First at 28, then at 29; passing over at 30 for something a little more serious, and now back at 31!
1. My day started at around 3:45am, which is apparently prime time for the sidewalks around my home to get a little cleaning done. No complaints, though — I appreciate being able to walk on clean sidewalks, and it just meant that I could be awake to enjoy my birthday for longer. It’s all about perspective ?
2. I had a harder time putting a positive spin on the fact that I burnt my oats for breakfast, though… and I couldn’t help but hope that it wasn’t an omen for how the next year will go ?
3. … but that still didn’t stop me from eating them.
4. So my birthday always comes at a really awkward time. It’s either on the first day that everyone has to go back to work/school, or close enough to it that no one really wants to have any fun… especially with the whole post-Christmas funk thing going on.
5. I probably shouldn’t complain, though, because (fun fact) I was actually due to be born on December 24th, which — as any holiday baby knows — kind of stinks.
6. Besides… with Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year’s, and my birthday all happening within 12 days of each other, I’ve got almost 2 weeks of celebrating and/or looking forward to celebrating something.
7. That being said, I totally forgot to celebrate Birthday Week this year. Well, I remembered about halfway through, but that kind of defeated the point…
8. Then again, I did enjoy a two-minute brownie pretty much every day that week, so I guess that counts for something?
9. AND! I got to spend some time in the mountains snowboarding with friends, which definitely counts for something…
10. But I digress. Back to the beginning of my actual birthday, where I woke up with a huge zit on my chin. Apparently my body never got the memo that I’m no longer a teenager.
11. Which is probably why I still look it…
12. And act it…
13. But I definitely did not feel it when I was dragging my sore butt out of bed in the morning. Gotta love those DOMS…
14. … which is why I spent a good chunk of the day foam rolling…
15. … and using this torture device right here…
16. … while watching this movie right here…
17. Have I mentioned that I’m 31 going on 13?
18. … which might explain why I got such a kick out of my cupcake balloon (!!!)
19. And why I went on to try and eat it…
20. Food! Let’s talk about the food. I managed to sneak in a birthday dinner with the family, where Mama Spoons made some of the most amazing mushroom pizza dough rolls of all time (paired with roasted veggies and borscht).
21. And if you would have told me even 5 years ago that I’d be eating mushrooms and beets, I would have laughed myself sick. This girl was never a fan of the veggies.
22. What I’ve always been a fan of, though, is chocolate…
23. And [homemade brownie ice cream] cake…
? ? ?
24. And flowers…
25. And thoughtful little gifts…
26. And free birthday coffee…
27. Which reminds me that I still need to head into Sephora to pick up my free birthday gift.
28. … and probably walk out with $100+ worth of beauty products. Oops ?
29. TL;DR, it was an awesome day that ended with a full belly and a full heart.
30. Yep. I’m liking 31 a whole heck of a lot so far. I have a feeling it’s going to be an awesome year.
31. But I’m not looking forward to getting any older because I have no idea how I’m going to keep thinking up more and more things for future birthdays ?
Tell me 3 random things from your day!
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You do look like a teenager! Seriously, I wouldn’t think you were over the age of 20 in any of these pics.
Outside of the burnt oats and the early wake up, I’m glad you had a nice birthday! Those mushroom rolls and that cake look like the best birthday meal EVER. (insert heart eyed emoji here)
20 sounds about right! Whenever I go to Vegas, I have at least one person tell me I’ll have more fun when I’m “legal” 😆
Happy Birthday!!! A few things: we had the same due date! I was due on Christmas Eve as well, but I knew better and was like, yeah, screw that, and came 8 days early. But my son was born on Memorial Day (in the US it’s basically a party holiday/start of summer) but that moves every year (it’s always on a Monday) so that shouldn’t be too bad. Second – for my son’s first birthday my dad got him that same balloon and he did the same exact thing once it started to deflate ahahah
Haha! That’s what I keep telling my parents, too — I knew better than to be born on Christmas Eve, which is why I didn’t want to come out.
Haha, you’re funny! No worries, I’m for sure a kid/teenager inside, and my body knows it too! ? And man, any of those birthday dinner leftovers?? Gosh, that looked so good! (Mushrooms are one of my favorite savory foods, as are roasted veggies, but seriously, I think I could die for a homemade *brownie* ice cream cake! That sounds pretty much bomb dot com!)
1. Went grocery shopping today, which is a little discombobulating, because we normally shop weekly on Tusdays.
2. Costco was selling out of this scrumptious holiday treat I wanted to caramel chocolate pretzels clusters with sea salt. So I bought some. And they were amazing. ?
3. LOVING having all my sibs back together again after 3 weeks of being apart (which I know doesn’t seem so bad, but we spend all day every day together, so that’s really long for us)! Sibling time for the win!! ❤️
I think it’s awesome that you’re so close with your siblings! I’ve always wanted to have brothers or sisters, but I got stuck being an only child 😕 Also… I love that you snuck “discombobulating” in there 😉
Oh, I hear you on that whole nobody wants to/has time to celebrate after Christmas issue despite my birthday being at the end of January. It sounds like you had a pretty good day still.
And lucky you for missing the Christmas Eve birth date! I have a friend who was born that day and was kidding the friend of mine who’s currently expecting her little one might decide to choose that day. She didn’t find it funny at all and it didn’t happen :).
For the years to come: how about adding only as many bullet points as the age you actually feel like ;)?
That wouldn’t be a bad idea at all! Although I probably would never get above 13. Maaaaaybe 15 on some days 😉
Happy birthday! Looks like a great way to celebrate. My SIL was born on Dec 26th, so unfortunately people forget about her bday all the time. I guess it’s good that you weren’t born on Christmas Eve! And it gives you something to look forward to after the holidays:)
Aww yeah that would be a tough one! I’d probably just go shopping and treat myself to the sales since it’s Boxing Day for us up here in Canada, which is basically the equivalent of Black Friday for you guys.
Happy Happy Birthday!! Sounds like a great day to me…most of it:)
I love orchids! They’re my absolute favorite flower. Sadly I’ve killed the two I’ve tried to care for. If you know how to not kill them share and I’ll happily try again:)
I’ve only ever had one before and killed it 🙁 I don’t have the best luck with plants… but I’m actually going to try with this one so fingers crossed!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SWEET PEA. I don’t even remember what I did for my birthday last year. OH WAIT – I WAS IN EDMONTON AND YOU WEREN’T!!! 🙁
Rain cheque for this year?!?!?! 😀
Sounds like a pretty solid birthday minus the start!
I’m glad you had a wonderful birthday filled with er…mushrooms. I think that’s the one veggie I can’t get down with, at least cooked that is. Raw is not so bad. That being said, I would have eaten them and loved them since Mama Spoons made them from scratch. Food made with love always tastes good.
Three things from today: I got my blog post done (hooray), I worked for a few hours (boo hiss) before heading to the hospital to get checked out: oi! all is completely fine though and I’m home now after a lovely nap and ready to get some more work done.
I’m glad to hear that everything is completely fine <3 And mushrooms used to be on my foodie hit list as well, but now it's just zucchinis and eggplants. Possibly artichoke as well...
Happy Birthday my favorite Canadian! That Cupcake Balloon hits the spot. Love it.
So happy to hear you had a fantastic birthday! The food of your Mom looks to die for and I want one of these.
So, 3 things. It’s bloody pouring down in Sydney since 2 days. At least Summer should be back this afternoon and beach life is ON.
2. I will be traveling to Vancouver in August. Thought I throw this at you for a thought:)
3. I miss you!!
VANCOUVER IN AUGUST! You better believe that I’m going to do my best to be there. Gah. I miss you. Need to see your face again <3
Happy birthday! My brother’s birthday is the 28th, which was always tough for him, right between Christmas and New Years’. People would do things like give him a Christmas/birthday present, or give him both presents at the same time, or throw him a party and feed everyone the Christmas leftovers.
Awww! It’s tough being a holiday baby for sure. Especially because you literally have to wait another year before any kind of exciting celebrations happen, instead of having Christmas now and then a birthday in 5 or 6 months.
Happy Birthday, Amanda! You so don’t look 31 — own it! 🙂
Thank you, lovely lady!
Sounds like an awesome birthday! I get to welcome 32 in about 6 months so I’m right there with ya.
Kicking ass and taking names? 😉 Glad to hear it!
Happy birthday!
Well…I just drove back from my boyfriend’s house after a day full of Star Wars movies (I’ve never seen them) and a lot of lounging around…
I have a dentist appointment later – party! ;P
NAnd I’m going to whip up some homemade granola to take advantage of this rainy day!
I’m thinking that I need to rewatch the Star Wars movies since it’s been a while since I’ve seen them, and I was probably too young to appreciate them!
Happy Birthday!??
My birthday is the day before christmas…?
Aww! That was supposed to be mine as well. But at least everything is super fun and festive with all the Christmas stuff going around? Or you could just celebrate your half birthday at the end of June 😉
Haha yes I just celebrate a lot around christmas
THAT’s why you responded to me at 3:45 AM! Oh goodness, you poor thing. I love that you are still youthful as ever (even though 31 is young and fresh anyway).
I was also born late! I feel bad because my uncle came to see me, but I decided to come out the day after he left…
Aww! Meanie 😛 I think my grandma waited until she were sure I was in the world before booking a ticket 😆 Rule breakers — both of us.
Cannot wait to see what this year has in store for you!
That makes two of us!
Can I start this by saying… you’re 31?! You look like you’re in your early 20s. And I mean that! I’m not just saying that to be nice. I cannot wait to see you thrive in your 31st year of life!
Haha! I get that a lot, actually. By this point I’ve basically given up on thinking that I’ll ever look my age — I’ll probably just end up looking like a wrinkly kid at some point 😆 Thanks, Julia!
Happy birthday! Sounds like it was a pretty wonderful one 🙂 And that cake sounds like the stuff dreams are made of. Yum!
Thanks Ellen! It was pretty darn good… but now there are leftovers to try and get rid of 😆
This sounds indeed like a great day minus the early start maybe. But giant cupcakes, Starbucks and chocolate for sure made up for this! The Minions would approve 😉
Happy to hear it. Minions are birthday necessities… which I seemed to have gotten in spades this year 😉
Happy birthday! Sounds like you had a great day 🙂
Thanks, Gretchen!
Love the cake! I’m the same way with omens and would’ve had the same reaction to the burnt breakfast – forgetting the fact that I burn at least one thing every day 🙂 My skin has also not gotten the memo that I’m well past puberty but I’ve basically given up on that! Happy 31st!
Whoa?! LIES! Your skin always looks fantastic!
ah minions. i havent seen that but i spent this past weekend watching disney movies so lump me into that 13 year old category right with you. PS—you take the absolute best selfies you look fantastic and not at all like a teenager (only if thats a good thing, if you want to look like a teenager i totally take it back) 😉 HAPPY BIRTHDAY, even though the oats were burnt its going to be a great year, you got the bad stuff out of the way already!
The bad out of the way! That’s a great way to look at it. And if burnt oats are the worst part of my year, I’ll definitely take it! Thanks, Rachael 😀
Happy belated birthday Amanda! Sounds like you had a great day 🙂
Thanks, Alexis! It was pretty darn good 😀
Looks like it was a great birthday!! Mama Spoons sure knows whats up with all the food. It all looks so fabulous!! I’m curious to see what my first birthday here in my new home will look like. I have never been with my daddy or siblings for my birthday, and I already know my little sissy wants to go all out, but we will see. My only request was that we dress up like unicorns.
See? You aren’t the only adult sized kid out there 😉
… unicorns?!?! Alright. Totally stealing that for my birthday next year. I’m pretty sure I saw some unicorn onesies out there…
What a great birthday, and starting it off with that kind of perspective I think sets the mood for the year! It’ll be a good one! The Minions movie was awesome. I also loved Inside Out. Super cute! Glad you had a good day <3
I feel like I love most of the kid movies more than I love the adult ones. Inside Out was definitely another favourite!
That cake is badass!
Fantastic birthday goodies!
Badass is actually the perfect word for it!
hahaha! Glad it was a good birthday! But if you got a giant zit, I’d like to know where it is, I see NOTHING but gorgeous skin in those photos, girl! 🙂
God bless the power of makeup is all I’m saying! 😆
My birthday (Dec. 13) always fell during the end of semester/finals week when I was in school. Now it just falls in that time when everyone is preparing for Christmas and isn’t thinking about anything but Christmas! That’s ok, its a good thing I love Christmas, I just tell myself everyone decorated for my birthday! 🙂
Looks like it was a fun day filled with lots of family and love! That’s the best kind of birthdays! And since I’ve been 31 for 3 weeks longer than you and have lots of wisdom on the subject (ha!) the creakiness when you get out of bed doesn’t improve. Enjoy that foam roller! 😉
Nooooo! You mean to tell me that I’m going to have to start shopping around for those posturepedic mattresses soon?!?! 😛
Happy late birthday!
First, that brownie cake deserves a recipe post of its own!! It looks amazing!!
Second, I love this post. It sounds like you had a wonderful, family filled day. Just like how I want to spend my special days.
Third, I kind of like burnt oats.
Haha! I actually don’t mind them too much either, aside from the taste. But that’s nothing a little bit of almond butter and chocolate can’t fix 😉
Happy Birthday! Having an early birthday means you’re one of the the first ones to get the free Sephora birthday gift!
True story! I loved the Nars one from last year, so I hope this year’s is a good one as well.
Riley’s birthday is on Christmas day, so that makes celebrating super lame for him. I feel so bad for him, so I understand your dilemma about the timing. I always forget to pick up my free Sephora gift, so thanks for the reminder. Let’s just hope I remember next month when it’s my turn to turn 31!
Has he ever thought about celebrating his half birthday instead? I know some people with holiday birthdays that do that!
Sounds like you had a pretty great day, despite waking up so early. Can’t wait to see the 50 things you come up with when you’re 50 😀 No but really I’d have a hard time remembering everything I did!
Ha! I wonder if I’ll still be blogging at 50. And tell me about it! I literally had to take notes throughout the day 😉
I loved reading about your day. I think it is awesome to document it that way, to look back on years later!
That’s definitely one of my favourite parts about having a blog! It’s crazy to think that this is the 4th birthday I’m celebrating while having Spoons!
Happy Birthday Amanda!! That brownie ice cream cake looks amazing!! I’m always about anything chocolate especially when my birthday comes around. Enjoy your day!
Thanks Sky! Chocolate is always a good idea, and on birthdays? It’s basically a necessity.
Happy Birthday!!!!!!!
I was supposed to be born on Dec 24th too 🙂
High five for both of us dodging that bullet! 😉
Happy Birthday!! And that homemade ice cream looks delicious!
Thanks Alex! And ohhhh it was definitely good 😀
Free birthday coffee is legit! 🙂 usually the only time I get a regular latte haha
Haha! I was boring and got a regular Americano, but I’ve known people who’ve gone way overboard and made drinks full of extra shots of espresso and syrups just because it was free. And then it basically ended up being undrinkable…
HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY, DEAR AMANDA!!!!!!!!
Thank you, lovely lady! Hope you’re doing well!
It sounds like a good day after it got started. The last couple of days were the first colder ones we’ve had in a while, so it’s a little easier for me to think about snow. It’s been so warm here.
Sorry you burnt your oats, for some reason when my morning routine gets thrown out of sync my whole day feels weird.
Mine tends to go that way as well. That’s probably a big part of why I ate them anyways instead of making a new batch — the waiting would have thrown me way off 😆