30th Birthday

That's right - I turned 30. I usually don't really care too much about my birthday. I think after 18, it just became another year passing. But I was excited about this one because, selfishly, I was looking forward to kicking back and relaxing and not feeling guilty about it!

The celebration really started on Thursday. My mom was still in town so she watched Avery that morning while I went to Starbucks and got my favorite breakfast - chai tea latte and cranberry orange scone. Then I went and got a pedicure! I thoroughly enjoy my pedicures because I really only splurge on them twice a year. (Don't worry I don't let my toenails grow three feet the rest of the year - I just do it myself.)

Friday night we went to the Downtown Square in McKinney. It is one of my favorite places to go. Casey was in town so he came with us and two of my friends who live in McKinney - Natalie and Michelle - met us.  

On Saturday, Rustin woke up with Avery so I could sleep in. While I was sleeping they went to get me Starbucks and donuts. He also gave me a gift certificate for a manicure/pedicure at this spa in an old house in downtown Allen I've been wanting to try forever.

I know some people plan huge celebrations for their 30th, but I just didn't want that. When I thought of having something big, it stressed me out. So we stayed in town and did something small. 

I LOVE staying at hotels. Eventually I want to stay just one night at each of the "fancy" hotels in Dallas. So Andrea booked the Mansion on Turtle Creek for a few of us girls.

During the day we hung out by the pool. The only picture I got was at night - 

After the pool, we got ready for dinner. When I came out of the shower the girls had decorated the hotel room!

That night we went to dinner at Nick and Sam's Grill. They even gave us a champagne toast!

The next day we went to brunch at Oddfellows, which is this place in the Bishop Arts District that I've wanted to try for a while. The coffee there is supposed to be amazing and it did not disappoint in that area. It was the best chai latte I've ever tasted.

I'm very thankful for all my family and friends who made my 30th very special. Avery even had a surprise for me that day, but I'll save that for another post...

St. Patty's Day

There are few traditions in Dallas as big as the annual St. Patty's Day Parade. I think I've gone almost every year since moving here except for the year Rustin and I got married right around this time.

I read an article the other day saying 100,000 people come to it. But this year it almost didn't happen because the city didn't have enough money. Luckily we have one cool owner of a Dallas sports team. Mark Cuban donated $40,000 to make it happen.

I thought of not going this year. I'm old and have a baby now. But if Mark Cuban is going to fork out that kind of money I need to go right?? 

So I woke up this morning, put SPF 85 on (and still got super burned), and left Avery in the good hands of Rustin's parents.

Casey (Rustin's brother) came to town and we met up with Andrea, Dena and Jana. They had all run the 5K in the morning. That is one tradition I have never done and didn't plan to start this year.

The ladies-

Rustin looking "cool" -

Casey's editing handiwork-

We had fun hanging out at the parade and that's when I should have gone home. I realized something today - I'm old. I don't want to deal with 100,000 drunk people wearing green. Example - we got stopped and were asked which superhero was our favorite - Peter Pan or Robin Hood. (What??) The guy wouldn't let us pass until we answered and gave him a high five. 

Anyway back to the part where I should have gone home and didn't. Instead of going to eat somewhere nearby, we decided to venture close to Lower Greenville where the block party was. If you're not familiar with the block party, think Bourbon Street in New Orleans at Mardi Gras. We walked for miles and miles (or it seemed like it). Then waited in line for years at Snuffer's. We got re-energized with food but then... had to walk back. I haven't been that exhausted since I had Avery.

I learned that I just don't enjoy crowded craziness anymore. I guess I wanted to still enjoy it so I could consider myself young. But let's face it. I'm old and I'm ok with it.

Until next year, St. Patty's Day... I will probably celebrate you from my living room.