And The Kid Turns 25....

Today is Daniel's 25th birthday. To paraphrase something my marvelous son said, "We did not *give him life* but we *gave him A life*." He has my heart. Always. We went to church this morning and then out to lunch at Panera Bread. We had stopped at the newer Panera at The Greene, our newest mall. It is all outdoors and filled with wonderful stores and restaurants. I clucked plenty when they destroyed this wooded area to build it but here I am...shopping and eating there. Okay, I DO feel like a hypocrite! Yup, a BIG one but still...there we were... After lunch we went into a place called "Sassy Girl Spa". Every young girl's dream store according to the Diva who lives in our house. Part beauty shop, part decorative treasures for the young girl's bedroom, part fashion trend accoutrement shop. Yeah, Grace's idea of Heaven. Especially when one of the staff took her aside, painted a glittery star on the Diva's cheek and sprayed pink glitter in her hair. Uh huh. Heaven. Then it was on to "Justice For Girls" to do a little bathing suit shopping. After much debate and while Daddy and Grandma still had SOME hair left on their heads (Oh the hair pulling was fierce...all that stressful shopping!) we decided on a cute striped number. Grace still had some BD (That's *birthday* NOT Brian Dennehy) money left so she also chose matching flip flops and a bag which featured a monkey quite prominently on the front! I mean, a diva must be properly coordinated when she hits the pool right? Otherwise she would end up looking like...like...like...her Mommy! Egads! Albeit a slightly less chubby one! Home again to check on the pets and present Dan with his gifts! I should have taken a picture of the packages Grace wrapped for him. Beautifully done! It was shame to tear into them! He got money and books and clothes...all appreciated and will be enjoyed. All of us then headed for SIMA, a new Japanese/Korean BBQ/Sushi Bar. It was absolutely delicious and we all plan on returning soon! Now we are home and have just popped in the DVD of Disney's "The Absent Minded Professor". Popcorn is popping and it is cuddle on the couch time... Tomorrow will be a family BD get together here. We are fixing a huge lasagna and salad with coconut cake and chocolate ice cream per Dan's request! It will be fun. I wish you all a sweet week ahead. To all my fellow Americans (and no, I am not giving a speech here...), enjoy your Memorial Day. Please pause to remember your loved ones who have gone on ahead but also remember our brave men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Say a prayer as well for our troops around the globe and for their families who are missing them. Love to you all! Hugs!