IT'S MY PARTY...AND WHAT WAS IN THE BOX

Thank you so much for all of my thoughtful birthday wishes!  Our weekend was busy.  A sweet group of friends took me to breakfast a few days before my birthday, and then on my birthday my hubby -he's the best!- and I enjoyed a long breakfast and a bit of shopping before all of the partying got kicked off.  When the kids came home from school we opened the first round of presents and then headed to my parents' home for a big family shin-dig.  

I know you've been on pins and needles all weekend, so here's my big gift!

 

My sewing machine is ancient.  While a workhorse, it basically just sews straight or zig-zag seams.  I've always thought it would be great to have a machine that would do some fancier stitching and monogramming, although those are usually in the many thousands of dollars range.  Ray shopped around all by himself and found this good, reasonable alternative that should be great for some special projects here and there.  I have a friend with one that is the same brand so I'm looking forward to a few lessons from her so I can use it!  Anyone else have one of these?  Any thoughts or tips?


My dad used his jigsaw to cut out this huge sign.  You can't quite see it but in the corner it says "ish".  Hmmm.  Guess we'll get to use that one for the next 10 years.  Yippee.  :)

 

The table was so fun and full of some of my favorite colors.

My sis-the table designer-photographing her work.  The "runner" is made up of several fingertip towels laid together and the flowers were from Hobby Lobby...good move since she works for them at their Corporate Offices! She stamped the "40" cards from some old letterpress plates that my parents have.  Everything else was from my mom's vast stash of decorative items.  We love to shop her closet when decorating for special events!

 

My mom and sister used old photos scattered on the table and around the room.  See, I've always loved to read! (and those were my favorite "Bambi" sheets.)

 

My family worked together to compile 40 cards of characteristics they see in me (more on that in a future post). 

 

A few of Caleb's cards- "Mom's cool 12 things!  Loving, kind, cute, blogger"

Spelling isn't his strong suit, but this one says "Pictures, Changing, Christian, Susil".  When I was asking him about the "Changing", he said "You know Mom, you're always changing stuff around the house."  :) Just what I thought it meant.  Love that boy!

 

The kids anxiously await their turn on the back yard rope swing-the same one my sisters and I used to swing on.

And, the most popluar entertainment at Bree and Grandad's...sliding down the stairs in a satin pillow case!

Whew!  I survived turning 40.  :-) Thanks for allowing me to share some memories from my special day!  Tomorrow I'll share a recipe for what we had for dinner.  You're going to want it!