Birthday Princesses, or is it Princi?

Around here, birthdays aren't just a thing...they're a THING.  They last a while.  Sometimes a week, sometimes a month, but never ever just a day.

On Monday I turned ahem-y ahem years old, and it was a good one.  Last weekend, the fam all came by for a party.  Each year, my fabulosa sista from anotha mista and I share a party, since our birthdays are only three days apart.  And it's convenient that we're actually kinda sisters now since I married her bro eight and a half years ago.

'Course, I didn't manage to get a picture of her since I was kinda busy eating and talking and talking and eating, but I did at least manage to determine that great grandparents are pretty much the greatest.

After the party, The Princess went home with The Grumps, and The Hubbs and I went on a date (insert gasp here).  I mean, like a real date, with dinner AND a movie and everything.  Oooooh, fancy.  We saw Divergent and loved it (I've read all the books and got them for my birthday), and then we tried a new-to-us Thai place that's been around for a big ol' long time.  I stepped out of my pad Thai comfort zone and ordered a curry that I absolutely loved, and The Hubbs had some sort of spicy deliciousness with chicken and roasted peppers and yum.  This place will definitely be added to the list of date-approved restaurants.  Affordable, adorable, and I love any place that serves family style.

Monday was my actual birthday, and my fantabulous coworkers trashed my desk for me.  Luckily, Bear was there to save me from the balloon jungle (I'm allergic to latex, and they were all up in my face).  These, though, I didn't allow anyone to take away.  Miss M from the office makes balloon bouquets, and I was the lucky birthday girl this week.  These are now residing in my house and being methodically picked apart by a certain Princess.

On Wednesday, our middle child, Sookie, turned eight years old.  She got treats and lub galore, and a special surprise birthday visit from her favorite person this weekend.

Friday brought Birthdayoke at the local place with The Grumps (of course), great friends and a pretty large chunk of the work crew.  Bear was there...

...and even serenaded me with some Leon Russell and, later, an encore - my name song (which totally kicks your name song's tuchus, though I can't tell you what it is without violating my whole no-names rule...just believe me...my song's almost as awesome as I am).

I even got to see a couple of pals I hadn't seen in ages.  I heart this girl.  :)

Yesterday brought a long-overdue visit from The Princess's beloved Uncle D, who also happens to be Sookie's favorite person in the whole wide world.

So, all in all, it was a pretty fantastic birthday week.  Sookie even got to sleep behind Uncle D's knees, so it could very well have been the bestest birthday week ever.

One quick sidenote that's really more of a shout-it-from-the-mountain-tops kind of thing before I go:  I am so blessed to have an amazing family and wonderful friends in my life, and I thank God each and every day for all of you.  Thank you for being part of our lives and sticking around.  Anyone can flit from group to group, but it's those of you who've remained constant who just melt my heart.  I love you.