birthday.

 A few weeks ago, we celebrated my 22nd birthday with a wonderful mix of chinese take out, family, friends, flowers, presents, and ice cream pie. (I'm not a big fan of cake, so my mom has made me ice cream pies for my birthday ever since I was little!) It was such a fun, relaxing evening. Aren't those flowers from D so beautiful? They really reminded me of fall.

Also, can you believe I got this fortune in my fortune cookie on my birthday? What could be better?!

I really wish I had brought my camera to school on my birthday. My darling (and very sneaky) 6th graders found out it was my birthday, and they threw me my first ever surprise party! They all hid under their desks after we came back from lunch, and they jumped out and yelled "SURPRISE!" They even brought cake and presents!! My favorite part was the sweetest handmade card they presented to me after the party. It started out as just one folded piece of paper, but more kids wanted to sign it so they stapled more paper onto the back. The notes my students wrote me almost made me cry! They were all so sweet.

The next day, D and I went out to dinner at Tucanos with friends. If you haven't been, it's one of our favorites! It just so happens that I share a birthday with our friend Laird, and Emma's birthday is only one day later! 

I've known Emma since elementary school, and our husbands just so happen to be best friends too! She gave me the sweetest shout out on her blog for my birthday, so I wanted to send her a little love as well. All the pictures she posted are exactly how I remember high school, and she's in every single one. We truly have been through everything together. I love this girl so much! 

 Daniel & John

 Laird & Daniel

It was an excellent triple-birthday bash. We ate way too much meat at Tucanos, and then carved some  awesome pumpkins together. My favorite is John's white pumpkin carved like Jack Skellington - how cool is that?!

Thanks everyone for all of your sweet birthday wishes. I felt so loved! I have the best friends and family in the world!