Happy Birthday, Cha Cha Cha!

Today is February 1st, my birthday, and Maya came over for the day to help me celebrate! Since she had to come quite early, she came in her pajamas, which had hearts on them. After breakfast, she wanted to wash her hands, (which really means "play in the water")...


Maya loved smelling the beautiful flowers she and her parents gave me...


Jack and Eli called this afternoon and sang Happy Birthday to me, and there were a few adults who wished me a happy birthday , also. That reminded me of my birthday last year, when Lauren and I were in Minneapolis to visit Erin and her family. They took us to Buca di Beppo, or Bucas, for short, which is a delicious Italian restaurant in the Minneapolis area. Here's a couple of pictures from that b-day...



Buca's is a very eclectic place to eat, with several small rooms to dine in. Our room had only 4 or 5 tables, and when they brought out cake ( I did NOT eat all of that myself!) the entire room sang happy birthday! Jack and I were enjoying the other families singing, as someone in the crowd added the "cha cha cha" to Happy Birthday that I always sang with my school children. It was a bit of a boisterous moment, but being at Buca's does that to you! Notice the candelabra and the checkered tablecloth, and the walls are covered with old photos. The service is fantastic and everyone is warm and friendly.

Eli was only 11 months old at the time, and he appears to be ordering from the menu in this photo...


My birthday this year is a little quieter, but just as wonderful. Lauren and I went to Sara and Mark's to celebrate last night and had a delicious meal and angel food cake. Tonight, we will have a quiet dinner at home and I'll probably crash on the sofa after chasing a 21 month old around all day, but it has been a Happy Birthday, Cha Cha Cha!