Happy Birthday to Me-Party #2

Let’s start by saying I have the best friends in the world. Friends fly in to celebrate with me and then my local friends insist on having a party for me. Hao would not let me just have a casual 30th birthday celebration. She said, “You only turn 30 once!” However, as my Korean students would say I am already thirty if I was to use the Lunar Calendar. Luckily, I don’t use the Lunar Calendar and I am just now 30.

The good/bad part about my birthday is that it almost always falls on a holiday weekend. (Happy Birthday MLK.) That being said, means my friends are not always around to celebrate. Not this time! I had a swinging party of 11 kids-Ivey, Hoang Linh, Leah, Risa, Ha Lien, Peyton, Kayla, Maya, Marlee, Trevor, and Hallie and then 16 adults. It was loud and lots of fun.

Here is Steven & Ivey and Julie & Leah

I wish I would have taken a picture of all the kids and adults, but I was not used to having a good camera so I forgot and just celebrated. I'll get better. I promise!

Like always Hao had way too much food but it was delicious. There were ribs, meatballs, chicken wings, shrimp, baked spaghetti, and lots of sides. Not to mention the adult drinks were flowing freely. Of course there was a gigantic cake too. The afternoon/evening was filled with all kinds of playing. The two big hits were the kid’s DJ/MP3 player station and for the adults Wii Dancing.

I definitely enjoyed the singing to me and blowing out the candles which said 37 because no one had thought to bring/buy candles. I thought it was quite funny! I could be 3, 7, 37, or 73. I am sure you can see that 37 is closest so that is what we went with.

The afternoon turned into evening when the fun continued. After second and third rounds of food and games the night concluded outside at the fire pit. (It was like fall weather for you Michiganders who are thinking how in the world can you be outside in January.) We toasted and burnt marshmallows for s'mores. It was delectable.

A special THANKS goes to Hao and John forletting us all invade your house in my honor. What a fabulous party! Thanks again!

Happy Birthday to Me-Party #1

Wow! Three parties in one weekend all for me was a bit much. I definitely feel loved and now also exhausted.

Friday, January 16th (My 30th) was when the fun began. My assistant and I share the same birthday so the room parent arranged for us to go out to lunch. (We went to LaRussa's where I had a delicious Greek Chicken Soup and Eggplant Sandwich.) On top of that the kids piled in with cards and flowers. They were so sweet!
When the bell rang at 2:30 I flew out the door. I was anxious to get home to meet Toni and Risa who had flown in from Florida. My parents picked the two of them up. As soon as I opened the door I was surprised again. Julie and Leah flew in! I was totally caught off guard. Can you feel the love? I'm telling you I am super loved!

After opening presents and taking the few pictures below. Karissa joined us for a birthday dinner at Shiki Sushi. Toni and I shared sushi while the less cultured eaters had Hibachi. (However, there was some car seat issues during this time too but it all worked out.) Then it was home for ice cream cake. That was party #1!

Here is my first ever short movie clip.

I just love my new camera. (Thanks Mom and Dad!)

I am sure you are all looking forward to many more!