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have so many things that have happened lately I don't know where to start. I know that you are all waiting on my birthday happenings post. I have pictures to post of my new hair doo, and Emma pulled a funny one this morning that I want to annotate. So, this post does not really have a title. It's just my last few happenings mixed all together in one. I will post in chronological order.

July 30th - Jason had given me close to no clues about my birthday surprise. I'm an extremely good surprise guesser so his best bet it to go ex na (sp) on the clues all together. On the day before the planned activity, Jason had to figure out some last minute arrangements. Through that, I gathered a few clues. It was outdoors, sitting indoors would make it less fun, and he had a reservation for seating. My first thought was a baseball game. And I'm not going to lie, I was hoping that was not it. I could not think of anything else that you would reserve bleach seating for.

The next day Jason programmed the address in the car. He would not let me in the car until he had done so, because the street name would give it away. An hour and a half later we were about to arrive at our destination. Jason feverishly tried to turn down the sound of the navigation, but before he could get to it I heard, "Turn left on Emerald Downs."

I knew the name. Emerald Downs Casino. But, for a moment it did not dawn on me exactly what we would do there. I thought, "A casino? What will we do here? We aren't gamblers and even if we were we don't have any money." But no sooner did I think that I remembered they had horse racing. Jason and I had loved their commercials on the radio and always thought we should go sometime. We had been horse racing before in Maryland and had loved it. I was very excited. It got more exciting as we made our way to our seats. Karen had reserved us box seats right next to the finish line. The first couple races I figured out how to read the statistics. It's all very confusing. Lots of lingo. We had purchased the beginners book, though, so it told us what all the abbreviations and numbers meant. When I felt like I knew what I was doing I made a prediction on which horse would win. And he DID win!! So Karen gave us $20 so we could place real bets on the horses (which I guess does make us gamblers) Of course, wouldn't you know non of my picks won after that. Half way through Jason presented me with a muffin with a candle in it and they sang me happy birthday. It was very special. Karen treated us to pizza. The announcer was supposed to announce my birthday as well but Jason and I were placing a bet when they did so I didn't get to hear it. We had a couple really close calls. I followed the horses around the track with binoculars until they were at the finish line. It was very nerve racking, in a good way, and very fun.

Then we went home. The Craigs came over for cake and ice cream. I opened my gifts. Mom gave me a stunning new pots and pans set. I was in dyer need of one. Jason gave me an adorable salt and pepper shaker set shaped like cats with lilacs on them. The Craigs gave me a much appreciated AMC theatre gift card which we used to watch Cowboys vs. Aliens. It was a very pleasant birthday. I hardly remembered I was getting a year older. Jason went to a lot of trouble to make it very special for me. And Karen also was so nice to finance the trip and make it fun.

Now for my new hair style. Here are some pictures.

Funny story:

All my stories start from...the very beginning. So, let me take you to last night. It was Karen's last evening. She treated us to a good-bye dinner at Sweet Rice (Thai food) and then we came home and had smores on the camp fire for dessert. Emma had only had a 20 min car ride nap the whole day so she was very fussy and defiant. When it was time to say her last good-byes to Karen it did not go over well. We offered for her to sit and read with Karen on the couch or to read to her in her bed. We even offered for her to sleep next to Nana in the living room, but all she wanted was to cuddle with mommy in mommy's bed. So, we compromised and I held her in her bed while Nana sat on a pillow next to the bed and read a few books. Emma fell asleep on my chest. When I tried to move her she woke up and started crying again. So, Nana offered to sit with her until she went back to sleep. Five minutes later she was asleep again. I had given her sleepy cough medicine and thought for sure it would help her sleep through the night.

For whatever reason, maybe she was anticipating Nana departure, she ended up waking up around 0400 (I did not actually check the time) She came in the room wanting to get in my bed. I pulled her up since I knew the alarm would be going off soon. She did not fall back asleep. She was quiet and still for the most part, but as usual she could not find a comfortable position.

Jason got up an hour later to take Karen to the bus stop where she would get a ride to the airport. Emma appeared to be wide awake. Fortunately, she was still coughing. So, while they were gone I gave her some more sleepy medicine and she went down in her own bed with out a fuss.

Jason and I had stayed up talking the night before and then with the early morning we were both pretty tired by the time he got back from the bus stop. An hour later, he got up again and went to work. I rolled over on his side of the bed as I always do to get the best sleep, and thought to myself that Emma would surly sleep until late morning.

Sure enough I heard her come out of her room a couple hours later. I did not check the time but my eyes and body were definitely not ready to get up. So, I told her to go back to her bed. She did not go back to her bed, but she did play quietly in the house and I was able to fall back asleep.

This is where the funny part comes in. Poor little Emma was being so patient and quiet playing in the house. Finally, at 1000 I heard her quietly sneak into my bed. It felt like it was still very early in the morning, but I figured I would let her come up. I rolled over and opened my eyes to help her get in the blankets, but instead she was sitting on her knees with a movie in her hands patiently waiting for me to wake up. When I did turn to her and open my eyes, she whispered, "Watch movie?" I couldn't help but smile at how cute and patient she was. I told her yes, so she hoped down from the bed and started pulling the blankets off of me and said, "Come on. Watch movie."

I set her up with her movie and then realized it was 1000. Jason would be home in an hour for lunch so I decided to stay up in spite of my tired eyes.

Now before I close out this blog I have to tell you what happened just now. I took a break from writing because Jason came home for lunch. Emma got busy playing with a barbie that she calls "Princess" that I had given her a couple days ago from my childhood collection. She's been carrying it around as her favorite toy since then. I was just about to post this on my blog when she came running up to me and said, "Princess bath?" I thought that was a cute idea so I went with Emma to the bathroom to prepare a bath. As I walked I wondered if I would take the barbie's clothes off or not. But, when I got to the bathroom and went to turn on the water, 'Princess' was already sitting naked in the tub. I laughed and turned on the water. Emma said, "There you go, Princess. Take a bath." Then she took her own clothes off and got in with her. When I left she was washing her Princess' hair.

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