#thisis35 Birthday Weekend Snapshots

It was a whirlwind of a birthday weekend filled with so many wonderful things, I truly don’t know where to start! I admit, I’m not the best about coming in with real-time weekend recaps or life lately type updates, but this particular birthday feels deserving of it’s very own post. After a weekend like this, I’m reminded of how fortunate I am for the people in my life. Even today, it’s nearly impossible to wipe the smile off my face! Since it was such a memorable weekend, I thought it would be fun to share a few Birthday Weekend Snapshots to give you a glimpse into all the fun that went down!

Spoiler alert: T pulled off an epic birthday surprise with perfectly executed plans!

DATE NIGHT

The weekend kicked off on Thursday when my parents flew in to stay for a few days to help celebrate. They were so sweet to send us off for date night to celebrate Valentine’s Day and my birthday a little early.

The boys were thrilled to have a Mimi & Papa night and we were just as excited to have a nice, quiet dinner out. And there’s something about having family babysit where you don’t feel the pressure of rushing through a meal or plans to get home to relieve the sitter.

They were staying overnight anyways, so a relaxing 2 hour, interruption-free dinner sounded dreamy! With 3 kids, it’s not every year we get to celebrate Valentine’s Day and my birthday separately, so this year, I’m all for it!

BOW CUFF BRACELET || GOLD SQUARE BEADED BRACELET

We ate at Wildfire, one of our top, go-to date night restaurants. We literally get cravings for their chopped salad and dirty martinis. Filet Medallions for me and the Steakhouse Salad for T. 😉

FAMILY VALENTINE’S DAY

My boys in their red with their valentine’s loot bags giving each other smooches! 😍

Friday was blistery and cold, so we ordered pizza in, indulged in brownies & ice cream for Valentine’s Day and then had family game night. The boys have been into charades lately, so we played “Heads Up” using the app and had a ball.

45  minutes of fun and lots of laughs watching back the videos that were captured during each round. I highly recommend checking it out! This is another favorite we like to play when we’re all together!

[THIS! This is what I want to remember!

I try to take as many pictures as I can of moments like these. Those post-it notes or scrap pieces of paper with scribbles on it that tend to get lost in the shuffle and eventually thrown away. They are only little ones who so innocently misspell their words for so long.]

Saturday was going to be a busy day, but little did I know it was going to be a long night, too!

MARGARITAS FOR LUNCH

The biggest’s basketball game, a solo mani / pedi [so relaxing!], a Mexican and Margs lunch with my mom, sister and mother-in-law followed by a little shopping afterward. 

When we got back home to start getting ready for dinner, I was greeted with flowers, cake, chocolate-covered strawberries balloons, champagne, handmade cards & gifts all sprawled out on the table set-up by my 4 favorite guys 😉

They totally outdid themselves.

FAMILY DINNER

I thought it would be fun to check out a new-ish restaurant in town, Scotty’s for my birthday dinner and it did not disappoint.

Delicious appetizers, yummy drinks, lovely entrees and topped off with the most delightful chocolate cake.

LACE TRIM CAMI || LEATHER JACKET || CHARM NECKLACE || HORN NECKLACE || GOLD CUFF BRACELET

It’s safe to say our dinner was an all-around success!

Everyone voted for a nightcap, but due to my splitting headache and barely being able to keep my eyes open at 8:30, I halfheartedly agreed to making one more stop. It was 6 against 1, so I was hoping my headache would fade and I’d catch a second wind.

Or at least enough of a wind to make it to 9 pm ha!

JUST ONE MORE?!

We headed to Main Street and gathered around a couple sofas at one of my favorite cocktail lounges to settle in for one more.

Right before we ordered, I got a text from a friend saying she and her husband had gotten a last-minute sitter, had dinner out and were going to have a drink nearby.

It’s rare that we are out and get spontaneous texts like that [or so I thought], so we packed up and headed down the street. 

We walked in, headed upstairs  and to my sheer and utter surprise, all of our friends were waiting there for me to celebrate!

I gasped.

I was speechless.

You guys, they got me GOOD! Ted got me GOOD! My family got me GOOD! I had absolutely zero inkling and the fact that the plans fell into place so perfectly, was unimaginable!

It was a flawless surprise without a single hitch! 

To have so many special people gathered in a room for you when you had no part in planning or coordinating their presence, is truly remarkable.

LACE TRIM CAMI || LEATHER JACKET || CHARM NECKLACE || HORN NECKLACE || GOLD CUFF BRACELET

I am so incredibly blessed and thankful for all the smiles, laughs, cheers and memories made that night.

Bedtime waaas pushed back a bit, but totally worth it!

A LONG WEEKEND

Sunday morning greeted me with snuggles & kisses from three little boys, allll the coffee and a lazy morning before more celebrating – a bridal shower for one of my college girlfriends.

And the cherry on top, was an extended weekend since everyone was off work and school for President’s Day. I took my Mom and Dad to the airport, then we played connect 4 and watched Charlie & the Chocolate Factory with the boys. 

And when 8 pm rolled around we settled in to watch Homeland from Sunday night. So excited it’s back for the final season!

I’m not sure if it’s turning a year older or the fact that it was non-stop for 4 solid days, but getting back into the normal routine took me a bit 😉

I’m grateful for another trip around the sun full of surprises, adventures, wonderful people, margaritas for lunch and chocolate any time of the day!

I have a feeling 35 isn’t going to be so bad.

If you like reading some of these more personal posts, you can see the rest over the years here.

Now, off to play catch-up [and relax!] after this extremely eventful birthday weekend! #thisis35