It was a good birthday! (Pics from today are here.)

Last night, Clint helped the kids make cards for me. They were so excited that they wanted to know if I could get up at 5 am to open them; I told them “sorry, but no,” and said I’d open them when I woke up. That turned out to be around 8am, and they were so excited they couldn’t stand it: Clint had had them make “gift certificates” for new makeup — which I’ve been meaning to buy for five months or more now. They drew lots and lots of pictures on the cards and on the envelope — it was really sweet!

Clint is getting me a membership to Curves — I’ve been talking about doing that since before Christmas, and I’m really excited about starting! I can’t wait until I fit in my normal jeans again! (It won’t take long: my metabolism is awesome when I’m active — and it doesn’t take all that much activity for it to kick in, which makes it all the sadder that I’m as heavy as I am right now.) Oooh — and sundresses! If I lose quickly enough, I’ll be able to wear some of my sundresses this summer!! :D

We went to iHop for breakfast, then came home for a short while before heading out to Del and Colleen’s. Dave didn’t get here before we left, so we took Angelina and Alexander with us, and he picked them up from there. On the way out I called one of the stables that we passed, to find out about riding lessons; I’m going to call again tomorrow or Monday, and go check the place out — just from talking to the guy, it already sounds MUCH better than the last place!

We left Del and Colleen’s and got to Cinemark Legacy just in time to get popcorn and drinks, use the restroom, and get seated, all before the previews started. We saw The Bank Job, then, after a quick phone call to check on Christina, went to CVS so I could look at makeup. (That — of course — took much longer than anticipated.) While at CVS, I decided to get some toothpaste for Angelina. I called her to see what kind, and she asked what I was doing; when I told her I was shopping for makeup, she said, “Are you using your gift certificates?!” (So sweet!) : )

Went home so I could try out all of my new makeup, and my new microdermabrasion kit (my face is sooo much smoother now!). I love the lipstick — it stayed on until I washed it off before bed, even through kisses and corn-on-the-cob! — I love the blush, and I already know which of the two mascaras I’ll be keeping (since one of them made my eye itch), but I’m still trying to decide if I like the eyeshadow. . . . (Update — next day: I’m pretty sure I don’t like the eyeshadow. I tried the second blush today, with no eye shadow and no lipstick; I like today’s look better, though I think it would still be okay with the lipstick.)

Went back to Del and Colleen’s to eat dinner, open presents, and pick up a baby. I was extremely pleased that Christina not only didn’t cry when she saw me, but smiled! She let me hold her for all of two seconds, then twisted and dove back to the ground, where she’d been playing happily when we pulled up. I’m VERY ready for more visits like that!

Dinner was yummy shredded beef barbecue, baked beans, corn-on-the-cob, and deviled eggs. Christina ate a bit of everything, then finally needed to nurse. (I’d needed her to nurse quite some time sooner, but she had NO interest in doing so — there was playing and exploring to be done!) Presents were a very nice pewter picture frame for April’s Child — that’s me! — and a matching photo necklace, a chili pepper-shaped salsa dish, a red silicone trivet, some pretty red kitchen towels, and some teeny-tiny little ziplock bags! I can’t wait to use them all!!

Got several happy birthday emails and phone calls, some birthday wishes in online forums, and some happy birthday notes on my Facebook Wall.

Did I mention it was a good birthday? : )

(More pics here.)