This year I turned 35. 35 is a hump year. I can no longer say I’m in my “early” thirties. I will have to start saying I’m in my “late” thirties. Birthdays are a time of reflection for me. I choose to look at my accomplishments instead of dwell on how old I feel, tired I am, wrinkly I look…it’s just more positive this way. I review my accomplishments and compare them to the personal goals I have set for myself and see how I shake out.
So at 35, I have…
- a grouchy husband (who makes me crazy, but love endlessly)…check
- two lovely and healthy girls…check
- had a great and successful corporate career…check
- started to figure out my identity as a stay at home mom and how to take care of my kids (by myself)…check
- traveled the world, seen and experienced so many amazing things…check
When I look at 35 this way, I feel like I have accomplished a lot. It’s everything I wanted to do by the time I was 35. I’ve been blessed and I’m grateful for all that I have and done in my life. I can only hope the next 35 years will be as great as the first.
I love celebrating birthdays, mine especially. For me, it’s not just a one day celebration. I plan multiple events so this one special day of the year can last as long as possible.
This year I had three birthday celebrations.
Celebration #1 – Birthday Day, April 1
It was a cool and cloudy Sunday so I decided to keep things low key and go to the Easter Egg Hunt at the Greenburgh Nature Center with the girls. As you get older, birthdays go from all-night drinking parties to nice dinners with your husband to visiting the Nature Center with the family. This is not a complaint, just a progression I wanted to share. Here is a picture of Mimi and I in front of the animals in the barn.
We had a family dinner at home and a Carvel birthday cake. Like I said, a very low-key day…we are all in our pajamas in this picture.
Celebration #2 – Le Bilboquet, April 6
Dinner with my sister, Kimbie, and brother, Matt, at Le Bilboquet in NYC. This is a restaurant that came highly recommended by my brother because I love French bistros. It’s not your typical French bistro because the best dish was Cajun Chicken,. The french fries were incredible. I drank too much but that usually happens on my birthday.
Celebration #3 – Horseback Riding, April 7
One of my favorite things to do is go horseback riding. Kimbie and my cousin, Cheryl, graciously joined me on a trail ride up north. Have you ever seen the movie City Slickers? We were the girl version.
I have this equestrian helmet that I purchased many years ago and I just love it. I think wearing it is most of the reason I love horseback riding so much.
After horseback riding, we headed home for Matt’s famous fried chicken and wine.
Wonderful 35th birthday….check