The difficulty in celebrating my birthday is that everyone else has birthdays in September also. Why would our common friends want to celebrate so-and-so and then the next day eat out for me and then a week later eat out again?... it's not raining money.
Friday
Last minute I had an amazing idea to go to the park. First off I wanted to put Mila on her first swing, and two, I thought we could spend some family time together (immediate family time) hunting for Pokemon at the park... figuring out this Pokemon Go thing that has taken the U.S. by craze. I LOVED IT! Every moment. Afterward we ate out at Jose Peppers for Tamra's birthday, and then drove around Shawnee Mission Parkway and Johnson Drive to find PokeStops to collect more PokeBalls to collect more Pokemon. It's quite addictive.
Both of My Kids on the Swings
Mila's First Push on the Swing
Hunting for Pokemon
Saturday
Aldo had strange hours because of the holiday. And Saturday I wanted to get out and keep myself occupied so that I wouldn't get the birthday blues (everyone has their own things and can't celebrate me...). Randomly, I was invited to the town's apple orchard, which I never knew existed, by some old high school friends. So I packed up Luke and Mila early that morning and we went to pick apples. It was sort of weird because "my friends" didn't try to catch up with me much at all; I had more in common with the person I hardly talked to in high school and her husband, who I had never met. So yeah... awkward. But Luke and I enjoyed apple slushies and apple-flavored donuts. I bought some apple butter (which I thought would taste a ton better than what it tastes like... I was thinking of some apple spread that you put on bagels and it's kind of nutty too whereas this is more like a bitter apple jelly. Afterward I think we went home and I did some dishes and picked up the house. Woohoo <sarcasticly>.
Sunday
It's been so long since Aldo has been at church, it felt like a major holiday or special church event. And, Pastor's been preaching on The Lord's Prayer for a really long time, and this Sunday he deviated from it, so it felt really special. AND on my birthday. AND Mila stayed in the nursery for almost the entire time. Aldo had to leave for work afterward. I was so tired that I went back home and napped. Later Luke and I went back to the church for a picnic. Hardly anyone was there that I typically talk to. Instead, I was forced to talk some kids into coming to Wednesday nights, which I haven't even been going to. Ugh... I'm such a bad communicator when it comes to talking with teens.
Monday
Because we figured out how to have our own little family night on Friday, I was able to include mom and Mace in our zoo outing, but they recommended the Topeka Zoo, which I haven't been to in a long time (Grammy used to take us). It is the smallest zoo I have ever been to. Slightly bigger than a petting zoo, but it does have some exotic animals. Like the "mouse deer", which I had never heard of, but apparently Luke had, so it was nuts when Topeka ended up having those (and not zebras?). The day was nice. I think I may have gotten cranky for a brief moment due to the heat, but all in all I think everyone had a nice time and ended the day at the zoo at the perfect time. We were home for maybe an hour to rest up and move out mom's heavy, antique cash register. Then we went to Alina's birthday at the Cubbages. She had a Bob Ross party. (How fun does that sound?!) We ate potato and chicken tacos, and the kids played together in the living room. I chased Mila around for a verrry long time. And when Pastor Sheri and Dez showed up, we watched an old "home video" from when the church went on a trip to an Indian reservation. (Both Aldo and I were touched by it; we really miss our friend.)
Tuesday
Luke was still off of school, but Aldo was back on regular hours, so he went into work. Luke, Mila and I slept in (about an hour) and chilled all day long. When Aldo got home we went to (someplace I haven't eaten before) Carrabas because we had a gift card from years ago. According to the helpful hints and knowledge base we've aquired from watching Top Chef - Judge Luke said that the pepperoni pizza was too salty, I felt that the lobster ravioli could use some crunch, Judge Aldo liked the basil in whatever noodles he had, the appetizer's ratio of outer layer to mozzarella was off, and the pineapple cocktail drink (Aldo insisted I have it to relax) could have used more grenadine and pineapple.
So, I must admit, it hasn't been a bad celebration at all. Very laid back; not too much planned (more sporadic), which isn't really my style - but it worked!! Next year I think we should just plan to go on a small family trip - like to the lake or something. I did mention that it's been a while since I've been canoeing... And Aldo said he has never gone before. !!! And the wheels start turning...
Picking Apples (from trees & off the ground)
It's been so long since Aldo has been at church, it felt like a major holiday or special church event. And, Pastor's been preaching on The Lord's Prayer for a really long time, and this Sunday he deviated from it, so it felt really special. AND on my birthday. AND Mila stayed in the nursery for almost the entire time. Aldo had to leave for work afterward. I was so tired that I went back home and napped. Later Luke and I went back to the church for a picnic. Hardly anyone was there that I typically talk to. Instead, I was forced to talk some kids into coming to Wednesday nights, which I haven't even been going to. Ugh... I'm such a bad communicator when it comes to talking with teens.
Monday
Because we figured out how to have our own little family night on Friday, I was able to include mom and Mace in our zoo outing, but they recommended the Topeka Zoo, which I haven't been to in a long time (Grammy used to take us). It is the smallest zoo I have ever been to. Slightly bigger than a petting zoo, but it does have some exotic animals. Like the "mouse deer", which I had never heard of, but apparently Luke had, so it was nuts when Topeka ended up having those (and not zebras?). The day was nice. I think I may have gotten cranky for a brief moment due to the heat, but all in all I think everyone had a nice time and ended the day at the zoo at the perfect time. We were home for maybe an hour to rest up and move out mom's heavy, antique cash register. Then we went to Alina's birthday at the Cubbages. She had a Bob Ross party. (How fun does that sound?!) We ate potato and chicken tacos, and the kids played together in the living room. I chased Mila around for a verrry long time. And when Pastor Sheri and Dez showed up, we watched an old "home video" from when the church went on a trip to an Indian reservation. (Both Aldo and I were touched by it; we really miss our friend.)
With the Fam at Topeka Zoo
(Maecy, Mateo, Aldo, Mila, Mom, & Luke)
Our Most Recent Family Photo (I look scary though...)
What Is Wrong With Me???
Feeding the Zoo Birds
Luke was still off of school, but Aldo was back on regular hours, so he went into work. Luke, Mila and I slept in (about an hour) and chilled all day long. When Aldo got home we went to (someplace I haven't eaten before) Carrabas because we had a gift card from years ago. According to the helpful hints and knowledge base we've aquired from watching Top Chef - Judge Luke said that the pepperoni pizza was too salty, I felt that the lobster ravioli could use some crunch, Judge Aldo liked the basil in whatever noodles he had, the appetizer's ratio of outer layer to mozzarella was off, and the pineapple cocktail drink (Aldo insisted I have it to relax) could have used more grenadine and pineapple.
So, I must admit, it hasn't been a bad celebration at all. Very laid back; not too much planned (more sporadic), which isn't really my style - but it worked!! Next year I think we should just plan to go on a small family trip - like to the lake or something. I did mention that it's been a while since I've been canoeing... And Aldo said he has never gone before. !!! And the wheels start turning...
