Birthday Reflections

Steven's and my birthday came and went this past week. We are so thankful for the lives God has given us, and we had great fun celebrating them together and with our family.

Steven and me before our date on my birthday

Last Wednesday, which was my birthday, started out with our kids waking earlier than usual. This allowed our family to have breakfast together, which is very rare around this house! Steven went on to work, and the kids and I played around the house for a while. Then we headed to have our weekly "lunch with Daddy" near Steven's work. We went to Moe's, which is one of my favorite lunchtime spots. We had a great time with each other and the food was so yummy! After dropping Steven off at his office, we headed home. Elise was fussier than normal and had been showing signs of a possible ear infection, so I felt that we needed to have her ears checked. Thankfully my Dad was able to come watch Isaac during his nap so that Elise and I could head to the doctor's. Elise didn't have an ear infection, thankfully! The doctor just said she had a really bad cold. So with that positive news, we headed home for some rest time. After Steven got home, my parents came over to keep the kids so that I could have a birthday date with Steven. (THANKS Mom and Dad!! You're the best!!!) We had a great time out together at one of our favorite date night places: the movie theatre! We went to see You Again, and it was very cute with a strong emphasis on forgiveness, which was awesome.

Isaac and BJ playing with Isaac's new (yard sale) airplane

On Thursday night, we continued the celebration with a visit from Michelle, BJ and Carly. We played outside in the backyard and had some vegetable soup while we shared conversations with each other. It was a great night!

Carly playing her Nintendo DSI (is that the right name?)at our house

Over the weekend, Isaac spent the night with my Mom and Dad so that he could go with them on Saturday morning to the Cleveland County Fair. Although they weren't able to take any pictures, I've heard only great stories of their time together. Isaac definitely loved riding the rides there! He has asked several times since then if he could please "go to fair today with Ba and Nanna?"

On Monday, which was Steven's birthday, we had a celebration similar to mine with lunch out and a date night. For lunch, Steven chose Eat Here Now, which is another one of our favorite lunch spots right near Steven's work.

Isaac at Eat Here Now with his four straws

Steven and Isaac celebrating Steven's birthday at lunch

Before we ate, the kids and I went into Steven's building so that we could say hello to Steven's co-workers. I'd forgotten how quiet an office environment is! We had to remind Isaac to use his whisper voice several times. Not just his indoor voice - even that was too loud - but his whisper voice!

After an afternoon of working when he'd have rather taken the day off, Steven and I headed out for a date night. (Thanks again to my awesome parents for watching the kids and putting them to bed for us!) We saw another movie (yes, we love movies!), but this time we decided to go to uptown Charlotte and try the Epicenter. Our friends Lauren and Brian had recommended it as a very nice, upscale-feeling movie experience. They were right! We felt like we were in New York City, not Charlotte, NC! Things have definitely changed in downtown since we were younger. When we were dating, we used to drive uptown and walk around, but there were only a few restaurants to choose from (well, in our price range, that is!) Not now! We had plenty to choose from and we had a blast. We went to see Life As We Know It, ordered pizza and chicken skewers to eat in the theatre and had some Cold Stone ice cream and a shake afterwards. We also enjoyed walking around the Epicenter and admiring their decor, including gorgeous petunias and a cute pumpkin patch. It was a great day to celebrate a GREAT man!

We LOVE October!!! Birthday month for Momma and Daddy in the Mauney house!