Songs and Surprises

So yesterday was my 39th birthday. (Insert sounds of shock and astonishment here.) I know. I know. It's impossible that I'm in my (extremely) late thirties.

I had a really great day, which actually started on Tuesday night when TLS gave me my birthday present...the iPod Touch. It seriously rocks. Love. It. Already. I could give you the whole run-down on the uber coolness of it, but I'm sure it would sound like "blah, blah, blah. iPod blah, blah."

I came to work yesterday and received birthday greetings from many friends and co-workers. I even had some really random people wishing me a happy birthday and was starting to think that some kind of email notification had gone out. I suppose the how or why really doesn't matter since it was just nice to realize that people were thinking of me. (I guess I had a real Sally Field moment. They like me. They really like me.) I went and read to the preschool kids at lunch and while I knew that I'd be smiling the rest of the day, I didn't realize that I'd get some great kid-isms in the bargain.

After finishing my reading (and by the way, I had completely forgotten the real story of the three little pigs, the first two of which get eaten (eaten!) by the wolf and then the wolf tries to trick the third pig out of the house and finally tries to climb down the chimney, falls into the pot of boiling water the pig has placed there and gets eaten (eaten!) by the pig for dinner), here was the conversation.
Me: Do you all know what today is?
Kid #1: Wednesday
Me: (laughing) Yes, but in addition to being Wednesday, it's my birthday.
Kid #2: My mom can make some cupcakes!
Me: (laughing) I don't think that'll be necessary.
Teacher: Let's sing to her.
All kids: (A lovely, if off-key, rendition of Happy Birthday guaranteed to make your heart melt)

About a week ago, TLS asked if I wanted to go to my favorite restaurant, Hibiscus, on the night of my birthday. I, of course, heartily agreed and he told me that he'd take care of getting the reservation. After he called them, he told me that our reservation was for 7:30. I thought this was a little late (since once he picked me up from work at 5:30ish it would only take about 10 minutes to get to the restaurant), but he told me that they were packed because of spring break and that was the only time he could get. (This is why I am the easiest person in the world to plan a surprise for, because I will apparently believe any old bill of goods that you hand me.) To kill some time, we ended up going to Best Buy to find a case for my new iPod Touch. (Have I mentioned my new Touch?!) We got to the restaurant at 7:30 and were shown to our table. As we walked behind the hostess, I kept thinking that we were passing all kinds of open tables in the front but was also excited because I'd never before sat in the more private back room. I had my eye on the small table for two next to the wall but glanced over to see my friend Dorina sitting at another table. I swear to God that my thought was, "Oh! Dorina is eating here tonight, too. What a coincidence." I'm such a dork, because she along with her boyfriend Michael, and my friends Cathy and Kim were there to help us celebrate. We had a fabulous meal. I forced myself to save a couple of my lamb chops to enjoy for dinner tonight and finished it all off with their lavender ice cream. (It sounds revolting, I know. But it is delish! Take my word for it.)

What a full day: good friends, good food, kids singing and surprises. How can you beat that?!