My 31st Birthday

Now that I've found the thing that plugs the camera into the computer I can update with some pictures. :) So, here's what happened on my exciting birthday.

We planned on helping our worship pastor and his family move that morning but first the boys wanted to give me their gifts. Asher picked out a green blanket (after he'd asked me several days earlier what my favorite color was - and he remembered!). And Phin got help from Dad at picking out a DVD.

While we were on our way to the worship pastor's new house with some of their belongings, we stopped at our Realtor's house to borrow their friend's mo-ped. I've never ridden a mo-ped and Jonathan wanted to get some things crossed off my "while-I'm-30-list" so he arranged a mo-ped for me to try. :) And I have to say that I loved it. I would love to have one to run errands in but I would need a side-car for my boys and a trailer for groceries. :)

After we helped finish with the move (well, we didn't finish, we left early) we went to Ada Hayden to kayak. Yet, another thing I've never done. :) And again, it was something that I didn't think I'd enjoy, but I really did. When the guy told us we had an hour I was wondering what we would do for an hour in this little boat, but time went by so quickly. It's great exercise, a nice way to get sunburn a tan, a great way to spend time with Jonathan (perfect for a guy - talking while doing something outdoors), and just a fun thing to do. Jonathan had arranged for a student to watch the boys at the park while we were on the water. And they found that on a super-hot day, the water fountains make for a great way to get wet. Thanks, Kathryn for watching the boys. :)

After a quick drive-through lunch, we went to Moore Park for our Banana Derby. Jonathan got this great kit at Wal-Mart. You decorate a piece of fruit (bananas) with stickers from the kit, wheels, a driver and then RACE! It was hilarious. We were all pretty proud of our bananas. But I have to say they didn't race down the hill like I imagined they would. If the wheels were even a little bit off, they went straight off the path into the grass. But we still had fun.

There was a wedding at the park and the bride and groom were pretty cute telling us they'd never seen anything like it, and neither had we. :) We decided to let the boys burn off some energy while we were at the park and they were yelling, jumping, climbing and sliding on the playground equipment. Then some annoying bridal party members informed us that they had reserved the "whole park." And asked us if we could leave. First of all, you're at a public park. You can reserve a shelter, not the whole park, and Moore Park is HUGE. It has walking trails all over and they go through people's backyards next to the park. It was really stupid and I was mad so we just left. Second of all, who asks people to leave a playground for their wedding. It's not our fault that they picked a public location to get married. And it wasn't even close to starting the wedding. They were just taking pictures, there were no guests, and the bride was down by the water getting her pictures taken. So, that was annoying and I was mad but we still had fun. :)

Then when we got home I got to open the rest of my presents. I got some of my favorite treats: pistachios, Peanut Butter Captain Crunch, Double Stuff Oreos. And then there was a box at the bottom wrapped in newspaper. It was from Jonathan. And it was a power sander! :) So now I have to get to work.

Jonathan found some wonderful babysitters for the evening and he took me to dinner in Des Moines. It was a great local place called Flying Mango! It was great cause we could eat outside, we enjoyed great food, and we really felt like we "got away" for my birthday.

 

On Sunday after church, we finally had birthday cake. The boys could hardly wait to have cake so we ate it before lunch. :) And they were a little disappointed there wasn't balloons cause that's what makes a party at our place - cake and balloons.

I had a wonderful birthday. Jonathan made me feel so special and young with all the adventures he planned. The boys were so excited and loved all the secret-keeping that is involved in a birthday. Here's to more adventures in my 30's!!