HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
I would also pick up option #1. Better behave and eat something afterwards.
Sarah | Mar 14, 2007 | Reply
A very happy birthday to you!
Didn’t you get a balloon animal too?!
fairly odd mother | Mar 14, 2007 | Reply
Happy Birthday! And, I’d take well-behaved non-eaters over eating maniacs too!
Cousin Laurie | Mar 14, 2007 | Reply
Birthday! Birthmonth! I was close! Happy Belated Birthday & many more happy ones!!!
Kris | Mar 14, 2007 | Reply
Happy birthday Shannon. I wish I could take you out for dinner to celebrate!
Braden | Mar 14, 2007 | Reply
Happy Birthday! Here’s to ya!
JayMonster | Mar 14, 2007 | Reply
Happy Birthday!
Angela, Mother Crone | Mar 14, 2007 | Reply
Best wishes for a happy day…sorry I missed it!
I tell you, I have found the best birthday meals are when we go out at lunch time…then we don’t deal with all the screaming kids!
Alasandra | Mar 14, 2007 | Reply
Happy belated birthday.
Bella | Mar 14, 2007 | Reply
Happy Birthday! Loved the qouted card….very cute!
Judy Aron | Mar 14, 2007 | Reply
Happy belated birthday!
It was my husband’s birthday on the 13th too!
He’s 53. We had a great dinner out, with the kids (who are all over 15).
anyway - congrats!
petite mommy | Mar 15, 2007 | Reply
Happy Late bday!
Jessica | Mar 15, 2007 | Reply
Happy Birthday, Shannon!
Liz | Mar 16, 2007 | Reply
Happy Belated Birthday, Shannon!
Kate in NJ | Mar 18, 2007 | Reply
Happy belated birthday!
We like to go out at lunch,a bunch of
other crazy kids makes it harder for my
daughter to understand we sit and eat in
a restaurant. She will still do it, but she
gets ticked off that we don’t allow her what other children are clearly having so much fun being allowed to do.:-)
Donna | Mar 19, 2007 | Reply
Happy belated birthday! 38 is a great age!