Matt's birthday

I know, I know.... getting behind in blogging :(  The days go so fast and I feel like they are plenty full!  Yesterday was one of those challenging situations - our water was out, we found out about lunch time that we didn't pay the bill (don't laugh - it's hardly like they give you any warning, and often very difficult to find out how much money is left on your prepaid account.... the local version of "time to pay your water bill" = "we cut your water this morning and won't turn it on til the bill is paid").

So my helper went out to add money (it's a prepaid plan) to our water account, brought the water card back and slipped it in the reader - nada.  Tried again.  Nothing.  Got our local apartment management involved.  They said "give it some time".  Ha!  We called the water company, they said (essentially) "keep fiddling with it, try to make sure the chip in the card is smooth and readable, etc".  We tried some more.  Still no water.  Called the water company again.  They sent a repair man who changed out the entire water meter and card reader.  And, finally, we had water.  All in a days work.

Matt turned 35 on Tuesday!!  Our kids are big fans of birthdays (but still manage to have very low expectations, what a sweet little blessing!) and they were pumped and ready for the big day.  I think part of Isaac's delight stemmed from the fact that once Daddy's birthday is over he knows his birthday is next on the list (March 16th). 

We joined Matt and his co-workers for a fun lunch and then headed home to start decorating.  I made a chocolate cheesecake for dessert (Matt's request, took a little flexing on some ingredients, but it turned out beautiful AND yummy and the texture was perfect!)

Each of the kids worked on a birthday poster for the front door.  Here's Lydia hanging her poster while waiting for Matt to get home from work.

After dinner and dessert we had a little present opening session.  (We didn't think to take pictures til the kids were in their pjs!)

Happy Birthday Matt!  We loved celebrating your big day with you!!!