Today is my birthday.

The Big 4-0.

Ouch.

It's Monday.

It rained.

I think I could complain, but I don't want to and I really don't have a reason to. 

I slept in until 8 a.m.  I had Sweet Frog Yogurt for lunch with my best friend and our kiddos.  My hubby took me for snow crab tonight.  I had two Blue Moons (love Blue Moon).  They even had orange slices.

I had a piece of cheesecake.

Many friends took time out of their day to wish me happy birthday on social media whether that was a text, a tweet or a facebook post.  It's nice to feel loved.

I spoke to everyone in my family today. 

I laughed a lot.

My kids painted my nails, fixed my hair and made me breakfast.

They even hung streamers. 

And three cute balloons.

I am blessed.

Here's to at least 40 more years of blessings.

Dear Middle G.

Today you are 10.  Double digits.  It is hard to believe that you will soon be in the fifth grade.  I feel like I am holding the fleeting moments of your childhood in my hands and like sand they are quickly running through my fingers. 

Like I do ever year, I will attempt to offer you some life advice.  Advice that I'm sure will mean little to you until you have a child of your own. 

• Few Friendships last forever.  Lately there has been A LOT of girl drama in your life.  It is hard for me to keep track of who you like and who you don't like.  Who is fighting with who and who is friends with whom.  Friends will come into your life and friends will go.  Only a few will forever remain.  The trick is knowing when to hold on and when to let go.
• School matters.  I know you think that spelling is useless and that math is often difficult, but trust me it is worth the effort.  No matter your age, force yourself to learn something new.  Step out of your comfort zone and try something different.
• Be the friend you want to have.  I think I read this on a fortune cookie once and it makes a lot of sense.  Listen to what your friends are saying.  Offer to help them when you can.  Make them laugh often.  You will be surprised how quickly they will return the favor.
• Screaming and crying never help.  If you get lost, don't cry.  If you are stuck in a bus, don't sit around and scream.  If you can't find your car keys, swearing won't help.  (Okay, that last one was for me.)  What I'm trying to say is life is gonna throw you some curve balls, it is better to swing with your eyes open than to close them and start to cry.
• Figure out your passion.  Everyone has a gift.  Everyone has a purpose.  Figure out what yours is and pursue it.  Some people are lucky enough to get paid for their passion and others have to supplement their income.  But either way, never give up on your passion, be it art, music, teaching or inventing, find a way to incorporate it into your life.

As of today, your future plans include becoming an artist or a rock star and living in Chicago.  I'm sure if I ask you next month these plans could be different.  One thing I know for sure, no matter where life takes you, I will always be your Number #1 fan!  Cheering you on!

Happy 10th Birthday, Middle G.

All my love,

Mom (formerly known as mommy)

Today is Middle G's 9th birthday. Today was her last day of school. She has been done for less than one hour and is already bored. She is cracking me up.

How can she possibly be bored already?

Tomorrow is her birthday party. We are having it at the pool again. It is a monkey theme this year. Below is a picture of the invitation.



Keeping with the monkey theme I thought I'd share advice for Middle G., who's age continues to sneak up with me.

• Just keep swinging....at the ball, on the swing, everywhere. There is a lot to be said about persistence.
• Bananas are good for you. Eat a balanced diet. Especially if you feel your mood swinging around.
• Remember everyone comes with a few bugs. No one is perfect, not even you.
• Stick with your family. Sadly as we grow we start to take our family for granted. Remember when the going gets tough your family will never leave you behind.
• Have no fear. Take the leap and see what happens.
• Don't pick your nose or your butt in public.
• Be yourself and be proud of who you are.
• Bang your chest and let out a growl every now and then.
• And whatever you do, never throw your poop. Unless your in a forest and a grizzly bear is chasing you.

Happy Birthday, Middle G.

Love you forever,

Mommy

Dear Oldest,

On your 11th birthday I thought I would take this time to give you some motherly advice that you are sure to ignore until you yourself are a mother.

Nevertheless, I type.

Try to find joy in little things.  Like the taste of fresh snowflakes, the nuzzle of your favorite dog, the smell of your favorite soap, the plot of a great book.  Life tends to throw things at you that make you forget what's really important.

Never stop doing what makes you happy.  As we grow we forget how very important this is.  Take time to play in the snow; to get together with friends for play dates and to snuggle with the ones you love.

Many moons ago, I had a 7th grade teacher who used to say incredibly wacky things and make us repeat them regularly.  He'd say things like "Good, better, best, never let it rest until your good becomes your better and your better becomes your best."

Back then I thought he was quirky and odd but now I find him brilliant.  Never settle for anything less than your best.

Remember girls have the tendency to travel in packs.  Don't let the lead dogs bring you down.  If you feel like wearing a tiara on your birthday don't ever let anyone tell you not too.

And as always, wherever life may take you, I'm only a phone call, a text, an eye blink or a thought away.

Love,

Mom (formerly known as mommy)

Oldest and I spent the day together on Saturday. 

I'm happy to say that we had a great time.  She got a new tiara and some earrings and we saw the Percy Jackson movie with three of her friends.  They were all very well behaved and polite.

They helped me realize that I'm the average size of an 11-year-old.

No Joke.

It's only a few short years months until they are all bigger than me.
The movie was good, but deviated extensively from the book.  It was significantly  more predictable and if I was the author of the popular tween series I wouldn't have signed off on this screen play but to each their own.

The special effects were cool and all the tweens in attendance seemed to enjoy it.

What did you do this weekend?