Happy Birthday to ME!

It was the most amazing day I have had in a very long time. I usually get so excited about my birthday, and then it usually turns out to be a disappointment. Mostly because I have unclear, and ridiculous expectations… so this year, I decided… it will just be another day, and if anything fun and exciting happens, then it will be an added bonus. I did make a recommendation, (maybe I am slightly OCD…) and that was to attend the opening of the butterfly house, at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens, (My new favorite place in Hampton Roads!) Joel went above and beyond the call of Birthday Girls Husband. He invited the Siweks, and planned a picnic at the gardens too. Really, he even brought food, and silverware, and drinks… ok, so he forgot napkins… but he thought of everything else. Impressive!

Smith enjoyed his first ever pickle… and we were all able to enjoy the smell of it the rest of the day. I thought these cookies were ridiculously cute! And they were equally delicious…   The magnolias were absolutely beautiful. I just wanted to steal them! Hah… sometimes… I crack myself up… did anybody else get that? Anyways… I would have stolen the magnolias… but they were bigger than Nora’s head, so I’m pretty sure, I wouldn’t have gotten away with it. Aren’t they amazing? When we arrived at the Butterfly house, I said, “My birthday would be absolutely perfect, if a butterfly landed on one of us.” No pressure… but we all wanted Kirstynn to have a “Perfect birthday”… right? I was so impressed with the amazing creatures in the house. It had me dreaming of all the photography equipment I will someday have. (I allow myself to fall into the “it’s all about me” rut… maybe once a year… so kill me!) But look at these amazing, colorful, and kinda freaky bugs…

This one just mesmerized me… it is a Caterpillar with what looks like lady bugs all over it! They double in size, EVERYDAY! It was crazy… I want to go back tomorrow, just to see how huge it will be!  And then…  

I got my birthday wish! She was so still, and so in tune with this beauty. She even said, “bonjour butterfly”, which is what “Fancy Nancy” says, whenever she meets a butterfly. Notice her dress?

We then went on to the new Exhibit, The Enchanted Storybook Forest. I guarantee, you will be seeing and hearing more about this place, as the summer goes on. I was very impressed with the exhibit, and Nora was equally impressed. It is displays of different children's stories.

Alice and Wonderland:

The Old Woman that lived in a shoe… and had so many children, she didn’t know what to do… that’s me… 

They also have, The Three Little Pigs, Old Mac Donald, and lots more! Plus, they have these little “Roaming Gnomes”. That must be what makes it “Enchanted”.

This was Smith for 95% of the day! He was so great, and so was daddy! They are BY FAR… my favorite men in my life! But when our lil’ Bubs woke up… we HAD to have him pose for a picture.  

The day was so amazing! I am so excited to go into my 32nd year. If I could only get a bottle of whatever Nora has been taking… I think I would have her energy Happy 4th of July!