Birfday.

I turned 23 on Tuesday. It was a fantastic birthday, but it not only made me feel old, but really made me miss my kid birthdays. (Don't worry- I looked just like this. Curls and all.)

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We'd have the kids over for cake and hot dogs or hamburgers my dad grilled, then came the classic pony ride party (I got to feed one a carrot!), then Chuck-E-Cheese or Celebration Station, then the mini-golf parties (especially popular in Florida, while living in a golf course community-go figure), then the Disney World trips, about 4 (also while we lived in Florida). I got to ride in the front of the monorail, and Goofy talked to me on the phone. And no, it was not a recording...ya it was; he's really busy!

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My mom plans on living in Minnie's pad (above), or the castle. Whatever works.

After Disney, I didn't really try to top it and I honestly don't know if I could. Props to my parents. They went all out. My mom was the best at bringing the food in for the class. She made these amazing cupcakes in ice cream cones- pretty original at the time, and a huge hit with the kiddos, and me.

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They've also kept the tradition up of making me chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast and homemade noodles for dinner, even if I can't make it to their place on my birthday. But on my own, I've kept it pretty simple. For my 21st, I had a really laid back get together with my best friend and some Key West shrimp I made and Blue Moon. While this birthday was amazing-I got to spend it with my boyfriend and had a darling lunch with the family last weekend and my best friend made a special blog post that caused some waterworks, I'm realizing that the pony rides are over. The time has come for grown-up parties.

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And I'm okay with that. At least I have my chocolate-chip pancakes to count on.

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