Here's what a birthday looks like in Theresa-land

The big joke in our family is how fanatical I am about my birthday each year. I've always been that way. I can remember waking up extra-early as a child and just singing, making up songs about how it was my birthday, and what-not. It's crazy, but hey, it's your ONE DAY a year to celebrate YOU! Here's how I celebrated my 40th, in part...

Irish oatmeal was my start to the day, with brown sugar, butter and a strawberry on top. I love this -- I'm pretty much the only one, though, so I took the half hour to make it and then enjoyed it.

I also poured myself a cup of milk in my Mickey Mouse cup (with my name etched on it) from my Disney World trip last year. Of course, when I opened the fridge, a hungry creature came to see what I was doing.

But then, party pooper that she is, Boo Boo found a chair in the computer room and took a nap. On my birthday?! (sigh) Some girls!

Since the guys had gone to school, I spent a good chunk of the day by myself, answering the phone and running errands. Before I left, I took a quick picture of myself by my piano.

And even though the guys all thought it was weird, I took a picture of my feet. How many pictures of your feet do you have? These feet have put on a few miles in 40 years. And you can see, I'm wearing my comfy old sneakers and my favorite pair of blue jeans.

I really wanted to go do some volunteering, and so I stopped by PetSmart and played with the cats up for adoption. This one's name is "Jack," and he's very friendly and playful. I call him Mr. Snuffleupagus, just because, and when you're not playing with him, he's whacking the lock outside his cubby, trying to get it open. What a handsome boy.

Dad sent me some beautiful flowers -- how much fun is that? They're still beautiful.

Of course everyone's a critic. My curious creature hopped up on the table again to inspect...and made a face.

I had stopped at the book store, and found a book that I had on my wish list. When Steve got home from work, he said, "Didn't I get you that one for Christmas?" Yes, he did. That's what I get for getting old...my brain cells are dying off more quickly than I thought.

By then it was time to go get Graham, and he loves having cat company in the car. On Mondays, when I work at home, I take a cat with me to pick him up, but since it was my BIRTHDAY, I took both. Kitty's always a back-seat driver.

One of the many reasons I have loved picking my kids up after school all these years -- a smiling face ready with stories about the day.

While we were waiting for our turn to pull out and leave, Graham took a few pictures...what day is it, Mom?

Hmmm...I seem to remember it's my birthday. Which one? Which one?

My fortieth!? AAAARGGHHHH!

Harrison came over to wish me a happy birthday and get a pizza dinner out of the deal. He gladly posed for a picture, but when I asked him for a picture that showed what he thought about his mom's big birthday...

...this is what I got.

Steve brought me home some new African Violets. I don't have much of a green thumb, but my Grandma Carmen used to grow these, and I've got a knack for them. I had gotten rid of mine when we moved, and miss them, so now I've got some new ones to love.

Mellow Mushroom was on the agenda -- a place we can all find something we like. Graham is in that "don't take my picture" part of teenager-hood, but gave me a look when he was deciding what to order.

Then he turned the camera on Steve and me, and hey, we look pretty good for 40.

Harrison was just happy to get his hands on some killer 'za.

...apparently, so was Steve. Yikes!

The crust is the best part, isn't it?

I only had room for one piece, but have eaten on my birthday pizza all week. They're so delicious. Pepperoni, mushrooms and black olives. I always get the same thing, and I'm never disappointed.

I had some presents to open later at home, and received this killer couple of pictures of my favorite 80's band, Hall and Oates. These are originals by an artist on Etsy that Steve procured for me. Now I can have them on my desk here at work, edging me on. No can do? CAN DO!

"Oh," I said, when I saw this one, "My mom will like this picture." Two cakes, you ask? Why the heck not? It was a clerical error on our part, but one we may repeat.

I mean, come on, who doesn't want a plate of cake like this on their birthday?

Graham sure wasn't complaining.

And neither was Bea.

Thanks to all of you who made my birthday extra special by sending me messages, cards, presents and good wishes. A new decade. How exciting!