Mom's Birthday

Saturday was my mom's birthday.  She's 66!  She was 27 when she had me, her 5th child.  I was 27 when I had my first child.  She went on to have 4 more boys after me.  Those little boys gave me so much grief growing up.  But now when the girls complain about Ethan I just look at them like I am so bored and say, "You have One little brother, I had Four.  Deal with it".  I use that excuse every time, and every time it works like a charm.

 Lila, Me, Mom, Dad, nephew Andrew, Ethan & Emry - Glenn is taking the photo.    
Obviously my kids were not cooperating.

We had a birthday dinner on Sunday.  I made the salad and rolls & mom made the roast and vegetables.  So nice that she also brought sweet potatoes especially for me.  All served on my new table cloth which I am in love with.

The rolls turned out DIVINE if I do say so myself (and I do).  I'll be the first to say when I make a disaster, but these were not.  I always cross my fingers when making bread and hope the stars align.  HERE is the recipe.  I used 3 parts white flour to 1 part wheat.  I also used dough enhancer and vital wheat gluten (1 T each) which helped them turn out soft and fluffy.

On Saturday Mom and I had the best day ever.  I called her up and told her we were going shopping.  Mitchell style of course.  We hit up 2 Thrift Stores and struck gold.

I got more shirts!!  I got the 2 below, plus the one I am wearing on the bike (below) all $3 each, a sweater (from the boys dept. whatever) $1.75, the velour sweatsuit (a little snug but you can't be too picky when thrifting) $3, and 2 table cloths at $2 each (one below left, and the one in the dinner shot).

 Also got $4 worth of books.  I scored big time on these as 2 are huge sticker books with all the stickers intact and unused.  I am saving all these for a reward for when the kids show good behavior.  It might be a while.  The Oprah is for me of course.  It is from this year and only 50cents.  I love her magazine.

I was so happy with all that I got, you'd think it was my birthday.   Then we went to Costco for lunch (2 ceasar salads) and to pick up the Sunday roast. 

I enjoyed our day of shopping and lunch with just us two.  I was telling Mom in Costco how I couldn't have imagined a day like this a few years ago.  I had no family around and my kids were so little I never left them for more than a quick run to the grocery store. 

To be able to just roam the stores and shop with abandon (you can do that when after hours of shopping and 3 full bags you've spent less than $20) was so much fun.  Glad I could spend the day with you Mom!