One Year Older

Alyssa and I were showered with all sorts of birthday attention. After five full days of celebration, we are officially one year older.

Last Thursday, several of my friends treated me to my all-time favorite meal...Sunbreak Cafe's turkey bacon club omelet. This time of year, it comes with a massive slice of pumpkin bread which makes me almost as happy as having such a great group of friends.

Later that night we went to Olive Garden for Alyssa's birthday dinner since Jon had church obligations and wouldn't be able to go out on her actual birthday. She was thrilled with the "noodles and white sauce" but was slightly disappointed that they don't sing or offer free desserts to the birthday girl. But she was given two chocolate mints!

Friday morning, Alyssa dressed in her birthday duds, tore into the cards and gifts that had arrived by mail and headed off to school with that it's-my-birthday kind of excitement.

Natalie and I made a lunchtime visit where Alyssa opened her gift from Natalie, a new lunch sack which we'd stuffed with some Wendy's nuggets. We also delivered treats for her classmates.

After school we headed to the gym with cake in hand. She blew out the candles and shared the cake with her teammates.

Saturday was my day. I slept in late and woke to many thoughtful gifts. Jon surprised me with my favorite breakfast (the same one I'd had on Thursday) and my new favorite drink, a pumpkin spice steamer from Starbucks. Heaven! I was overwhelmed by so many thoughtful gifts and well-wishes from so many friends and family. I got all sorts of pumpkin flavored treats...pumpkin bread, pumpkin Steamer, pumpkin ice cream pies, pumpkin cupcake...all for me!

Alyssa and I had gymnastics meets on Saturday. Alyssa did very well on 3 of her 4 events and my team did fairly well. But the highlight may have been when Michelle and I won the handstand contest at the end of the meet. I've still got it, Baby! ;)

After the meet we made a stop at the Ward talent show where Alyssa and Nat performed some gymnatics and all in attendance sang "Happy Birthday" to me.

Then Jon and I headed out for a late birthday dinner. I got a crab club sandwich so I was again in heaven and glad to be celebrating my birthday with another of my favorite foods...and eating it with my favorite person.

Today was Alyssa's birthday party with her friends. We went with a Webkinz theme this year. It was sure a fun party!

They did a gem hunt to collect gems for their Webkinz Crown of Wonder. I put gems inside Bugles (to mimick the stalagmites in the online version) and glued them to poster board. They cracked them open with mini screwdrivers to find the gems.

They used the gems to make their Webkinz a Crown of Wonder. They were so cute!

Then it was time to spin the Wheel of Wow. Each spin either advanced their Webkin along our game path or awarded the spinner some Kinzcash (chocolate gold coins).

Once the winner reached the end of the game path and claimed her prize, the guests visited the W shop to spend their Kinzcash on some snacks. Chef Gazpacho (Caleb) had fun manning the store.

We broke out the last of our Chinese candles, which always adds extra excitement.

Alyssa got more thoughtful gifts and couldn't have been more thrilled with all her birthday attention.

Thank you all for your love and support of both of us. Your gifts, emails, cards and kind words meant so much to us. Our mantel overfloweth!

We're one year older and thankful for friends and family who made our day(s) great!