Birthday Weekend

My birthday was a few weeks ago, and it fell on a Sunday. I am a firm believer that Sunday birthdays are the worst. You can't do anything, and half your day is spent at church. 

My coworkers made me feel loved though, with this card and pony! We've decided that flutter shy is my official pony, and I'm so excited to have a miniature of her. Also, this card is an inside joke because of my painting of George Washington that I purchased at work. 

So, since I had a Sunday birthday, Sammy and I were going to do all of our celebrating on Saturday. This year we've decided that instead of giving gifts on our birthdays, we're going to plan surprise days for each other. I'm a sucker for surprises, while Sammy doesn't like them that much. The fact that he took the time to plan one meant a lot to me! 

Saturday morning, I still had no idea where we were going. Sammy did an excellent job keeping quiet. Although the night before when he thought I was asleep he accidentally turned on Siri to double check the route we were going to take in the morning. He got the sound down before I heard her say the destination which was good. 

I still had no idea where we were going until we pulled up right in front of the Aquarium! I was so surprised, but so happy! I love the aquarium! The last time that we went together was the day before our high school graduation. I was so excited! We were some of the first people in line, and after hitting up the bathrooms, we ran inside. 

I didn't take any pictures in the aquarium because I was enjoying it so much. Also, I took a million last time we went which are in this post. I just love seeing all the creatures that God has created. They were feeding some of the larger fish as soon as we walked in, which was fun to watch. They eat the exact same way that our fish Persephone eats. They shake their heads like a dog, it's adorable. 

I'm pretty sure that at least half the people in the aquarium who were taking videos have sound of me going, "Sammy! Look over here! Look!" I just wanted him to see each of the beautiful fish that I was looking at, but he was looking at different ones. 

There were a few rooms that I got scared in, namely where they simulated a flash flood. Who needs to see that? I sure don't. Sammy was giggling at me, but I was really terrified!

This time, Sammy actually pet the stingrays. He was a little scared to the last time we went together. After a few timid tries, he was all about it. They kept splashing us and whacking the water, which was cute. At one point the biggest stingray in the area, which is bigger than my coffee table, came right up to us and out of the pool. It was just hanging there in the air, it's huge mouth opening and closing. Then it went back in with the biggest splash. It was the weirdest, and coolest, thing ever. 

After the aquarium, we went to the Halloween store to get decorations for our apartment. It was a bit of a lesson in compromise because Sammy likes the big bloody things, where I am more of a fan of the cute little scary things. Like this frog. 

After the halloween store, we went to a thrift store trying to find pieces for our Halloween costumes. They didn't have any coats or jackets though in the whole place, which was weird. We finally gave up, then met up with Sammy's parents for dinner. They took me to Cheddar's and I had a fantastic steak, but not as good as Lynn's steak. 

After dinner, we went to a bonfire that my friends from high school were having. We used to have them every year at the end of the school year and burn up all of our papers. Now that most of us have graduated college, Nick threw one final one. It was a lot of fun. Sammy and I only knew four people there, and we hung out all night. It was strange to see my old friends who brought me a lot of grief at times as adults. We've all grown up and are better people. I forced them to take a picture when we were leaving. Then I searched for a few hours to find a picture with most of us still in it. The comparison is crazy!

 

 Then, on my actual birthday, we had a relaxing morning. I had a lot of emotions, but I was looking good. 

 We went to church, and it turned out that the other nursery leader was sick so Sammy came and subbed with me. That was fun. For the first time in two years, the kids left me alone long enough that I was able to finally build the waffle block house of my dreams! I've been trying for two years but they always destroy it. 

 After church we went to my parents for dinner, cake, and ice cream. This year I wanted a funfetti cake and Tonight Dough ice cream. So good!

I'm hoping for good things this year. Don't let me down 23!