Overheard at my birthday

 
 This year the girls have gotten a lot better at keeping birthday secrets. Not once did Ella have to say, "Mom pretend like you're not listening" like last year. They did try to throw me off the trail several times, though. First Ella kept insisting that they had gotten me a big rock. Then the day before my birthday, she announced that they had gotten me two dinosaurs and five pieces of carrion.

On my birthday, Ella whispered to Brent that she and Mabel had to go upstairs to their bedroom, sneak out the window and time travel back to get the two dinosaurs and the five pieces of carrion. Brent asked if he would need to make room in the fridge for the carrion, but Ella assured him that "Dinosaurs didn't use refrigeration. We can just keep it in the front yard or on the back steps."

I have to admit I was pretty disappointed when I didn't get the carrion. Just kidding. But I was thrilled with  the lovely pearl necklace and other accessories they picked out Ella insisted they get the one with three strands for the three girls.Oh, and also they got me a "lemonator" so I can stop using up all of our packing tape to badly laminate things. Woo hoo!

Brent also made me an awesome make-up Thanksgiving dinner since we were on the road, and a beautiful cake. Beatrix was sitting on my lap when the cake was cut and went to dive in with both hands. I said, "Beatrix." She looked at me, then picked up the fork and went for the cake. Excellent manners for a nine-month-old. She got her own piece of cake and pronounced it "goo," which is her highest compliment.