Jason's 33rd Birthday

Today, Jason turns 31, for the third time. 

Last year, it was the forgetfulness of a pregnant wife that he turned 31 a second time. This year, it was planned forgetfulness (if such a thing exists) as I just thought it would be funny. Good thing he enjoys a good laugh.

Seeing that today is Monday, and our wise 5 year old and 3 year old pointed out that Monday is family home evening, we celebrated the big day on Saturday.

I cannot emphasize adequately enough how excited the kids were for Jason's birthday. They were counting down from Valentine's Day onward. I think that is partly due to how much they love Jason and partly due to the fact that Jason has the first birthday of the year in our family. But the biggest aspect is definitely the genuine love and excitement for Jason and his birthday. 

We kicked the day off with pancakes (which were supposed to be waffles except that I picked an insanely complicated waffle recipe that was not working out), then the kids played in balloon paradise in our living room and set up a party room for Jason complete with a birthday meal that Milayla cooked up in their play kitchen. We spent the afternoon at the Biodome. And then came home to get cleaned up for Sunday, get the birthday dinner underway and open presents. Atticus had the brilliant idea of hiding Jason's presents and having him play hot/cold in order to find them. The kids thought it was a riot and Jason and I had a good time with it as well.

On the birthday present list were some new dress clothes for work and some homemade peanut butter cups that the kids made during homeschool time the day before. There was so much excitement for Jason to see all the great things in the gift bag that the kids were handing the items to Jason out of the bag so that Jason could see the presents quicker. Oh, and then there was the picture that the kids made for Jason over a month ago and have been rotating the hiding spot for every week so that Jason wouldn't find it. So much excitement. The most important part was that Jason enjoyed it all. And I'm fairly certain that he did enjoy it.  

I'm not entirely sure what it is, but something about seeing the silhouettes of this family of mine in front of the large aquariums at the biodome makes my heart happy. That, and seeing the interaction between Jason and the kids. He's a great dad and so loved. And I just love all the smiles.

Unfortunately, spring is eluding us and Saturday greeted us with lots of snow and awful temperatures. Seeing that we gave winter our one last hurrah last week on holiday, this new temperature drop is a bit of a rough go around here. I'm sure that spring will feel all the sweeter when it comes thanks in large part to the extra blast of cool. 

Yet, really, the weather did not make a difference on the day at all. Jason is loved. We are happy that he's ours. And happy to be celebrating his birth into this big 'ol world. Happy that the cheesecake turned out. Happy that he was raised to be a good, honest, and righteous man (and so happy that he builds on that every day). And happy to see him enjoying his birthday and to be celebrating it with him. 

All this to say - HAPPY (31st) BIRTHDAY, JASON! We Love you!