More about my fabulous birthday

My birthday week and a half has been pretty great so far this year. Last year was...less than great and I was ready for some attention to me. I got it! Even though Manuel was out of town all last week, my dear friends celebrated with me the day before my birthday - we had a potluck lunch and ate too much melted cheese and cake and watermelon. The temps were cold for March (high 50!) and rainy so the kids didn't go outside in Wendi's cool back yard, but they played well together inside and it was all very very lovely. Just what I wanted :) That evening our neighbors invited me and the girls over for supper so we had even MORE attention (ok, it wasn't "Tamara's birthday dinner a la Elaine and Gerard" but it was still fun to be social and with friends. Plus, food was good!).

Friday lunch the girls and I went to Green with Jennifer for some vegetarian fare. The food was very good. Catherine begged fruit off another table's plate (so proud!), and when I ordered her the same fruit salad she proceeded to eat exactly hardly any of it at all. I should have had it served by the lady sitting behind us so Catherine would eat it.

By afternoon I was ready to chew off my arm and beat something with it. I WAS DONE WITH MY WEEK OF SINGLE PARENTING!!!! Friday afternoons are difficult, anyway. But that day was particularly rough. Manuel's flight arrived home late (surprise!) but we had a nice Thai dinner once he come home.

Saturday I left Manuel and the girls for a full 12 hours of MOMMY ALONE TIME! The first since Catherine was born almost two years ago, and one of a handful of 12 hour breaks since Mapi was born 5 years ago.
Must. Do. This. More. Often. I am *so* taking a weekend trip sans kids once Catherine weans (whenever that is!). Saturday's outing included a trip up to Austin to check out thrift stores (so fun!), lunch at IHOP (Annie and I both really wanted this!) and dinner in SA at a little Tex-Mex place. Fun, fun, fun. And really relaxing to not be in charge of anyone but me :)

Sunday afternoon Trey and family came up to mom's house, where we all had dinner to celebrate ME. You could tell it was a birthday because mom actually busted out the brownie mix and made us fattening dessert. YUMMMMMMM.

I am hopeful this Saturday Mom will watch the kids while Manuel and I go on a date, a fine ending to 10 days of All About Me.