In January we celebrated Chris' milestone 40th birthday. In typical Chris fashion, he wanted no public acknowledgment, no big bash, and for this birthday to pass as anonymously as all the others. And since I know that the birthday celebration should be about what the birthday kid wants, not what I want, we honored his wish. Within the confines of our own home, however, it was a different story. We didn't just celebrate his birthday, oh no, we celebrated his birthday weekend!
Starting Friday night, and continuing on through Sunday night, whatever Chris wanted to eat, do, watch on tv, or play, he got his wish. And of course, no matter how gross they thought the food was, or how boring the activity was, the children were not allowed to complain. No wrecking the Birthday Person's fun with negative vibes. Fortunately, they get the same treatment on their birthday's so they know the drill and play along without any reminders. It is the simplest way to make a birthday special, I think. And apparently, my family agrees.
Of course, I couldn't resist teasing Chris rather unmercifully about being so OLD! Little things like telling him I didn't feel old enough to be married to such a mature individual such as himself. Or what a big age difference we had, since he was in his forties, and I was only in my thirties. hahaha! I have to make the most of it, since my own 40th is this summer. Although, he will probably be a perfect gentleman and not so a word. Yeah, right! He has joyously pointed out every gray hair on my head for years now.
On Sunday, his actual birthday, there was a rather humorous incident at church. Apparently, one of the ladies in the ward had noticed on the ward list that it was Chris' birthday. I don't know what made it stand out to her, or why she remembered it, but she did. And so she very innocently and kindly wished him a Happy birthday, and then started telling other members that it was Chris' birthday and they should say something to him. He had to go over and quietly, but earnestly, beg her to please stop letting everyone know it was his birthday. Did I mention he doesn't like a lot of attention drawn to him? I laughed about it when he told me later. It was seriously his worst nightmare come to life.
Just for fun I put all 40 candles on his cake, not realizing how long it would to light them all, and how hot they would get.
Seriously, I could feel my cheeks getting hotter and hotter just from walking the cake over to the table from the kitchen. Went through a box full of matches, too. The candle wicks had tons of wax on them, so it would take a long time for the flame to catch. I could only get two candles lit before the match burned down so far, I would have to drop it. And using another candle to light them didn't work out either, as all the melted wax kept dripping down on to the cake. Finally, Chris came over and helped me finish lighting them.
The kids were totally getting antsy and wanted some cake! Craziness! I think I should buy a flame thrower before my birthday, it will make it much easier and quicker.
It was fun making his birthday weekend so special. You are a great guy, Chris, especially because of all your fun, cute quirks! Happy birthday! (I specifically had to wait a while in order to post this, so no one would read it and wish him happy birthday since it was so close to his actual birthday. ha!)