Dirty 30

Once a year, I get to be two years younger, and I get to rib D unmercilessly about being an "old man".

This year, it was especially fitting as he turned the big 30.

I really love celebrations and traditions, so we have cultivated a few over the years as we celebrate "Birthday Week" (D's birthday is Dec 7, Mine Dec 8).

1. A Birthday Banner. There has to be a banner that says happy birthday. This year it was a lovely foil one from Dollarama. I was accused of recycling it, but low and behold I had bought a new one with a shiny loonie.

2. Streamer or other decoration. This year, I went all out and actually made a balloon banner by threading balloons by their ends with thread across the kitchen. I managed not to pop a single one. This was easy, inexpensive and it looked really cool! Plus, no helium.

3. Novelty gift when you hit a certain age. D got 30 suckers... because well, 30 sucks (so I hear).

4. Ice Cream Cake. 3 years running we've melted it after one serving each. Each year we swear we won't, and each year it melts. 

5. Gifties.... Usually we do cards or gifties. This year, D got a lovely hoodies and t-shirt from Quiksilver. I got (supposedly) a Blackberry Playbook, although we're still waiting for it's arrival.

Thanks to our intrepid babysitter, Jax, we also enjoyed an evening out at Boston Pizza where we had adult conversation that didn't involve food in someone's hair and we even caught a little of the hockey game. Unfortunately, they messed up D's order and it sorta threw the timing of the whole meal off. We also got a free dessert with a coupon I received, and we shared a Chocolate Explosion. So good. So very good.

I should mention these amazing cupcakes that I got spoiled with for my birthday:

Two years running, Ms. Jax has procured the exact type of cake I want. Last year, I got a 8" (read actually 12") carrot cake that was delish delivered to my work. This year, I mentioned I had seen these awesome little Starbucks themed cupcakes on Pinterest, like this:

They did not disappoint! You can read Jax's recipe on her blog. It was a very thoughtful treat. 

We received cards also on my birthday from my lovely mother in law for both of us, and the rest of the cards showed up on Friday (our mail is so weird sometimes). Thanks for all the well-wishes.

That's our birthday round-up!

(and yes, our Christmas lights are now on.... but more on our tree coming up tomorrow)