Sunday was Chris' 39th birthday. I really enjoy the six months of the year I am younger than he is. Saturday I made sure to get in a few "This is your last whatever as a 38 year old" comments. heehee In our house, the birthday person gets to choose the activities and meals for the day. Chris decided he wanted meatloaf, spaetzle and broccoli for lunch, with cherry cheesecake for dessert. He really liked it, he had four helpings! Then we spent the rest of the afternoon looking at digitized photos his parents sent over. These were all the slides (5,000) that his dad had taken of their family vacations, Christmases, birthdays and whatever over the years. I had seen a few of them, but not all. The kids had seen even less. So it was kind of fun to sit down and see what Chris looked like as a kid. Of course, we didn't get through all 5,000 in one afternoon, but we did make it through several years worth.
We noticed that Noah looks more like Chris than we thought, and that Sophie looks like Aunt Celina at the same age, in some photos. That was really interesting. More hilarious comments were "Who is that lady in the goggles?" (That would be Oma in her ultra cool 1970's glasses.) "Whoa! That guy looks like a rock star." (Close, it's your Great uncle Ray.) "Quick, count the candles to see how old they are." (Said every time a birthday photo was shown.) "So who is that girl sitting with you, Papa?" (That would be Oma again, kids.)
Bo Peep the dog was also a hit. As was the photo of Uncle Adam holding what looks like a dead cat. The cat wasn't really dead, just really used to being picked up by little kids, so it was just hanging there completely relaxed. Chris told the kids he was really happy to have these photos to show them, since he doesn't remember much about his childhood unless prompted. Looking at the pictures jogged his memory and he was able to tell us lots of stories about what was going on before,during and after the photos.
Oh, we also had presents. Noah was very worried that we would forget and was very relieved when it was finally time for him to help me wrap them. Chris loves knowing what time it is no matter where he is in the house. We have clocks everywhere. But I don't have one in my craft room upstairs. So I had taken the one out of the living room and brought it upstairs as it was given to me by my Uncle Peter and Aunt Margie. But this really upset Chris that he now couldn't tell what time it was while he was watching tv. So, I found this clock that looks like three books standing next to each other. It can go on the bookshelf of our entertainment center and he can always know what time it is. He was very happy.
I also got him a shower clock/radio for our bathroom. He is always yelling out from the bathroom, "What time is it?" while getting ready for work. He cuts it really close for catching the bus, and has to know to the minute how much longer he has to get ready. Otherwise he doesn't know how fast he has to hurry. So, I saw one of those water resistant clocks you can hang off your showerhead. He was thrilled, as you can see. :)
It may seem silly to get two of the same gift for your birthday, but trust me. It was just what he never knew he always wanted. :) Happy birthday, Sweetheart. Here's to another 39 years.