Today marks Dan’s 32nd birthday. In his family, birthdays were never really a big deal–but not in mine. Birthdays were big events, and I haven’t let that little tradition fade in my family either.
I remember when I was little birthdays meant getting to ride in the front seat of the VW bus all day, choosing your dinner fare and activities for the day (my standby was always the aquarium with Ben and Jerry’s afterwards), being excused from the dinner dishes, and staying up as late as you wanted.
But since riding in the front seat is a given, work is required, and staying up late would be far from a gift, we’ll shower Dan with a few carefully crafted and purchased presents, a good meal, and party hats. 
This afternoon the girls and I worked on another sets of these tees for Dan. This will be his second set, the first was for last year’s father’s day. He has worn them so much they are starting to fade and when I washed one of them the other day, I couldn’t believe how teeny-tiny their handprints had been. Mary was an infant and her handprint was really no more than a smear. I remember there being more paint on her onesie and chin than on the tshirt. So this year a new set was definitely due.
Just a few weeks ago, I asked Emma what her favorite thing was about living in Wisconsin. She told me, "painting tshirts for Daddy." (Huh?!) I figured we could paint tshirts in Maryland, too. Funny what kids remember.
So, tonight we’ll eat grilled steak and the official Maryland state crustacean, then nibble on a few pink-frosted cupcakes with sprinkles (whose birthday is this!!? Funny how the birthday becomes as much about the kids having fun as it does celebrating Dan’s birth. ) And we’ll open one or two other gifts.
Happy Birthday, babe. xo.
(and hope you’re not reading this from work…)
