My happy birthday

A little over a week ago I had a "milestone" birthday!  And can I just say it was terrific!!  I wasn't sure how I would feel about being the big 40--but to those of you who have not yet crossed this line, it really isn't a big deal.  I woke up feeling just the same as I did the day before--which is tired and achy!!  But I am blaming that on being almost 30 weeks pregnant, not on my age so much.

So here you see my sweet Christopher Robin at 11:15 PM on the eve of my big day. Jace insisted that he and Ryan decorate the dining room.  I went into our bedroom and went to "sleep" so that they could get the job done.  It took them at least 45 minutes. I was dying because I knew Ryan had to get up at 5:50AM for work.  When Jace finally went to bed and Ryan came into our room I asked him why it took so long.  He said Christopher Robin was VERY particular about where everything was placed.  It had to perfect.

He woke me up at 7:00AM on my birthday --so excited to have me come into the dining room to see his decorating.  He didn't know that I had already peeked.  I was so touched when I saw what they had done. It looked darling. The curly ribbon streamers were especially cute.  He made this Lego car for me and was so excited and proud to present me with it.  It made my day!

Ryan has been wanting to make this birthday special for me.  One- because I am still pregnant--for a year now--I was pregnant on my last birthday too, and two--because we are still in school.  So he has been asking me for weeks what I would like.  I had a list a mile long of things I would like, but they are next years gifts. Not things a resident's salary can buy.  So I thought about what I would really like and I decided that what I would love most would be for him to get the day off work.

Residents in his program aren't allowed vacation in June, July and August, so I knew it would be a stretch to get it approved.  But he submitted the request and was given the afternoon off. I was a little disappointed it wasn't the whole day, but I also felt grateful for what we did get.  Ryan is on call this whole month, (trauma chief) so we aren't allowed to leave Iowa City.  He has to be within 15 minutes of the hospital at all times.  (I'm not going to miss residency)

But he arranged to trade call with a fellow resident and I planned a trip to take the kids to the Niabi Zoo in Coal Valley, Illinois. 

It was the best decision I made.  I was really tempted to get my hair done and a pedicure--but for the same price you can get admission to the Niabi Zoo!  If you were 6 and 3 years old--what would you choose??  Exactly!!  So off to the zoo we went!  Gracie was about 15 months old the last time we went, so to her- this was her first experience and she LOVED it! 

We paid for all the extra attractions this time.  These are pictures of our "giraffe encounter".

How awesome is it to get to feed a giraffe!  Who knew that they love Romaine lettuce? 

Miss Gracie was a little scared--but so proud that she did it! 

 

 

 

The next attraction--was "Lorikeet Landing".   I think the name is pretty explanatory.  You basically pay to feed the Lorikeets and they land on you to eat!

Gracie was a little unsure at first.  But Jace remembered this from the last time we went.  I love that one flew right on his head. 

They are a little pokey--their claws.  

 

Jace told me later--"I was so scared!" 

Gracie warmed up to them and thought they were great. 

 

 

 

 

They are quite pretty birds. 

 

 

 The petting zoo!  Gracie loves animals and she is allergic to them like Ryan.  I am so sad for her.  She wants a dog more than anything.

 

 

 She came home and her skin broke out--eczema. But I think she would say it was worth it!

 

 

 Feeding the goats.

 

 The pony rides!! I grew up riding our family horse-named Carrot and we also had a pony.  But I don't remember the pony-I was too young.

 

 

So fun!

 

 

 

They got to go around 8 times!

 

When it was time to dismount, Gracie ran around to all 6 ponies and gave them a pat.  I was so surprised. I thought it was cute!

 

Our stay at the zoo was 3 hours.  We arrived at 2:00PM and they close at 5:00PM.  I purposely planned the train ride in the middle of our visit to give me a nice little break!  I love this train!

 

 It takes you past all the main attractions-the elephants, lions, giraffes, etc. 

 

 The elephants!!

 

Since it took Ryan 10 minutes to take this picture, I decided to post it. 

 

 

It took some coaxing to get Gracie to put her face in the hole.

 

Koi pond. 

 

 

Jace borrowed my hat and filled it up with fish food.  Brilliant--but stinky--great! 

Carousel!!

 

 

We had plenty of time to see everything by 5:00.  Three hours was perfect.  The kids even ran through the sprinklers.  Can you tell?  I love how the only exit out of the zoo is through the gift shop.  I told Ryan in advance that I would love for the kids to get $5.00 for my birthday to spend. So Jace picked out this little blue truck

 

 

and Gracie got this turtle.  Now every time they play with them at home, they think of this fun day we spent as a family.  It also reminds me of when our family used to go to the Hoggle Zoo in SLC when I was young. I remember my parents buying me and my sisters wax figurines of the lions.  I had it for a long time. 

 

 

 You can't finish out the day without some heavy duty chocolate cake!

 

Thank you once again Walmart for this beauty.  I picked it out all myself!  Gracie went with me to get it and she really wanted to bring home the very blue and white Smurf cake--but after I helped her pick out pink candles and sprinkles she finally went along with the idea of chocolate.   And she did  a great job adding the final touches --don't you agree?

Notice the cars around the cake too-Jace's final touches. 

 

 

And the house didn't burn down with all the candles.  

 

  

After cake, the Dr and kids presented me with this beautiful package.  Robin and Rue had picked out the "zoo" wrapping paper because we were going to the zoo.  Jace was soooooo excited to give me this as well.  Look at his face!  It was a new purse that the three of them had found for me on an evening that I was at the gym! The purse is beautiful and I love it. The Dr insisted on taking a picture of me modeling it--but it didn't make the post.  It is not big enough to hide behind!

 

 

But being 40 is great.  It is like I told Ryan-- turning 40 would be hard if I wasn't married to you, and if I didn't have my 2.75 beautiful kids! 

 

I am a blessed woman!