Royal Birthday

A few months ago I was sitting at my in-laws kitchen table and we were talking about all the upcoming birthdays. In May and June we have 5, I think...plus my brother, so that's 6 that I have to remember! Sheesh!

I mentioned that this year was my "royal birthday."

That was a rather embarrassing moment since it seems that they were altogether unfamiliar with that term. Americans in general, it seems, are unfamiliar with that term.

"Oh," someone said, I think it was Reid, "What do we get you for a royal birthday?"

"Nothing," I said, "It's just what we call it...nothing special happens really...it's just...22 on the 22nd or something like that."

So, I just had my royal birthday--I turned 22 on the 22nd, and to make 22 even greater, my baby is also due on the 22nd (although in July, not June--however much I might wish it were otherwise).

To celebrate, we had dinner and cake at my parent's house after working until 8:00 at the library. We did that on Thursday because Josie and Mom left for Australia on my birthday--how unfair!

I have posted the best pictures...unfortunately, our schedule had been so horrendous that Andrew hadn't had a real meal in days. He's been working 7 am shifts and midnight shifts up the wazoo meaning that whenever he was home, I was more interested in sleeping than in feeding him. So, most of the pictures from my little birthday bash are of...food. Bread. Spaghetti. Cake. Raspberries. There are a few pictures of me...and I think also a snapshot or two of me and David together, but in all of those pictures, the cake is in the picture, too...or I'm licking something off.

Maybe next year we'll get pictures of the people present. Just so that you know, my mom, Josie, Patrick, and my Dad were there also (you can see parts of them in the pictures--but the focal point is the food).

Licking off the beaters used for whipping cream

The cutting of the cake

Yesterday Andrew and I went to work...and then we went out to dinner at the Panda Express...then I took a nap...then we went shopping...and then we played Mancala until nearly 1 am. He totally beat me the first game, but that's because I didn't really know how to play. The second game I started to be more strategic and, although it took a lot longer than our first game, I ended up tying Andrew. Next time we play, I'm sure I'll beat him.

And here is the video of my family singing to me...although I am the main subject for most of the film, you will notice that Andrew's attention is quickly switched to the cake.