Birthday Time Again

So this weekend, yesterday actually, I had a birthday. The festivities started Friday when the K teachers said we had a meeting during our planning time. So, in to the grade chair's classroom I went, personalized cilpboard, planner, and pen in hand, to take some serious notes about school stuff. Instead, Mandy pulled out a great big gift bag, and inside was a separate gift from each teacher. So here's the list (so I'll always remember!):
from Mandy: giraffe print wallet
from Courtney: Memphis Tigers t-shirt
from Tracey: monogrammed coaster said, ceramic inspirational sign "In trying times, don't quit
trying."
from Nicole: monogrammed button keychain
from Patricia: Memphis Tigers travel bag
from Annalyn: travel cup, monogrammed
from Marilyn: Starbucks gift card (just in time for Pumpkin Spice Frappucinos!)

Sam and I enjoyed a nice relaxing evening at home Friday. Then, Saturday, on my birthday, I started the day right with Jazzercise, then had lunch at On the Border with Jennifer. Once Sam was home and off work, we'd decided that we really just wanted a nice quiet dinner out instead of doing the whole downtown thing. Laura met us in East Memphis to eat at Old Venice Pizza cafe. We had bbq pizza... delicious!
Sam gave me a bouquet of flowers, the matching band to go on the other side of my engagement ring, and a few decorative things for the house.

Today, we met my parents for a belated birthday breakfast at Cracker Barrel. They gave me cash from them and cash from Momo. I used a little bit of it today to buy a cut new purse. The rest I'll save until I find something I'm dying to have.

It's funny. Turning 26 does feel different. I feel like I'm truly on the downhill side of my twenties, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. To say the last few years have been a little challenging would certainly be true. They have been good, but also challenging. I'll leave it at that. This year, now that I'm the big 2-6, I'm really looking forward to growing and learning as a kindergarten teacher, building our savings, and spending more and more quality time with my husband. So, now that the birthday weekend is ending and this new age/number has finally sunk in, I'm looking forward to seeing what this year brings!