26- the year where I stopped wanting presents

I couldn't think of a single "thing" I wanted this year. I just had lots of things I wanted to DO like take a nap- and a shower for that matter. If you had told me when I was younger that I wouldn't be able to think of any presents I wanted for my birthday I would have told you that was crazy. I must be getting old and boring or my "love language" is changing! I decided I wanted some time to myself, some time with my husband, and some fun outings with the kids. I outdid myself getting all three of those things and I made my birthday last an entire week!

My favorite 26 things from my 26th birthday-

Saturday 1 yummy birthday lunch with my in-laws complete with my favorite chocolate cheesecake!

Sunday evening- 1 mysterious flower delivery. These appeared on the doorstep with a note telling me happy birthday and thanking me for doing an enrichment the week before. I love flowers and a little mystery!

Monday-The BIG Day

-3 hours- count them, I said 3- as in 180 minutes- of KIDS-FREE fun shopping (Thanks Kori!)

-Coming home to

1 spotless kitchen

1 swept and mopped floor

1 vacuumed house (Thanks Marti!)

It was nothing short of a miracle and the best gift to have time to myself and a clean house.

-1 yummy Paradise Bakery lunch.

-1 fun family home evening at the park and take-out Chinese for dinner.

-1 day of no cooking!

-4 phone calls from my parents and siblings I didn't see that day. I'm always impressed even my brothers always remember to call.

-1 Facebook wall-full of birthday wishes and a few texts from old friends.

Tues- 1 glorious weather park day- the park is one of the only places I can take my kids fairly easily. Charlotte loves it, all the other nice mothers always help hold my babies, and I get some adult conversation and a reason to get dressed before noon. And it happens every week!

Wed-1 successful library story time with all three kids for the first time. I used to take Charlotte all the time- we've both missed them. I was finally brave enough to attempt the packed toddler time alone. Abby slept through it, Oliver wanted held but was really great, Charlotte seemed to have fun. Except for Charlotte telling me she had to poop during the whole thing it went remarkably well!

Thurs-1 fun play date. Cortney and Easton came to sew and play.

Fri-1 carousel ride

1 mini-train ride (Thanks Vicky and Megyn!)

We went to the railroad park in Scottsdale in the morning. Three park days in one week was pretty awesome for Charlotte too- you would have thought it was her birthday. It was her first time on the rides and she loved them both.

1 long-overdue new hairdo and style. This is the first time it's been cut since the twins have been born. I chopped it and I got bangs. I haven't had bangs since I was 16- 10 years ago, crazy that 16 was that long ago. I'm really liking it so far. (Thanks again Marti!)

Sat- 1 beautiful afternoon Cheesecake factory lunch on the patio

1 perfectly sweet and sour strawberry lemonade

1 Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake

and 1 cute husband all to myself with no kids to feed or hold while we ate! (Thanks to Audrey and Dillon)

I really called in all my babysitting favors- I won't be able to leave the house again until March- but man did I live it up last week. In a very mid-twenties-I-have-three-very-young-children-and-I-needed-a-break-from-the-daily-routine-kind-of-way.