Emma, my baby, my Tink, turned 9. That’s practically double digits. I better make this next year last.
Anyway, unlike most birthdays of recent years, we consolidated the festivities down to one day. But boy what a day it was. Started off with just Emma and me for breakfast over donuts. I left it up to her whether anyone else was invited. She decided against inviting others.
Unfortunately, we both have a thing for donuts
After lunch at the house, which Emma graciously allowed everyone to eat, it was present time.
Madysen is excited about present-time!
Remember how much Madysen cares next time you think about sending a card
Deciding which to open first is momentous
A tennis outfit
A tennis bag
A tiny paper tennis racket, so she can pick it out herself; I'm getting the sense that there's a tennis theme
Tennis rollerblades--wait, I'm confused
And some other stuff. So having eaten and opened gifts, it’s cake time! For whatever reason, I’m guessing because Speed was involved, the cake had two simple candles and a “7″ candle.
Cake with no icing? Now I'm really confused
Candle success except that the "7" fell (Speed's fault)
That’s a pretty decent birthday–and it’s not even 2 p.m. So all the kids and I go see Despicable Me in 3D. Man, I hate 3D. Really, we aren’t yet in a position to take advantage to the potential benefits it brings. I have to wear uncomfortable glasses to see the opening credits in 3-D and have some shard of glass fly in my direction?Meh. But I’m loosing this battle, clearly. Every movie preview was for a kid movie coming out in 3D.
But as for the movie, I would have loved it in 2D. I laughed a lot. I think Madysen was a little uncomfortable with how much I laughed.
That evening, Emma had her choice of restaurants for dinner. Kind of. She picked Red Lobster, which is where Holly and I worked in our salad days and neither of us have fond memories of the experience. I.e., we don’t think the food is any good. But I was fine with it. Holly, however, suggested (with just enough persuasion) Pappadeaux’s. So we did that.
And dinner was fine. They even brought Emma a turtle brownie thingy.
Yes, more sweet stuff crammed into one day!
The waitstaff doesn’t sing for birthdays, but Layla launched into a solo directing her voice over Holly’s shoulder to the Jonas Brothers sitting very close to us.
Oh, did I forget to mention that Kevin Freaking Jonas (!) (channeling Emma and Layla and Madysen and Holly (though they’ll deny it)) had been sitting at a table just feet away since midway through out dinner? Holy cow. There he was. Layla had the vapors. Emma had the vapors. Madysen tried to play it cool. Holly pretended like she only cared because the girls cared.
As we were leaving, Layla–more than a bit nervous–walked over his table, introduced herself, shook his hand, and asked for a picture. He was polite enough to indulge her, at which point Emma jumped up to get in the photo.
Surprised they didn't pass out from excitement
And while it is somewhat fitting that Layla’s wearing her family motto t-shirt “Go Big,” it would have been even better if she’d been wearing her Nick Jonas shoes (which she did have on at the movie) or her “Mrs. Nick Jonas” t-shirt.
Once in the car, I asked Emma if this was the best birthday ever. She replied: “Best day ever!–so far.” Not willing to put all her chips in as of yet.
Then we went to Toys R Us and looked a Webkinz and bicycles. Pretty weak ending.
Service!
I only made one game, so my photo library is limited
Holly is asking whether I’m taking a picture; “No,” I responded