The Miss Elaine-ous Life

random acts of life, family and photos

34

by

So, I’m 34 today. Yes, my birthday is 3/26/75. My Dad always says I should’ve been born on the 25th because 3 x 25 = 75. He likes math. I don’t. Sorry Daddio! ; )

When I was a little girl I loved having a “Spring” birthday. My birthday fell on or around Easter several times and my Mother always made me festive cakes that included things like bunnies, flowers and even a cute umbrella one year.

On what I believe was my 3rd birthday, we were “down on the farm” so to speak at my Grandparents’ farm in south Texas. I love “vintage” photos of me and my family so I thought I would share some from that day (except mine don’t have captions likes hubs’ did in last year’s birthday guest post), including one with my cousin in the garden and one with my “bunny” cake, which was fantastic. My mother out did herself with gum drops and licorice and Easter “grass” in the background. I’m telling you it was total cake awesomeness.

I’m pretty sure my birthday was actually on Easter Sunday that year. And I’m also pretty sure I was wearing some of my brothers’ hand-me-downs…

Me and my cousin Sandra in the garden with our Easter baskets.

With one of my birthday presents in front of the ole OlsmoBuick that we had until the headliner was sagging…

The infamous and fabulous bunny cake

And now I leave you with 34 things I’ve learned in my 34 years:

1. Sometimes it’s just easier to do it yourself

2. You really should NOT put that red shirt in with the whites

3. My parents are usually right

4. Elaine actually is a pretty good name

5. There are times when you just need a good ole PB & J

6. Being the “best” isn’t always best but it sure does feel good to reach your own goals.

7. Chocolate chip cookies turn out better when you mix the dough in your Kitchen Aid

8. Watering your plants and flowers helps to keep them alive

9. When you throw something away that your child was coveting make sure to “bury” it underneath the other trash

10. Addiction sucks

11. Aspartame is evil

12. Kids love to help where they can, just get them involved

13. It really is always better to tell the truth

14. You cannot trust everyone.

15. Your hair color will change as you get older and although you cannot help it you can thank your lucky stars for a good colorist

16. Always bring a change of clothes (for the kids at least…)

17. Spanish from Dora

18. It’s REALLY bad to sit in a fire ant’s nest

19. Good times with family are priceless

20. Close the door to the bathroom when you have playgroup at your hosue, otherwise a Diego figure could wind up in the toilet, costing you a little money in plumbers fees

21. You should definitely take advantage of the library (thanks to my MIL)

22. Breastfeeding is hard at first but if you can make it work it’s SO worth it

23. Marriage takes WORK and has peaks and valleys but is so worth the ride too

24. Laughter AND sleep are the best medicines

25. Dairy Queen makes the best soft serve

26. How to sight read music

27. Trigonometry (ok, so I was good at one kind of math…)

28. Good friends are hard to find but when you do it’s so wonderful

29. If you can’t see the board in 3rd grade then you probably need glasses

30. Males REALLY like fart and poop jokes, at ANY age

31. Time goes by so slowly when you are kid and so quickly when you are an adult

32. The pet store can entertain kids for at least 30 minutes

33. Play-doh is fine for kids to eat, in small amounts and not for dinner of course…

34. Being a mother is the most amazing and challenging I’ve ever done

There you have it.

Thanks to those of you who’ve already sent me birthday wishes in some form or fashion and an extra special thanks to Haley who sent me some birthday treats!

elaine

Comments

  4. lol this was a very educational and funny birthday post! Cute idea listing all the things you’ve learned! I liked it! Happy Birthday!!! Hope it’s awesome 🙂

  5. I was born on Feb. 26 and my dad wanted me to be born on the 28th… Leap Day. Thanks dad!

    Happy Birthday Lainey!!! Enjoy your day and eat lots of cake! 😉

  7. Wishing you a magical and memorable birthday Elaine. I enjoyed your fun list that you compiled.

    I am looking forward to hearing all about your special day.

    Sending lots of love
    Elise

  8. Happy Birthday Elaine. As a springtime baby myself (OK, I’m really 36 ;o) I so related to your post…and your fond memories of special b-day cakes created by your Mom. My mom did the same thing and I’m continuing the tradition with my kids.

    LOVED your list. So fun, and SO true!

  13. Happy birthday! This is a great list!
    I actually won a bunny cake when I was 4 or 5, it was very similar to what your mom made.
    Second, Trig was also the only math I really actually enjoyed. Maybe because there were “words” involved?:)

  14. Happy Birthday, Elaine!! I’m only about five months older than you. 🙂

    Ok, so those pictures look like it is your older son wearing a blonde wig. The resemblance is crazy!!

    Hope you enjoy your day!!!

  16. Happy Happy Birthday Elaine! I just love this birthday post and esp the 34 things you learned in 34 years. Hope you have a fantastic day because you so deserve it.

  17. Happy Birthday Elaine!!!
    I haven’t quite mastered #8 (watering plants) I DO NOT have a green thumb. I even killed my rock garden.
    #28 (laughter & sleep) SO IMPORTANT!!
    Hope you have a fabulous day!!!

  18. Happy Birthday Elaine!!!
    I haven’t quite mastered #8 (watering plants) I DO NOT have a green thumb. I even killed my rock garden.
    #28 (laughter & sleep) SO IMPORTANT!!
    Hope you have a fabulous day!!!

  19. I love the cake and so need to get off diet coke so explain (email me)if you want about #11 allknames at gmail dot com

    Happy Bestest Birthday ever. I am so behind on good mail, but will one day get caught up.

  21. A very Happy Birthday to you. I can just about agree with all of those and I am glad as we get older we DO get a little wiser. Atleast it’s something to look forward to!

  25. Happy Birthday! I hope your 34th year in this world brings about wonderful and miraculous things. I love your list, especially 22 and 25. SO TRUE.

  27. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!

    “Watering your plants and flowers helps to keep them alive”

    LMAO! Something I still have YET to grasp!

  30. Happy Birthday Elaine! I love the list idea, just might have to borrow it for myself in May, although I will be 37 yr old and not 34 : ).

    Laughter and sleep ARE the best medicine.

  36. oh darn. i thought i was going to be comment #34 but it looks like i will be #35. i like math too!!!

    anyway, happy birthday girl! i hope we get a girls night out on the calendar soon!

  37. Happy birthday, girlfriend! I’m lovin’ the vintage photos, and you’re right – that cake is spectacular. You’ve learned a lot of great things, I enjoyed the list. Trig was the one math I really loved, too.

  41. Happy birthday to you!!! I hope it’s a great day!

    I love the old photos and the pictures of your cake.

    p.s. B-man looks just like you when you were little!!!

  43. Happy birthday!

    Thanks for visiting my blog(s). I appreciate you stopping by and taking the time to leave me a comment.

  48. Loved the walk down memory lane with you.
    Loved your list…except the one about aspartame…I am kinda fond of it.;) I am drinking a Diet Coke in your honor.
    I hope your day was extra special…just like you!!!

  52. That is the coolest birthday post! I love it! I think you are right on with the things you’ve learned. Love the list!

    My birthday landed on Easter once and my mom actually bought two live chicks and put them in my Easter basket. It was SO EXCITING seeing those little yellows sweeties in my basket. When they grew up they went to live on my uncle’s farm. Very cool. 🙂

    Happy Birthday, Elaine! 🙂

  53. Happy Birthday Miss Elaine!!!!

    I laughed so hard at #29. Guess who couldn’t read the board in 3rd grade also??? And then I got red glasses and looked just like a brunette Sally Jesse Raphael. FASHION DISASTER!!! But I thought I looked cool. Story of my life, really.

  57. Happy Birthday friend!! I hope you had such a marvelous day!!

    Love the old school pictures of you, you were just as cute then as you are now!

    Hope you were spoiled rotten on your b-day! 🙂