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February 27, 2012

Birthday Celebrations, and Putting My Money Where My Mouth Is

I had a fantastic birthday celebration, spread out over several days!

On Thursday, my actual birthday, I took the girls for a very special mid-morning treat…DONUTS! My last group of work colleagues always brought donuts to celebrate birthdays. I L-O-V-E blueberry cake donuts from this local shop…but I realized I hadn’t had them in over THREE YEARS! The girls were on their best behavior, and we all savored our donuts, and Mommy, her coffee.

The girls and I had a great day…with not so much as one time-out…AND they took a good nap. We had beautiful weather, too, so we got to spend some great time outside together.

On Thursday night, after the girlies were in bed, I met three of my wonderful mommy friends for a late sushi dinner. It was so nice to be surrounded by such dear friends…and wonderful food…AND the chocolate chip cookie cake of my dreams, no less!

On Saturday morning, I met two of my besties for a late breakfast. Breakfasts out have always seemed like a treat, but – since the girls were born – they are so rare and even more special. We met at a new café that purports local ingredients. I (over-)indulged in their breakfast special…biscuits and sausage gravy, scrambled eggs with cheese, and the yummiest bacon.

In a pork-and-eggs-induced stupor, we found our way to the nail salon for a pedicure. Bliss!!! And, as our nails were drying, Aunt Shanda produced three Cadbury Crème Eggs from her purse…a birthday tradition for me (and thank goodness my birthday is relatively close to Easter!).

I felt so very blessed to have had such wonderful time with my baby girls, and to have been showered with affection from my closest friends. And thank you all for the many birthday wishes, too!

My birthday finale was supposed to have been the girls’ first “tablecloth restaurant” experience, on Saturday night.

However…

The girls were having trouble settling down for their nap on Saturday afternoon. They weren’t fussing…but they weren’t lying “nice and still and quiet”, either. In isolation, I think they would have eventually gone to sleep…but neither one could rest with her sister mumbling.

I went up several times to remind them it was naptime…sadly, to no avail.

I finally told them, “If you don’t nap, we will not go out to dinner tonight.

Unfortunately, I had to put my money where my mouth was. They were very upset (as was I…sniff, sniff)…but I hope it made an impression on them.

[There was no way I was going to attempt a “tablecloth restaurant”, or any other, without a nap. Been there, done that, and I still shudder to think about that experience a full year ago!]

I know this may have just been a coincidence…in no way does one day a trend suggest…but on Sunday they napped for a solid two hours!

Here’s hoping the reminder that "Mommy means business" sticks…and we can cash in that birthday dinner sooner than later!

[And I'm OK with an extended birthday celebration...maybe I should continue to do some fun little things all week to bridge this upcoming weekend! Hmmm...I kinda like it!]

7 comments:

Deanna said...

Sounds like a great week! Maybe you'll get that birthday dinner in soon! : )

Marcia (123 blog) said...

I love your consistency. It does shock them when you stick to your word but it's good for them to know you mean business.

Connor SCREAMS when I stick to my word but he's getting better at knowing I mean what I say.

Beth said...

Wow! That does sound like a wonderful birthday.

Don't you just hate when they make you stand your ground? Many times I have issued an ultimatum then crossed my fingers that I would not have to follow through.

I hope you get your nice dinner out soon!

Charlene Juliani said...

Aw, I always hate when my kids don't listen...disciplining is not my thing (that's what daddies are for lol).

Glad you had such fun with your friends!

Unknown said...

Seriously? Donuts, friends, Sushi, chocolate chip cookie cake, breakfast out (my fave, too!) AND a pedicure!?!?!?!?! If I had all that in one weekend, I'd have thought I'd died and gone to heaven!!!

So glad you had such a wonderful birthday weekend (bummer about dinner plans and no naps though! Hope you still get to go out!)

championm2000 said...

I love a good birthday week or month :-)

Good for you for standing your ground. I don't know if I could have remained firm. I also love a good meal-out :-)

Renae said...

Ugh! It stinks that you had to cancel your birthday dinner. Hopefully you got a re-do on that one?

I remember from about 2.5 until 3 years, 8 months when we officially changed nap time to quiet time, we went through all kinds of weird nap phases where one or both wouldn't nap for a while. We played around with the timing a bit to try to keep them napping longer, but finally, I had to give in.

When we changed nap time into quiet time, I'd have bet anyone that that would have been the end of naps for Buba. And for months, he didn't nap at all. Then, just last week, he started napping again. Huh? Fortunately he's still going to bed at the same earlier bedtime, so it's all good with me. But so weird how the need for a nap can just come and go like that.