Happy Birthday, Chris!
This past Sunday was Chris’s 29th birthday.
Have I ever told you about how I never remember the date of Chris’s birthday? I don’t know why I have such a problem with it, but we’ve been together for 13 years, and I bet I’ve gotten the date wrong at LEAST five times. I always think it’s July 7. I could try to explain my logic behind that mistake (which is that I remember his birthday is a memorable number – 7/8 – but I can’t ever remember if it’s memorable because it’s chronological or because it’s 7/7… does that makes sense to anyone other than me????), but just know that his birthday is always questionable around our house. Will I remember or won’t I?
This year, I was 99% positive it was on Sunday, but just to be sure I sent Chris the following text message:
Me: “Your birthday’s on Sunday, right?”
Chris: “You’re cute.”
Me: “I know it. But seriously. It’s Sunday, right? Or is it Saturday? It’s Sunday. I’m sure it’s Sunday. Right?”
Chris: “You’re funny.”
Me: “So it’s Sunday?”
This went on for a while and I couldn’t tell if he was being cute or if he was purposefully not telling me. I think he secretly likes when I mess up his birthday because he gets to watch me sweat. Finally, I checked our family calendar and confirmed that it was, in fact, on Sunday.
We celebrated on Saturday night, anyway, just because it was easier for us to get out with the kids that night. Since it was his birthday dinner, we got all dolled up. Everyone looked great and we were all hungry and in great moods.
We went to “The Kitchen,” a casual dining restaurant at the Hard Rock Hotel in Universal Studios. They have great food, a great atmosphere, and an awesome kid’s buffet that’s free for kids under 10 years old! If you’re visiting Universal Studios anytime, you should make a pit stop here.
We also like it because they have characters that walk around throughout your meal on certain nights. Gracie wasn’t so sure about Bart and Homer, but Bean thought they were awesome! (He doesn’t actually KNOW who they are, but he likes big character guys anyway. I’ve heard they also have Shrek that comes on some nights, so we’ll have to go back for him one night. He’s one of Bean’s favorites!)
As fun as “The Kitchen” is, nothing can stand up against two kids who are over tired. And that’s exactly what happened that night. We had played all day really good in the pool, so by the time we got to dinner, both kids were over tired, cranky, fidgety, and whiny. It was pretty bad. Actually, I can’t remember a meal that stressful. They have this awesome kids area with toys and movies playing for kids to hang out in while they wait for their food or after they’re done eating. Both our kids cried (Gracie screamed bloody murder) when we tried to make them leave that room to eat. It was awful. And I couldn’t decide if I should just let them stay so we didn’t make a scene, or if I should drag them back to our table so they knew that screaming wouldn’t get them anything. It was a disaster.
I ended up standing in the playroom doorway while Chris ate his entire birthday dinner all by himself. The only thing that saved us was this awesome dessert they sent out to him. It was the best bread pudding I’ve ever eaten. Chris and I sat at the table with two screaming children and completely blocked everything out except that dessert. It was pretty powerful.
So, dinner was a failure. And it was humbling, too. Nothing quite like kids to remind you that it doesn’t matter how special the day is or how good you all look, when it’s time to go home, it’s time to go home.
Message received, demon children. Message received.
13 Comments
Nate's Mom @ Nate is Great
Happy birthday, Chris!!! We have this reminder all too often with meals; I think one of the true badges of being a parent is having the waiter box up your meal before it’s been served. Glad the bread pudding transported Chris to a less chaotic place and hopefully the two of you can escape on a date night soon!
Rebecca @ The Reluctant Housewife
hahahahahaha! “Message received, demon children. Message received”…. I bet so many moms wish they had the guts to say that! =) So funny!
Christy
I think you handled it well. When I become a parent, I really don’t know how I will deal with those situations. I know how annoying it is to other tables so I probably would try and get a babysitter..and if not, probably order take-out. Haha..looking forward to it (actually I am!).
Kat
Happy Birthday Chris! I’ll be joining you in the 29 year old circle in a couple of weeks!
Tiffany
Happy Birthday, Chris!!!
Laura @ Casa del Hansen
Happy Happy Birthday Chris! You certainly were born in a popular week! If it helps you any, Katie, we have four people with bdays on either the 6th or the 7th (with a few wedding anniversaries thrown in to make sure my calendar’s really nice and crowded), and I ALWAYS get them all mixed up (I’m lucky in that my husband’s bday is a few days earlier – on the 3rd). I like your logic, and heck – it sounds like letting Chris celebrate both days is a good idea, anyway!
Carlene
Haha, I get it. My best friend of 10 years birthday is August 19. My husband who I’ve known for three years birthday is August 9. They get mad when I mix them up, but come on!
Mindee@ourfrontdoor
At the end of the day you have to decide: Which is cheaper? A babysitter or a therapist?
Courtney
We’ll be heading to Disney in November; it will be my son’s first time! Thanks for the tip on The Kitchen….I added it to my notes to try to fit in if we can. Any other tips or suggestions? Send them my way! Oh, and Happy Belated Birthday, Chris!
Jen @ Ginger Guide
Well happy birthday anyway Chris! Birthdays are Mike and Jen time in our house. I know that’ll change when Sully’s older but it’s working good right now. We do have a birthday plate, however, so there’s a date night dinner and a homemade family dinner.
Jenna@CallHerHappy
hahaha Happy birthday, Chris! The only thing you can do when kids ruin special occasions is smile and laugh and remember they aren’t doing it on purpose. At least that’s what I tell myself…
Heather@KeepCalmAndLoveOn
That dessert does look pretty epic! 🙂
Sarah H.
I’m a long time reader who has commented only a couple of times even though I completely loooooove your blog (sorry I don’t have a blog to share with you!). I just want to say that you look amazing in that dress!