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He’s A Keeper

I have always loved having a summer birthday.  Before I was completely awake on my 36th birthday, my 8-year-old son bound into my bedroom and pounced on me with a big, toothy, Happy Birthday!

When his sisters got up, he took the baby aside (she’s 2 and 9 mos, so not really a baby anymore, but I can’t break the habit) and told her what she was supposed to say.

The next thing I knew, she hurled herself at my legs with a big toddler hug and a "Happy Birthday!"  I guess my reaction was quite the seal of approval because throughout the rest of the day, she would break out with "Happy Birthday!" at every opportunity.

Around noon, a delivery truck stopped in front of our house, and a big box was delivered to my door.  It was clearly from Macy’s and ordered by my mother.  I was tempted to open it then and there, but I decided to for my birthday dinner with the family.  The kids love to help open presents.

My husband arrived home after work with a cake that I had ordered (hey, sometimes a girl’s gotta take the bull by the horns) and several bags of groceries.  I had told him earlier in the day that I didn’t want to worry about dinner, and I expected him to bring home pizza or cheese steaks.  But he took it upon himself to cook for me instead.

Now let me put this in perspective for you.  This man doesn’t cook.  (Although he did make me a banana cream pie early on in our dating relationship.  Funny how that event hasn’t repeated itself.)  These days, his repertoire basically consists of spaghetti (with jarred sauce) and grilled cheese sandwiches.  This works out fine because I like to cook. 

But Tuesday night, he did all the cooking while I sat on the couch and read a book.  (I was not allowed to participate except to answer the occasional question.  He even had the kids shucking corn and snapping green beans.)  At one point, he turned to me and said, "There’s a lot of blog fodder here."

Hey, he said it first!

Finally dinner was ready, and we all sat down to grilled chicken and sausages, fresh corn on the cob, and green beans.  The kids presented me with two envelopes.  One was from them — a ticket good for one free exterior car wash.  The other was from my husband, and this is what it said:

You see why I love this man?

And you see how well he knows me?  The "be reasonable" disclaimer was certainly warranted.  I could do a good bit of damage to the family finances with a half-day at the mall and no limit.  But I’ll be good.

Also, the green purse in the background was in the Macy’s box.  My mom had been reading my blog and knew I’ve been wanting a green purse.  She even made sure it met my "purse requirements".  They are quite specific.

We enjoyed our dinner and the cake afterwards.  Although I about had a coronary as my husband taught my son to light candles. 

And then let him carry the lit cake into the kitchen!

All in all, it was quite the happy birthday.  And I am DEFINITELY looking forward to my Saturday shopping expedition.  Who wants to join me?

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47 Responses

  1. Oh. I’M IN! Except I’m a little further away now… That may be problematic.

    What an awesome birthday! I’ll have to tuck some of those ideas away for later.

  2. Now that is my kind of present (the shopping thing). I would so much prefer to pick out my own gifts!

    It sounds like a beautiful day. The dinner was so thoughtful. You are a very blessed gal my friend!

  3. sounds like a terrific birthday…and wow what a great hubby…cooking supper and then shopping and unlimited??? WOW…
    can’t wait to hear about the shopping trip

  4. What a wonderful, WONDERFUL well-deserved birthday! (and I need to know, the kelly green bag? The object of my desire…where did you get it?)

    Happy Belated…hope there’s a slice of cake you can have for breakfast! 😉

  5. Hey, come on up this way, go the Clinton Crossing Outlets right off I-95! You could do some damage there, with moderation! What a great B’Day, so good, so lucky and definitly a keeper!

  6. Sounds perfect!

    And what is it with boys and fire? My son LOVES to light candles.

    And I literally gasped when the picture of your son came up with him holding the cake! But the look in his concentrated eyes is precious!

  7. I have to be the one who asks. Who cleaned up the kitchen afterwards? Because if my husband gets in my kitchen and starts “creating” (a very rare thing)…he refuses to clean. This is something that my oldest and I have serious issues about.

    What a gorgeous purse you now own! I think it fair to request the purse picture. You know…where it’s thrown over your shoulder and you pose all vogue-like.

    oh..HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

  8. What a fabulous birthday celebration! Your little boy is becoming a man with organizing the Happy Birthday proclamation and carrying that lovely cake! =) Ordering your own cake is a great idea too.

  9. Wow, I do like the hubby of yours. Now, only if he could hold some classes…I have one who would definitely be in attendance!

  10. OOH! Pick me! Pick me!
    I think I could be there…let’s see, 14 hours of flights, some drive time, ummmm…by Saturday? ::giggle::

    Seriously, Happy Birthday, again!!!
    Sounds like you have been crowned queen for the day, for sure!!!
    beck

  11. Happy Birthday again! What a wonderful day! So nice of your husband to cook dinner. And that cake looks wonderful – can I have a slice?

    I just got to do hours of shopping by myself on Monday afternoon – my husband worked from home and told me to go ahead. He let me shop ’cause I have a class reunion coming up and I am freaking out about what to wear. I did come home with stuff, but wasn’t real happy – I could not find anything that made me look 20+++ pounds slimmer! Sigh… I like shopping if it’s just for fun, but when you have specific ideas in mind, it’s very difficult.

    Hope you and your new purse have a great time shopping!

  12. Your husband ROCKS! That is awesome. Have fun shopping – you deserve it. I do wish I could come along. ; )

    And that purse – love the color. Your Mom did great too!

    Glad you enjoyed your Birthday!

  13. Happy Birthday!

    I will be following your birthday lead come the 16th.
    Altho my husband will prob get me a bag of Skittles & call it a day!

    LOL

  14. Happy Birthday! Sounds like you got the perfect day. I’m jealous…I always wanted a summer bday. Instead, I’m a new years baby and it’s no fun having a bday a week after Christmas. Everyone is partied out and broke!

  15. Now that is a good, good man! Those are the best birthdays…I think! Wish I could join you…but somehow, I think you are gonna do just fine by yourself! Can’t wait to see all your goods! Now that will make for a lot of great blog fodder 🙂

  16. Wow, that is some birthday. I was just shopping at Macy’s today. I bought a dress for a wedding. I should not have bought a dress, since I am still nursing. I figure she can take a bottle and then I can feed her in the car with half my dress off if I have to. The things we do for fashion/motherhood.

    I would so join you for shopping if I lived nearby. I’m hoping for a similar birthday gift in August. Love the purse too.

  17. Happy Birthday! What a fun day you had. And your husband scored some great points, looks like…what a guy. Im sure you feel blessed. 😉

  18. He cleaned up! 🙂 I actually had a bad stomach ache afterwards — my gastritis flaring up, I guess. So he did all the clean up while I rested.

  19. I’m curious, too: Who cleaned up?

    Awesome job on the presents from your thoughtful family. And I don’t know if it’s my pregnancy cravings or what, but that caked looked DEEEE-LICIOUS!!

  20. Sounds like a lovely, lovely day. I have never in my adult life had someone else provide a birthday cake for me either. But I guess that way we’re sure to get exactly what we want. 🙂

  21. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! If you had one of those paypal links on your sidebar Id donate some dollars for a nice cup of coffee while you’re at the mall! 🙂 Have a Great Week!

  22. Happy Birthday! Your family was so good to you! I love the idea of ordering your own cake. I think Im going to do that this year!

  23. I meant to send you happy birthday wishes on your real birthday, and then I got all caught up in my cat’s birthday, which as we have already discussed, is on the same day. I am a sad, sad excuse for a human.

    HBD! Your husband kind of rocks.

  24. Happy Birthday! I didn’t realize our birthdays were so close together. Mine was June 29th. But, I turned 40! I miss my 30’s already. Enjoy them while you can :o) And did I read that card correctly… NO LIMIT!!! Crazy!

  25. “No Limit” I can’t think of a better phrase to hear on your birthday. Sounds like you had a wonderful day with your family and will be able to have some wonderful alone time too.

    Happy birthday!

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