The big 2-8

My birthday is 3 days after Christmas. Growing up I always had mixed emotions about this birthday. Sometimes I would get the dreaded "combination" gift where people try to say they remembered your birthday, but combined it with your Christmas gift. Sometimes I actually got Christmas cards as birthday cards. C'mon people, can't you put in some effort? I never had a huge turnout at parties because all my school friends were away with family over the holiday break. I never was able to bring cupcakes to school on my actual birthday. BUT, one thing I have to say is that after the let down of Christmas being over, it is so great to have my birthday to look forward to. My mom always made sure that it was a special day for me. I remember when I turned 16, I woke up to the song "Sixteen Candles" playing over and over outside my bedroom door. I remember a yummy birthday breakfast with mimosas when I turned 21.
This year she suprised me with a cake that Ava "made". I spent an entire day shopping with Anthony. Gramma watched the girls so that we could enjoy the day together. It was supposed to be a day shopping for me, but of course I had to sneak in a cute hair accessory for Ava and Anthony picked up a couple things too. I had to tutor a student on the evening of my birthday (a math teacher is always busy), but I came home to blow out a few candles on the homemade cake. It was a quiet birthday with my little family, but I wouldn't change anything about it.