Another year older...

This past Tuesday was my birthday. I'll admit it. Though I really hate the attention. Its not that I mind being another year older...I just don't like to be the center of attention. And, in fact, the ONLY reason I agreed to a shin-dig with a group of friends (that I'll mention later in this post) is because there was another birthday girl I got to share the spotlight with. ;)

Anyway, so Tuesday was the big day. Nothing too special. I agreed to sub for the girls' teacher at school, so I spent my morning there. It was kinda nice, though, when I showed up she had all the kids lined up in the dark with a candle lit and they all started singing "Happy Birthday" to me as I walked in. They had all made me this sweet card. Awww....!!! (I'm not even sure how they knew it was my birthday??)

Then I get home and Brad had filled the kitchen with balloons and flowers...and presents!

I got this cool gadget for my phone/car. I won't go describing all the cool features...if you're interested, go read the description on the link. :P But suffice it to say, it's cool! And earlier in the week, my mom had given me a new case for my phone that I've been coveting. And it is the best case ever! Brad even likes it better than his Otterbox, though he probably won't admit it publicly. ;P From the other parental units, I got some cash, which is always enjoyable. ;)

Then I told Brad (jokingly) that a great birthday present would be to be lazy the rest of the day and have someone else take care of the girls. Next thing I knew, he had taken off work the rest of the day to surprise me! :-D

So we spent the rest of the afternoon being lazy, then off to bible study, where they had a nice cake for me and several bday cards.

All in all a great way to spend my birthday! :)

Then, later in the week, my friends, as I mentioned, threw me and another birthday girl a little 'party'. It was great fun and the decorations and cake were so cute!

The food was divine...we had an Olive Garden style meal, complete with chicken alfredo (and the other dish I forget the name of..sorry E!), salad and breadsticks and Italian margaritas! yum!

After dinner, here they are setting the cake on fire (and it still wasn't nearly enough candles to cover both of our birthdays! ha!)...

And here's the whole group of the great friends that put this together! (well, minus one who left before we remembered to take the picture. doh!)

Thanks to everyone for all the fun bday celebrations and the fun times!