Birthmonth

Yesterday was my birthday, but I'm still celebrating birthmonth. I'm not sure when I started celebrating birthmonth, I know it began after I was married and had kids. I think I kind of invented it when I felt I was being jipped out of my birthday one too many times. My birthday always falls close to end of school celebrations, graduations, Father's Day (sometimes it's actually ON Father's Day...I don't reallly like that one), the beginning of summer madness, and my wedding anniversary (that was my own fault to plan a wedding so close to my birthday, but I was dumb and in love). Little by little I realized I wasn't getting to celebrate my birthday because of all the other things that tended to happen the same week as my birthday. I ended up having to celebrate my birthday a little bit earlier because something else was scheduled on my birthday, or postpone my birthday celebration until things calmed down...hence birthmonth was born.

I REALLY love birthmonth. I go out to eat A LOT. I take advantage of celebrating my birthday in any way possible for the entire month. I wanted to get a pedicure for my birthday yesterday but I ran out of time and I was kind of bummed until Trevor reminded me, "Mom, it's birthmonth, you can just go Monday...or Tuesday...or Wednesday." Then I wasn't sad anymore after I realized he was right, I didn't miss my birthday pedicure because I don't celebrate just one day. The kids want birthmonths...but I tell them they're not old enough. Sometimes they get birthweeks if I'm really busy, but I reserve birthmonth just for me.

End of an Era

Branden graduated (promoted?) from 6th grade on Wednesday. It was your typical 6th grade graduation...parents lining up at 6:30 in the morning to get a "good" seat...6th graders walking in one at a time...awards being given out for various accomplishments. Branden received a presidential academic award for having a 3.5 GPA or higher from 3rd-6th grade and receiving advanced scores on his star testing. About twenty 6th graders received that award, but Branden thinks it's cool that Obama signed it. Someone had prepared a video of all the students morphing from their kindergarten school picture to their 6th grade school picture. It was nice to see that Branden grew into his kindergarten ears.

Since Kelsie and Trevor were done with their finals, they went to support their little brother at graduation. Trevor had made a sign that said "I 'heart' Brande(o)n" in honor of his brother and the other Brandon's that were his friends. Trevor made sure to yell and hold up his sign whenever Branden's name was mentioned. It was pretty funny.

After graduation I realized that that was my last elementary school event. I have had kids at that school for 10 years. It's weird to think that I wont be driving there every day next year...but yet I'm not sad. Since I've already had kids at the junior high and high school I'm ready for it. And besides, Branden can walk to school next year so I wont have to drive. Now, that's something to look forward to.

After the graduation we rushed home, changed our clothes and hit the beach! The sun came out and the weather was beautiful. I'm SOOOOO glad it's summer!