I say it’s my birthday

Happy birthday to me! The day is drawing to a close, and I have to say, it’s been a pretty good one.

I started my day with a run, which took a little motivation, but felt good in the long run. It was all part of my strategic plan (more later). The morning prep went well, and after dropping Noah off at school, Caden and I headed to the mall. I sat and sipped my Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks while Caden played with the Thomas train set at Barnes & Noble. We then headed down the mall to take care of a return and an exchange. It was kind of fun to slowly (sometimes very slowly) make our way through the mall, and Caden was pretty well-behaved, except for a little screaming jag in Victoria’s Secret. I had to remind him several times about my birthday wish. He remembered-“Good boys.”

We picked up Noah, then headed home for lunch. Caden actually ate his green beans, so I considered lunch a huge success! It was then time for the boys to take their nap. I had Caden pee on the potty (“like a big boy” aka standing up), which was very important since he was still dry from the morning! I then had him sit to try to poop (sorry for the turn this post is taking!). He usually says he’ll “go pee like a big boy, but not poop.” We try to get him to try to poop. I tried to get him to sit longer than 5 seconds, but he started screaming at me, then coughing in my face, after I repeatedly told him to cover his mouth! So I walked away. I went upstairs to read some stories to Noah, then went back downstairs to find Caden still sitting on the potty, reading a book. It was actually pretty funny! He said he was done, so I sent him up to bed.

During the boys’ naps, I had some time to myself. I folded laundry (life goes on, even on your birthday!) and had a nice conversation with my aunt in Santa Fe. It was soon time to wake up the boys to go to an early dinner at Applebee’s with Andy and my parents.

Once the boys were up, I had Caden use the potty again, because he was still dry! I made him sit to poop again, and once more, he protested. I again walked away, threatening to leave him here while the rest of us went to dinner. He got upset, and I went about getting ready to go. I told Caden he was ruining my birthday (can kids be scarred this early from completely inappropriate guilt trips by their mother?) and Noah sweetly offered to give me a hug. I called up to Caden to see if he was coming, and he said “Yes, but I just pooped on the potty!”

Noah and I looked at each other with surprised expressions, then ran upstairs to see. HE POOPED! IN THE POTTY!!! Noah and I started to scream and cheer, and Caden seemed really proud of himself. We got him cleaned up, put him in some big-boy undies, then came downstairs where I rewarded Caden with 4 pieces of candy corn. That’s a big deal to him! Noah and I kept celebrating.

It was time to go to Applebee’s for a Riblet basket (yum!) and a pomegranate margarita (double yum! but not a great idea just before photo class!). Dinner could have been better, but the boys have problems keeping their voices down when Matchbox cars are involved. I rushed off to class, and part-way through class, realized I could have skipped it. It was drier than usual, and the depressant factor of my margarita was working against me! But I made it, and I got home earlier than expected.

I came home to enjoy my birthday treat-a Jimmy Square from Shaker Baker, a local bakery. A Jimmy Square is a piece of moist chocolate cake, frosted on 5 sides, then covered in jimmies. YUM! This was where my strategic plan comes into effect. I kept running this morning, rather than walking, because I kept thinking about this Jimmy Square. I pushed myself to burn some extra calories so there was room for my Jimmy Square! While eating, Andy and I laughed our way through “The Office” and the “Saturday Night Live” Thursday show.

Throughout the day, I’ve been checking my email, and falling more and more in love with Facebook. I’ve received lots of birthday wishes on my page, and it’s great. I’ve gotten birthday texts, as well as calls. I’ve gotten several birthday cards, including a wonderful picture drawn by Noah of me, Noah, and Caden, along with Caden’s little blue blankie and his big blue blankie, as well as a picture drawn by Caden on the other side of a purple whale, an orange whale, and a brown whale (according to Caden). I feel pretty loved.