I had a WONDERFUL day!

I can not think of a better way to have spent my birthday.

No, I did not get breakfast in bed. Matter of fact I didn't have breakfast at all. Which is a first for me. I N.E.E.D. coffee and food in the mornings.

I didn't even get to read the paper. We had a lot to do before the show...

On Saturday we had my two nieces and nephew and their Daddy over. I hadn't seen them since Christmas. My sister and I don't talk, which is ridiculous but we're not talking about that today.

It was Thomas' weekend with the kids and he called and asked if they could all come over.

I was very excited to see them. Until the screeching started. I did tell you about the screeching right? There is a ginormous discipline issue with my sisters kids. They cry and scream and she gives in. To everything. They want a toy...screech. They don't want to eat salad...screech. They want Daddy to ignore what he's doing and play with them...screech! Now I can understand the last one, they miss Daddy...but Thomas came to have Rob help him with car issues and because he wasn't insight of the 3 year old, Pres was carrying on like you wouldn't believe. My Nick said yelling to be heard "Oh, I hate when he screams! I can't hear nothings." Nick is sensitive that way. He doesn't like anything loud. This is double for his cousins I guess, because at 7PM he kept telling them "It's time you goes home now." Poor Thomas wasn't in a rush to go...

One thing I know for sure: I love those kids, but they have all been poisoned against me because not one even the 12 year old would talk to me unless I asked a direct question to them, for the most part they all played together and weren't seen unless there was screeching. They really didn't like me when we sat down to eat and they had to actually SIT DOWN and EAT what was on their plate. It was night and day from normal. I can only hope that if Thomas continues to bring them around they will see with their own eyes that I am good to them and not some evil ogre I'm made out to be.

We were all worn out form their visit.

My kids woke me up wishing me a happy birthday. Rob whisked them off downstairs to sign my card they had chosen. They also bought me a salad chopper set from Target. Don't buy it. It doesn't work. I tried it. It chopped the lettuce into tiny pieces but left everything else in huge chunks. I'm taking it back. Nina had picked a scrapbook card. Which is why I was able to shower/dress/curl my hair without being interrupted! They we working so hard on the card.

Also on Saturday I learned I'm DONE with gas stoves. The new one I just got gave me quite a scare and I am d.o.n.e. I went to light the biggest burner. It clicked and clicked and then suddenly a huge fire ball poofed in my face. The other side lights fine and the back one won't light. I'm done. We are expecting a call today to replace it with electric. (deep breath) I can't wait!

So that's where we needed to run before the show...drop the kids off and hit the appliance store.

We headed downtown St. Paul and ate brunch at the St. Paul Grill. Ooh, fancy. The Cinnamon rolls were the size of our heads! and free mimosas. Oh it was so good. We had "hash" but really it was tender chunks of beef with chunks of potatoes and pepper with scramble eggs on top. I've never seen hash like that before!

It was show time...

My review:

I enjoyed The Color Purple. I can't think of a better way to have spent my birthday! It was wonderful. We had great seats, the last row of the front middle section.

If I hadn't seen the movie I probably would have gotten lost. The lyrics were hard to understand and keep track off. The part I enjoyed most was anytime Sofia was on. Oh, goodness she was a riot. Just tough and big. She had this scene wear she just met Mister and was drinking some lemonade and she drank it bending backwards...she was a big girl and could move her body like no body's business. Loved her. The fill in for Mister wasn't believable for me. I could tell he was acting...

I also liked the African dancing part...Rob thought that part was too long.

It is not one I'd need to see again. Unlike the Jersey Boys, I could see that 15 times in a row and would never be tired of it. I enjoyed The Color Purple. I enjoyed being with Rob. I wish I could have season tickets...

Legally Blonde is coming the end of April and I'm going to see about getting rush tickets...

After the show we headed back home to meet up with the kiddos and Rob's brother, Chris and sister in law, Stacey.

We went to Buca. My favorite place. I was not hungry though. Something new for me.

It was a lovely day spent doing the things I most love...being with my Husband, seeing a show and being with my children and family that loves me.

I can't think of a better way to have spent my 35th birthday!!!

I'm sorry I didn't take any picture of the food...especially the cinnamon roll. I have a feeling though we'll go back for that.

Here is Rob and I outside the St. Paul Grill. That white bag behind me is the rest of the cinnamon roll. Yeah, that big!So to make up for the stupid salad chopper, Rob bought me a souvi from the show. I picked this purple coffee cup. (The picture doesn't do it justice) What better way to remind myself of my day? Normally I'd get a magnet for the refrigerator, but I just cleaned half my old magnets off it and the cup was SO pretty.Here we are outside Buca, again AFTER we ate. Tonight we are having take-out left-overs!

I love my family. It was a WONDERFUL DAY!