Just another manic Monday...

My Daddy was kind enough to remind me this morning that it is my "Birthday Week!" Yippee! On Friday I will be the big 2.4. which I am aware is still very young - Love it! I have always enjoyed birthdays very much. My parents have always done a great job of making them special and making them enjoyable. So, in honor of my upcoming birthday, here is a list of some of my favorite memories:

• My numerous amount of birthdays at McDonalds. I loved them. Loved.
• For my 12th birthday we had a pool party at my house complete with a moon bounce, volleyball, crockett and yummy food. And bonus, a porta potty so kids wouldn't track anything into the house. haha, got to love my Mom! ;)
• The year we had a Luau/pool party at Memaw's house. I believe I was turning 9. Mom, Memaw and myself all had hula skirts and Mom and Memaw taught all us girls a hula dance. It was super, super fun, and I love the pictures from this party.
• For my 13th birthday my friend Sarah and I had a joint dance at the Lion's Club in Longview. It was beach themed, my brother Deejayed and it was awesome! So, so fun!
• For my 21st birthday some girl friends on mine came to Longview with me and then all of us, with my parents went over to Shreveport to go to the boats! It was my first time gambling (obviously) and it was so much fun! I could not have asked for a better 21st birthday.
• My 22nd birthday was nothing too big - I had just graduated from A&M and Bret and I were going to Colorado for a week get away. It was beautiful. What made it special though was I got my first experience at "The Cake." This is a cake Bret's mom makes that is super yummy and a huge deal in the Mathis family. Bret and I were not engaged yet at this point so I felt so privileged that I was getting "The Cake" like I was already a part of the family.
• Last year for my 23rd we had a repeat of 21. This time though I had my fantastic husband with me and his parents! It was so great seeing our two families loosen up, play some slots and then eat some yummy Mexican food together. I am very blessed to have wonderful parents 1 and 2. I love them!
• Now for this year I will be heading to VEGAS and I know it is going to be a blast. Hubs and I are going to have a great long weekend together and I cannot wait to experience Vegas for the first time!

Do you guys have any fantastic birthday memories? Ones that just top them all or ones that were simple and you loved them? Birthdays have always been special to me and I always try to make sure my family and friends know that THEIR birthdays are a very big deal and they should be celebrated and remembered.

How was the weekend my peeps?! Ours was good, low key, and very lovely.

Friday I went home to take a quick cat nap while Bret headed to the gym (my buff hubs!) and then we headed to Rockwells to have margaritas and beers with some friends. This was followed by Northgate where I swear I felt old because it was all I could do to not fall asleep. Geez. You know you're "old" when you can't hang like you did in college. Oh well! I quickly woke up after the bars closed and 4 of us decided Mexican food would be the best thing ever! I heart Mexican food. Let it be known. At all times of the day. All. So, we all trucked on down to the hood of Bryan, TX where I was scared for my life and praised the Lord we had David with us who speaks Spanish. We pull up to the shack they call a restaurant (not so sure about that) where I noticed the gun shot holes in the windows, shrugged and went inside. Let me tell you what, I had a Torta for the first time in my life and I thought I had died and gone to heaven! If you have never had one. Get one. Right now. Go. If you are unaware of what this is, it's a Mexican Sandwich. Mine came with fajita chicken, mayo (I think...) lettuce, avocado and was served warm. To. Die. For. Bret got tacos with chicken and cheese and even ordered some to go for breakfast! Lovely!

Saturday was pretty chill. I got up and kicked my butt at the gym - I love when I do this then headed off to Target to buy a new bathing suit. I left the hubs at home sleeping considering I was in the gym by 8:00am. So that was what? 4 hours of sleep. I just cannot sleep late to save my life! Anyways, I got the cutest new bathing suit that I LOVE. It's white and looks like it has neon splatter paint all over the top and bottom. love. Got home, ate chips and hot sauce for lunch (yes, more Mexican food) then friends came over and we hung out by the pool all afternoon till about 10pm. Dinner by the pool is always fun - The guys grilled hamburgers and cheese/jalapeno sausage and we had chips, quac and pico. (yes, yes... mexican). I swear I was in bed by 10:05pm. I was so tired! I think I had mentally checked out about 7:00pm though to tell you the truth.

Sunday I was up at 8:00am, at least I got more sleep this time, and B and I met our pool friends for the most yummy breakfast at La Bodega. (say it with me people, MORE Mexican food). Let's recap shall we 1. After bar snack 2. Lunch 3. Dinner 4. Breakfast. Yup, that about covers my weekend. YEAH! Back to my yummy breakfast - Oh my goodness. Corn tortillas enchiladas with egg and cheese rolled inside served with shrimp and queso on top. For sides, black beans refried and potatoes. I was in Heaven. I have officially found my new breakfast spot. Holy Moly. Afterwards Bret and I took a stroll around Barnes & Nobles where I thought I was going to pass out from excitement. They have an entire table right now of Woodstock books, newspapers, journals, everything you can imagine celebrating it's 40th anniversary. I am a Woodstock/60's/Hippie junky so this really was my very own Heave on Earth table. Bret saw it first, called me over, then quickly got out of the way. He knows me too well :) After this high Bret and I went to an 11:30am showing of GI Joe. SO GOOD! I recommend this movie to everyone. If you liked Iron Man you would like GI Joe. It has the same feel. And hello Tatum Channing or whatever your name is. cutie. The rest of the afternoon was spent relaxing. Oh yeah, I went shopping at NY & Company while Bret napped. Got to love the sleep/shop combo we have going on.

Super fun weekend and now back to the normal grind! Have a great start to your week everyone!