Happy 35th Birthday to Me

What a wonderful day it was, full of my favorite things.

I slept in late. Then mom and I went to tea at First Ladies Tea Room in downtown Canton. We even wore hats and of course took lots of pictures. The tea was fantastic, I had Earl Grey de la Creme and Mom had Cinnamon Orange Spice.

Then thanks to my dear friend Erika and her fabulous present of relaxation and pampering I spent the afternoon at the Amadeus Spa. I was treated to a facial and make-up lesson. The facial was one hour of bliss. My skin feels radiant. Then the make-up was just girly fun. I learned new tricks for lip stain and that my eye lids are oily. Who knew?

Then tonight I had dinner with Mike, Rocio and the boys. We went to Quaker Steak & Lube for my favorite, chicken wings. We laughed, we ate, I got a glorious new red purse.

It was an unexpectedly wonderful day. I didn’t have high hopes or expectations of the day, but it was god. I got lots of love on Facebook from friends near and far.

Turns out turning 35 wasn’t so painful afterall.

Filed under: Uncategorized , birthday, brother, facebook, facial, family, Friends, make up, relaxation, rest, spa

Day 2 – Solo Weekend with the Nephews

Today was Mikey’s 11th birthday. It’s a lot of pressure to make a child’s birthday spectacular in absence of his parents. Mikey is an aloof, moody pre-teen.  He doesn’t get excited about a whole lot and usually complains about everything. LOL. Gotta love the awkward age. But its a true joy when you can pierce through his burgeoning coolness and get ahold of the 1/3 of him still a child and bring out the glee. That was my quest.

During a hearty breakfast of waffles and milk we forged a plan for the day. We finally decided on the Rock-N-Roll Hall of Fame and a big fancy mall in Cleveland. Mikey is a music fiend and was anxious to see what’s there. Unfortunately road construction slowed our roll and it took us nearly two hours to make the 45 mile trek north. It was funny, but the roadblock proved to be an adventure. Mikey and Jordy wanted to me to pretend that we were in Midnight Run and mow through traffic on the shoulder. We didn’t but we did venture to parts unknown to find our ways past the mess. They were satisfied with the mini-adventure and it also afforded the opportunity to car dance. Never enough opportunity to do that. We laughed and had a great time.

However, the Rock-N-Roll Hall of Fame was not as much fun for us at the traffic on the way up. The boys were bored in like five minutes and keep asking where the interactive exhibits were. I think they had more fun on the escalators and the giant guitars in the lobby than they did the museum. So we left after about an hour. I don’t not recommend the Rock-N-Roll hall of Fame for children. They didn’t even know who any of the artists were and nothing of interest for them.

To redeem the day we went to the Zoo, when in doubt go to the animals. They loved it. We saw rhinos, bats, snakes, leopards, lions, oh my. There was lots to play on, run by and sit near.  They even rode a camel. I actually saw the illusive Mikey smile several times. We had a blast and again we were exhausted. They slept all the way home and it was all I could do to stay awake.

We had his birthday dinner at Red Robin, where he got to eat off the adult menu, the kid’s menu is for those 10 and under. In spite of many protests we still have them come and sing. He loved it.

So it was a good birthday in deed. Its amazing how the unplanned moments are the best. I’m also amazed at how much work it is to take care of kids. They suck every ounce of energy out of your body. I can hardly think. I have a new found respect for mothers, working mothers and especially single mothers. I think I heard, “Aunt Marti” said about 9,000 times today. Getting them to bed bring a sigh of relief and a giant collapse on the couch. I am mentally, physically and emotionally tired. But having Mikey enjoy his day was worth it and priceless.

Filed under: Mi Familia , animals, birthday, children, nephews, Red Robin, Rock-N-Roll Hall of Fame, zoo

Happy 10th Birthday Mikey

Today my beautiful, first-born, nephew turns 10.

It is amazing to watch him grow, discover, explore and learn. He is inquisitive and curious. At the end of this school year (4th grade) he was accepted to the gifted arts program for the 5th grade. That means he will be in middle school a year early to participate. What he’s excited about is the long ago promise his dad that to provide a cell phone once he hit middle school. He’s thrilled.

One thing I’m amazed at with him is what a tender, sweet soul he is. I always feel overwhelmingly loved when he comes to cuddle with me. It isn’t every time I see him. He’s way to cool for that. It happens in completely random moments and oh so great when it does.

A relationship with Mikey is a fulfilling one. He is learning how to give and receive. One of my favorite things about him is his imagination. He is constantly inventing things to make life easier. Once he gets to know you and your needs he will start to look for things that will solve those needs. He knows my dad and I are diabetic. So one day he watched a 60 minute infomercial on these new glucometers that draw less blood and provide reports you can download to your computer. After watching all of it he wrote down the phone number and web site and gave it to me to investigate.

He is a wonderful young man, no longer a boy, he informed us today. He’s leaving next Sunday for church camp, his first week away from home. It’s already starting – the pulling away from family. Soon his cries of – come be with me – will change to – get away from me. I can’t bear the thought. I want him to stay little FOREVER.

It’s amazing how much I love and worry about him. I worry about a 10 year old in middle school. I worry about the influence of 8th graders on him. I worry he’ll be exposed to things beyond his maturity level. And I’m just the aunt, I can’t imagine being a mother. I’d never go to sleep. I think of way to many worse case scenarios.

Instead I pray that the foundation he’s been given of love, security, and strength will withstand all of the new things thrown at him. I pray for courage, wisdom, and joy. I pray that he learn how to dream big dreams and always have confidence that he’s capable of achieving them.

Filed under: Mi Familia , birthday, nephew