Birthday Celebrations

I had a birthday this week, so of course, as it goes with birthdays in the Black house, the boys were very, very excited. All week, they have been drawing me birthday pictures and singing happy birthday to me.

Asher was so excited about my birthday presents. He had a hard time keeping them a secret (which he usually does pretty well). He never actually told me what I was getting for my birthday. He did, however, whisper (ever so quietly) to me what Daddy might like for his birthday (which is not for another 9 months). Several times this week Asher came up to me and whispered, "Mommy, I think Daddy would like new sun glasses for his birthday." The one that sort of "showed his hand" was when Asher whispered, "Mommy, I think Daddy would like a new skirt for his birthday." Shocking, I know... I got new sunglasses and a skirt for my birthday.

So the morning began with opening presents. Then Vince and the boys made me a carrot cake.

All the boys have had nicknames throughout their childhood. Ezra has been String Bean, or Beaner. Obed is Boo-Boo-Bear or Bo-Bo. Asher used to be Meatball, then Smasher (due to his tendency towards clumsiness). Meatball and Smasher evolved into Smash Burger. Imagine his surprise and delight when we moved to a city that has a restaurant called Smash Burger! That being said, we went to Smash Burger for lunch for my birthday. Obed was ready to go... although he didn't quite get the right shoes on.
The boys enjoyed Smash Burger... but really, how can you not enjoy a good hamburger and fries (every once in a while that is).

The boys thought the thing I would enjoy most for my birthday would be a picnic and camp-out on the living room floor (they must not know about things like pedicures, massages, or nice meals out yet - although the picnic and camping on the living room floor might be a close second).
We then had birthday cake (which was so yummy! Kudos to my husband for being a great cook!!). I forgot to buy more birthday candles so either A) We used the candle I had, which just happened to be the left over Lightening McQueen candle from Asher's birthday or B) I LOVE McQueen. So much so, in fact, that it was the only candle I truly wanted on my cake so as to show off my love for McQueen (I'll let you choose A or B).
After our picnic and cake, we roasted a few marshmallows over the fire, as would occur with any good camping experience.

Then it was camping time. Ezra and Asher are still chatting away in the tent as I type. Obed? Well, Obed lost the privilege of sleeping in the tent after he was in and out of the tent about 12 times, crawling on top of Ezra and Asher, throwing their animals out of the tent and just being a 2 year old sleeping in a tent, so he is currently asleep in his room. Maybe this summer he will be ready for a real camping trip (at least it was good practice, eh?).
All in all, a fun day with lots of memories for the boys. I'm grateful for my boys who want to make my birthday special for me. I truly am blessed!