I’m in Canada this weekend to celebrate an important birthday.  No, not the United States’, which would be weird, seeing how I left the country and all.  So whose birthday is it?

It’s The Pie’s eighth birthday!  The Pie is my oldest niece (for those who don’t know), and I absolutely cannot believe she is eight years old today.  Although anytime I see photos of her from when she was a baby or year old or so, I can’t even remember her being that small.  It could be because she’s been speaking for so long.  Or that sometimes she seems like eight going on eighteen.  Or it could be because I have a horrible memory.  In any case, Pie, happy birthday!  You’ve really grown up a lot in the past year, turning from a little girl into a (should I say it? *gasp*) preteen: you’re really into clothes and their accessories and talking on the phone with your friends.  You’ve always been super inquisitive and curious, and that hasn’t changed at all.  You’re smart, funny, adorable, and still my sweet girl.  I love you!

I drove up to Toronto on Saturday, and we started celebrating The Pie’s eighth birthday right away.  Since the northern nieces and nephew begin attending camp this week, and it’ll be very busy around here, we went out for The Pie’s birthday dinner on Saturday night. She chose Thai food (she loves spring rolls!) for dinner and ice cream for dessert.  And Sunday was The Pie’s birthday party!  Last year, she had a spa party.  This year was all about being creative!

We strung beads to make necklaces.

We also bejeweled some jewelry boxes.

The girls also enjoyed a make-your-own-sundae bar.  Good times.

The night ended with some outdoor time.

Two scooters and a runner, who has a helmet on because she was riding a tricycle.

And all this fun was before the actual birthday has begun!  I’m sure tomorrow will be a great day, too.

Tonight I said goodnight to seven-year-old Pie.  I better get to bed so I can be up early to say good morning to eight-year-old Pie!

…I’m always listening to the same Paul McCartney playlist on my iPod.  I keep thinking of changing it up, but I never do.
 
…and I pass someone on the street, I’ll usually try to smile or nod or wave.  Most people will respond in a like manner.  Other people are jerks.
 
…I’m usually grimacing.  Because yes, I’m uncomfortable.  I’m sure you’ve noticed the excessive sweating, the probable panting, and my inability to run fast.  Although I’ve heard it’s supposed to get easier over time (I suppose years isn’t enough in my case), there’s always some body part that isn’t cooperating. I’m trying my best out there.

…sometimes I look like I’m talking to myself. I’m probably singing (see above). Or swearing at someone (see below).

…and you’re walking with someone else, you have the responsibility to move the eff out of the way.  Seriously.  Common courtesy.  Why should I have to move over and run on the grass (or in the street, unless I choose to do that, or in a frikkin’ ditch)?  You do not own the sidewalk.  It’s like a two-way street.  Except it’s a sidewalk.
 
…and you see me coming in your direction, move. (See above.)  And if I say “excuse me,” it’s because I want to pass you, not watch you come to a complete stop right in front of me.
 
…please keep your dog under control.  No, I’m not afraid of dogs (well, most of the time; when your dog is barking and charging at me, I’ll probably be a bit scared), but I am very allergic to them.  I don’t want to pet them or have them rub up against my legs.  Please, move over. (See above.)  And pull their leashes in a bit.
 
…don’t honk at me.  I don’t care if I know you.  Getting honked at is super annoying and startling, too.  And if I don’t know you, I promise you that this is not the way to get me to find you attractive.  I will never be interested in you.
 
…I have the right of way (unless I’m at a red light, obviously).  I’d appreciate it if you’d follow the rules, too.  Please stop at stop signs.  Please look both ways, not just in the direction in which you are turning.  My favorite is when I was in a situation like I was in the other day: I’m in the middle of crossing the street, and someone turns almost right into me.  While on their cell phone (not on a hands-free device either).  Awesome. 
 
…I’ve stopped caring what other people think of me (and I realize they probably don’t at all anyway).  I go out there, try my best, look my worst, and I don’t care.  I’m just getting some exercise, listening to my music, and doing what I can.  I know some people like to have running buddies; I actually like this time by myself.  Except for the whole running thing, that is. Working out kind of sucks (see above list).
 
…I’ll have random thoughts.  Like yesterday’s thought: “It would be hilarious if the vehicle that finally runs me down is that ice cream truck.”  (Have I mentioned I’m not very fast?)  Also yesterday: “I should put a list about all the things I think about while running on my blog.”  Hmm.  Maybe I should’ve reconsidered that one.

Two days in a row! (Remember yesterday? Probably not.  Go read it. I’ll wait.)

Today is my brother Sam’s 40th birthday.  Happy birthday, Sam!  40?!  Wow.  Here’s a song for you from another birthday boy:

Happy birthday to Paul McCartney!  The fine Sir Paul turns 69 today.  I’ll see you in a few weeks at Yankee Stadium, Paul!  I hope these two songs stay on your lineup this tour.  And if you want to send a ticket my way for a closer seat so I can see you from the front of the floor, that would be fine, too.

It’s a big day.  This is what we looked like ten years ago today:

From left: Mama, Rachel, Miriam, Granny, and me.  Ooh boy.

Don’t we look happy?  Of course we were.  We were at Rachel and Eitan’s wedding!

Dancing the night away.  Eitan looks like he’s contemplating his future.

Happy tenth anniversary, #1 brother-in-law and his wife! 

It’s also #1 b-i-l’s birthday.  When they first got engaged and were setting a date, Rachel mentioned her birthday.  I said (because I’m so optimistic) maybe she should reconsider; what if something happened? Would you want to ruin your birthday? I guess I didn’t say anything to my future brother-in-law.  Whoops. 

#1 b-i-l shares his special day with another important lady:

Granny started celebrating a few weeks early!

My grandmother is celebrating her 86th birthday today!  That fuzzy picture is Gramma (a.k.a. Granny, which the great-grandkids, and now I, call her) sharing a beer with my brother Adam at our cousin’s wedding over Memorial Day weekend.  Fun times! 

Happy birthday, Granny! And happy Mother’s Day 2010 (when this was taken)!

Oy! Not that Six.

No!  This guy turns six today!

Not a recent picture of the boy.

Happy birthday to the northern nephew, who is known as Mowgli here on the blog.  I can’t believe he’s six.  The kids are growing up so fast; pretty soon, I can just ask them to consent to posting their pictures instead of asking their parents (okay, maybe not so soon, but still).  Anyway, six!  Happy birthday, Mowgli!  You’re a smart, funny, adorable little boy.  I love you!  I wish I could be with you to give you your birthday kiss on the cheek!

Happy birthday to my youngest niece! The Duck turns three today! She’s not really a duck. But she is a sweet, funny, fantastic little girl. I’m sad that I won’t see you today, youngest niece…but I’ll see you tomorrow! I love you!

Hi Mom,
 
Happy Mother’s Day!  A day late.  I know I got you a card and wished you a happy Mother’s Day in person, but still.  I have a blog.  Bloggers should be writing something on their blogs for their mothers.  On time.  But instead, what did I do?

Nothing this adorable, I assure you.

On Saturday night, I told you that your gift will be late…because I hadn’t ordered it yet. ( I usually make my mother a calendar with pictures of her grandchildren, which I create and order online.  Hadn’t done it.  She told me she wanted something else anyway, so I guess that worked out.) 
 
I woke up Sunday morning and handed you your card while you were on the phone.  Then I cried all morning.  Celebration!  I hope you enjoyed it!

I want you!…to stop crying and to not get me another calendar.

Then I went shopping while you were working.  Great way to spend Mother’s Day together, right?  I promised to be back early to start prepping dinner, which you requested we (Miriam and I) make instead of taking you out. 

Even though you took us out to dinner for our birthday just the week before (post pending).

We didn’t get back early.  And then we handed you the gift you said you wanted (a digital photo frame).  But we didn’t wrap it.  And I didn’t load photos on it yet.  Here you go!  And dinner was late, of course.  
 
Worst. Daughter. Ever.

To be clear, the worst daughter ever is wearing the pink scarf.

But every day should be Mother’s Day, right?  We should be thankful each and every day that we have the best mother in the world (strange how we all have the best mother, but there you go).  I should thank you every day for everything you’ve done and continue to do for me.  That shouldn’t happen on one Sunday a year.  And so I’m extending the celebration by writing this post a day late.  Yeah, that’s why.  
 

My mom: Kickin’ ass every day of the year!

Happy Mother’s Day, Mom! I love you.

Happy birthday, Miriam!  My sister Miriam turns 32 today.  She’s my twin sister, of course, so that means today is my 32nd birthday, too.  That’s how it works when you’re identical twins.  Do you think we look alike?

Let’s get together, yeah, yeah, yeah!

Miriam and I exchanged gifts on Wednesday night, mostly because she asked me to stop by her apartment and since her heavy gift was already in my trunk, I had her help me bring it inside. (It was another set of dishes and mugs for her new place.  She now has eight place settings, so she has no excuse for not inviting all of my readers over for brunch.)  When Miriam gave me my gift, I was shocked.  Actually, let me take a step back: I thought we had an unspoken pact to not get each other gifts.  Apparently, I was wrong.  I accidentally found out that she had gotten me a gift.  It worked out since she needed that second set of dishes.  Anyway, back to my shock.  I was sure she got me this:

She didn’t, which means I still have to get it.

Instead, she got me this:

Whoa.

I know, right?  I don’t even think I smiled at first because I was so surprised.  Thanks, Moo!  I’ve been wanting a new camera for a long time, actually, since the one I had sucks and I haven’t used it in years.  I feel bad that she spent so much money on me.  But I love it!  I need to learn how to use all the settings.  Miriam came over that night for dinner, and afterward, I made us some smoothies, which were the subjects of my first photos on my new camera.

I was double fisting the beverages.  It was a hot night.

Miriam seemed to enjoy her smoothie immensely.

So that was the other day.  I took today off from work.  Happy birthday to me!  I actually didn’t sleep so well.  I guess my brain really wanted to see parts of the royal wedding.  I did tune in when I woke up around 6 a.m., which was after the ceremony had already started.  I was up again around 8 or so, in plenty of time to see the newlyweds on the balcony at Buckingham Palace for their first (and second!) kiss.  They’re cute.  I slowly got myself up and moving and out the door for a run.  It’s a beautiful day for one!  I love not having to bundle up to go out; I actually wore capris and a short-sleeved shirt.  Sometimes it’s still very cold on my birthday despite it being practically May, so that’s nice.  When I came home, I made myself these:

Birthday pancakes!  That I can’t format properly on the blog (I wanted them to be side by side).

I also made these muffins for a gathering tomorrow night:

Banana chocolate chip, of course!

I made them with whole wheat pastry flour this time, so I had to make sure they tasted alright:

On my plate.  And soon after in my belly.

That last picture is there just because I wanted to show off my skills on my new camera.  But I do work in quality assurance, and I assure you, it was delicious.  And I assure you that I do a better job than this quality assurance guy:

Although I’m equally creepy.

Anyway, this post is super long.  And the day has just begun!  I’m off to get ready to go pick up my mom; she’s traveling back from Toronto today, but her bus doesn’t come here, so I’m taking a drive to go pick her up. I figure that since she went to all that trouble to give birth to me 32 years ago, the least I can do is go deliver her from her bus stop to her home. The plan is to go out to dinner after that.  I hope to be back with some photos of that fun event tomorrow!