Happy Birthday, Douglas!!

Saturday, the 3rd, was Doug's 36th birthday (when am I supposed to stop saying how old you are, baby?).  The boys made him some homemade cards which they gave them right before breakfast.  After that, we headed out on our usual Saturday trek to swim lessons in Robinson (thankfully they are starting in the city in early February!).  It was a little more complicated this week though because we were carless and there was freezing rain icing the roads.  The night before we had arranged to borrow a friend's sedan to get to the lessons, but then that morning we found that classes had been cancelled, but we were able to get lessons later in the morning, so we still all smooshed into the car and headed out to Robinson (once the temps were above freezing and the roads weren't dangerous!).  We really wanted to make it all work because 1) we wanted to be together with Doug and 2) we wanted to go to lunch with Doug to celebrate his birthday as a family.  Thankfully we were able to pull it off and get a few errands done along the way as well.  Check out the brood of boys in the back seat!

After swim lessons, we took Doug to Olive Garden on the way home (we had a gift card from friends...turns out OG is a great place to take kids, such a great kids menu and lots of space and they are totally used to families).  Dad and his boys...

In the afternoon, I laid the boys down and Doug went out to spend some Christmas cash he received down on Walnut St. for a few needed wardrobe items.  I think some alone time mixed with shopping was the perfect afternoon activity for the birthday boy!  He came home and was ready to play with his boys again before he and I headed out on the date I'd prepared (way, way in advance since he mentioned about 6 months ago that he'd like to do his birthday dinner at this particular restaurant).  We met 4 other couples, some of our dearest friends here in the Burgh, at E2 in Highland Park for a family style meal in their cool basement space.  It was such a lovely evening (and an AMAZING meal!).  Here's a shot of the friends that gathered to celebrate with us.

Doug and I both just enjoyed a long, relaxed evening with these dear friends (over really great food of course).  A little picture of me with my birthday boy.  Love this man!!

Happy Birthday, Douglas!  And thanks to the Edwards, Troxells, Speakmans and Ammiratis for spending the evening with us.  We love all of you so much and treasure your friendship!