Birthday Number 29

This is the 5th of six birthdays that I've celebrated knowing that my next birthday would be celebrated in an entirely different city. The change definitely makes each birthday unique!

Since Brian had to work, I had my normal, day-to-day task of taking care of my kids. Luckily, I don't mind that too much, so it wasn't a big deal. I got a bunch of cards, texts, calls, emails, and Facebook messages, so that was great. (I, for one, think Facebook is awesome for wishing someone a happy birthday. I don't think I've had that many birthday wishes since high school!) It's nice to feel loved.

In the afternoon, I took the kids to the library and then Brian met us there for a bit. We all went home together and Brian and I made Caprese sandwiches (at my request, of course) while the kids played.

My sweet friend, Becca, brought over a birthday cake she had made and it looked way more awesome than the half of a lemon cake I bought at the grocery store bakery, so we used it to blow out my candles. Then we opened presents. Brian went above and beyond and with other family presents, I had plenty to open!

We spent the evening playing Just Dance on the Wii, which was one of the gifts Brian had given me. To my utter disappointment, Brian totally whooped me. I thought for sure Just Dance was a game I would totally dominate. Brian's just too good of a gamer, I guess. :)

During the day, we received a Christmas box from my Swensen grandparents that had this gumdrop tree in it. The kids had a great time putting on the gumdrops and only snuck a few.

My birthday song.

Me and my cute kiddos. Here are previous birthday pictures with them for comparison: 2009, 2008, and 2007.

The kids enjoying some yummy chocolate cake before heading to bed!

The Grass is Always Greener...

Let me preface this post by saying I think all of these pictures of me look pretty unfortunate. However, it's not a beauty contest, right?

I'm one of those fortunate few that can have the green grass on both sides of the hair-fence almost anytime I want. It just takes a bit a work for one side of the fence (straight) and I don't necessarily like the results on the other side (curly). I'm really grateful to have the options though.

So, for an early birthday present to myself, I got my hair semi-permanently straightened with a Brazilian keratin protein procedure.

The process took about 90 minutes. My stylist washed my hair, dried it 90% of the way, sprayed on the treatment, blow-dried my hair, and then flat-ironed it which seals the treatment into the hair cuticle (apparently).

The hardest part? Not being able to wash, get wet, or put my hair in a pony tail (or any clip or anything) for three days. Yike.

The treatment should last 3 to 5 months depending on how often I wash it. It slowly washes out as my hair grows out. It's nice to have it be semi-permanent to see if I end up missing my curls. I kind of doubt I will because I was pretty sick of them after so many years of dealing with them. Funny thing though, as soon as I sat down in the chair to get my hair done, four women (three of whom were stylists) were oooing and ahhhing over my beautiful curls. And then, poof! they were gone (my curls, not the women).

Before: wet hair.

After: wet hair. Quite a difference even with the same styling product.

Before: Dry (natural) and curly and big!

After: Dry (blow-dry) but not flat-ironed. Pretty straight and quite easy!