Today I turned 40.
I woke up, grabbed my iphone to check my sleep patterns from last night, said hello to my husband, and hopped up to do a wee. When i got back to bed, I read a bit, (nothing like a lie in on a special day!) and then my phone rang. My first serenade of the day! Thank you Damian and Ursula!
Followed by the kids, Pam and Edd.
And then my parents.
And then my little sister Mandy.
My father in law Doug had called the night before.
I had a nice cup of tea, and barked commands at the kids, who were giggly and happy and squirmy. Sela asked how old I was. Not wanting to divulge too much information I asked her How Old She Thought I was. She looked at me carefully and said, "How old were you yesterday?" SHe has a wobbly tooth right now and reckons she is la knees de la bees.
Ed went on a field trip with Jasper's class, hooray! I took him down to Kennedy School and introduced him around to everyone. I was wearing my running gear. After I left Ed safe in the clutches of 1T, I had two choices. I could either go for a run, OR I could go to Bootcamp.
I know as well as the next person that Bootcamp is the better all over workout, but you know what? It was my birthday and I wanted to run. I was 40! Didn't I need to be thoughtful and ruminate? Apparently not. There was no great aha moment, and I gave myself about 12 kilometres to have it. It was a good morning for a run, I don't think I broke much of a sweat. I ran up two pretty steep hills and kept a great pace. But...nothing AMAZING. Just a good solid run. So glad I went for a run instead of to Bootcamp.
Came back home and got ready to go out for lunch with Ursula, Janne and Pam (and Alex). Having Alex here, I realised that my children were never six months old. I never ate with one hand, moved things automatically out of reach, multitaskted like that??? No way. I can't believe how smart my sister is.
Unfrounately Pam isn't feeling well, and, has sideeffects that are paramount in the LYons family - SHE CANT TASTE HER FOOD. This is big. So the poor girl can't hear, is out to lunch, unable to chat with my friends, unable to enjoy the (sorry, DELICIOUS) food, and generally feels wretched. Not a fun time for her, but I still had fun!
We grabbed a few things very quickly in the lanes and headed to school for the pickup. When Seb saw ALex he was overjoyed. He LOVES that girl. The trips were at lego and laptops.
WHen the trips came home Pam supervised the decorating of my cake. At one point she came into my room, looking a bit harassed. "Do you want a Princess cake or an Indiana Jones cake?" she asked. I looked at her, nonplussed. Then i realised there was a tie, and I was expected to break it. Instead I answered, "Divide the cake into four sections, and give each a quarter to decorate".
WHen Charles got home, we went out for dinner to Dan Ryans. It was a great meal. Love their reliable, fun food.
Came home, and there was CAKE, CARDS and presents! I got the BEST MUG IN THE WORLD. I love it. Seb told me very proudly it is recylclable. Hooray! It has the kids pictures all over it, and a few of charles and I as well. Gorgeousness!!! But, oh my, the piece de resistance, was...I GOT A GARMIN WATCH! This is the equivalent of a tiffany ring for runners, apparently. IT IS GORGEOUS, and does everything but tap dance. I am SO EXCITED, but i am a bit puzzled. It seems a bit counterproductive. I am going to spend so much time reading the GARMIN instruction booklet I won't have any time to run!
IT IS THE NIFTIEST WATCH. I have no idea what it does, but I know it is great. YAY YAY YAY.
Hello 40!
Friday is the party. Saturday there are likely to be pictures. So get ready to laugh and if you have any musts for 80's parties, please let me know ASAP.
Happy Birthday, Tess! 40 is (was) a wonderful age to be. Enjoy it to the fullest!
Posted by: edebock | March 17, 2010 at 11:37 PM
tesstes, i didn't call but did send a fbook message. sounded like a perfect day. you deserved it!
Posted by: uncle graeme | March 18, 2010 at 02:45 AM
happy birthday!
Posted by: knobody | March 18, 2010 at 03:12 AM
I agree that the Bootcamp is the better workout but some people pooh pooh it and claim you can really lose weight with the runs.
Love to all....Dad
Posted by: Dad Lyons | March 18, 2010 at 06:55 AM
Happy Birthday!!!
Sorry about the not tap dancing part. I had high hopes
Posted by: joeinvegas | March 18, 2010 at 07:45 AM
Fabulous way to start your adventure of being 40, honey! You are gorgeous and I love you. M xox
Posted by: Mo aka Maureen aka Grandmother aka Mum | March 18, 2010 at 08:53 AM
Happy Birthday, Tess!
Posted by: molly | March 18, 2010 at 09:32 AM
That Sela - so smart! Happy Birthday Dear Tess!! (Get well soon Pam.)
Posted by: Penny | March 18, 2010 at 11:14 AM
Happy Birthday Terrific Tess! I know you will love your watch - what a fab gift! I have a Polaris and can synch it with my computer for training programs....a bit complicated for a simple girl like me, but smart looking and useful. Have a super day - you are such an amazing woman!
Love Jill
Posted by: Jill Swann | March 19, 2010 at 12:02 PM
Happy, happy, blessed, fun, fabulous birthday, you are very brave about being the big 40 and not having any crises at all. I will follow your example next year, not the 12 km run, the happy peace thing!
Posted by: Mel | March 21, 2010 at 10:47 PM
Happy Belated Birthday from another 1970 baby!
Posted by: Jody | March 23, 2010 at 08:11 PM
Happy Belated Birthday to the most FABULOUS 40 yr old chick on earth!! I love you!!
Posted by: Tammy | March 24, 2010 at 03:50 AM
Happy Birthday. Thanks for letting us share it with you. I sure am glad that I can look to my older sister-in-law for advice, on how to deal with the forties. Love always Bobb.
Posted by: Bobb | March 27, 2010 at 03:31 PM
happy birthday--just popped in to see what you're up to and see you're up to birthdays! So happy birthday to you! And the garmin is fab. I gave it to my endurance-athlete-crazy-runner-husband a couple of years ago and he loves it--esp b/c he runs on old logging trails in mountains w/ no one around, etc!
Happy birthday, tess!
Posted by: polly | April 01, 2010 at 11:46 AM