September 9, 2007

Yep, today was my birthday. 33 years old. It's the first time in my life I've actually felt older than I am.

Last night we went to the boardwalk with my parents. Ate dinner and let the kids go shopping for a present for me. I got pink Nike flip-flops and a pink shirt....can you tell Camryn was the one picking things out? They were perfect gifts though....things I'll actually get some use out of.

Today we went to church. I dressed the girls in matching dresses and even took the time to pick out a coordinating green polo for Dylan to wear. We were walking out the door when I looked down at Dylan and saw that he had chocolate milk all over his shirt. I got him a new shirt and then noticed it was all over his khaki shorts too....and even on his socks! And all over the carpet too. Apparently he decided to spit out every drink he took. So I had to change every piece of clothing he had on. In all the chaos I totally forgot it was even my birthday. Several people at church knew somehow though...I even got a couple of cards.

So we came home and I felt like shit from this cold I have. And Courtlyn still doesn't feel good either. So her and I laid down for a little while. When I got up I looked around at this house and decided I couldn't take it anymore. I made the kids lunch and started yelling that I was going to get rid of all the damn toys in the house. I think I even yelled the phrase "happy damn birthday to me" So the kids sat in their chairs staring at me while I had a breakdown and started bagging up their toys. When they finished their lunch I had them start helping me. We bagged up 5 lawn bags full of toys....no more Dora house (and the 100 pieces that go with it), no more Little People (and the 800 pieces with it), no more play kitchen (and food/dishes with it), no more playhouse tent, and a whole lot more. Once I cleaned all that out I was able to rearrrange some other stuff, like plants from the funeral. Overall I ended up in a much better mood because it made such a difference in this house. Even Camryn was happy with it. Our house hasn't looked this clutter free since Joe died. I used to always go through toys and clean things out, but I haven't felt up to it in a long time. It was way over due. Maybe now Dylan will start actually playing with things rather than just dumping them on the floor, and moving on to something else.

About the time we were finishing up my neighbors showed up with a present and cupcakes. So after dinner the kids sang happy birthday to me as I brought them their cupcakes. I felt too sick to even eat one....but they enjoyed them anyway.

Then before baths we cleaned up more toys, while Courtlyn proceeded to see if she could actually make my head explode with her screaming. I think she was real close to succeeding when I finally realized she had a dirty diaper. Seriously, how can this be my third child and I not know to check a damn diaper.

I eventually got them all bathed and in bed. And now its 10:30pm and I'm going to clean the bathrooms and do laundry. Happy damn birthday to me.