26-Year-Old Shimp

My favorite days of the year are as follows:

1. Christmas

2. Halloween

3. Chick-fil-A free food day

4. My birthday

5. The Friday before Christmas break when we get fed lunch at school

....in no particular order.

I'm told that Christmas loses some of its luster over the years, when Santa Claus stops coming, and Halloween quickly drops on the list of favorites when you're a teacher, and birthdays lose their appeal when you're happy with the age you're at and every birthday is just a reminder that you're getting old, but that's what my list looks like now.

Plus this new addition to the list:

6. August 3rd, Stephen's birthday.

Last year, I was flying from Utah to Maryland on his birthday, and all I did was send him a package. Which meant that this year, I obviously needed to make up for it and set a precedent, because, hello, birthdays are birthdays are the best days ever. I think Stephen is starting to understand this concept, since I started planning his back in June....and I'm happy to report that at about 5:30 pm on his birthday, he said "Birthdays are pretty cool!" which I consider a major success, coming from this guy who didn't care one bit about his birthday when we met.

I didn't take a picture of breakfast - eggs, sausage, peaches, and English muffins - but presents were immediately after that. 

At first neither of us was too thrilled about Stephen's birthday being on a Sunday. But after our cute Primary presidency remembered his birthday, and gave him chocolate, and we all sang to him, we realized that this was actually an awesome day for a birthday. Not to mention, neither of us had to work, and he didn't have school. #sundayfunday 

After the Primary kids sang to him, and we had pulled pork sandwiches for lunch, Stephen was very on board with birthdays. 

Is anyone surprised that he chose to go rock-climbing for his birthday? Maybe not, but I, personally, was little surprised that Natalie and I accidentally matched. 

He got in 2 climbs before inclement weather blew in. Someone didn't get the memo that it was Stephen's birthday....but it's okay.

Dinner was rice, parmesan green beans, and salmon and a smooth parsley sauce. 

Stephen wanted pineapple upside-down cake for dessert, and I made mini cakes in a muffin tin. I didn't quite get 26 candles on that one cake, but no one can say I didn't try!

Stephen was pumped about the colorful flame candles.

What a freakin cutie.

Birthdays in our family last all month long, so I still have a few more surprises planned for him :) I have to say, I didn't know that Stephen's birthday would be one of my favorite days, but it was! I loved having a day that was all about him, and surprises, and fun. 26 is looking pretty dang good!