A (12th and 49th) Birthday Adventure

On Number 4’s 7th birthday we started a birthday tradition.

Instead of getting a bunch of stuff, Number 4 and I had a birthday experience.

We had very little money at the time, and I contacted a local salon and they offered to give us complimentary manicures and pedicures and Number 4 got her hair done.

I picked Number 4 up early from school and surprised her.

It was her first salon experience, and she loved it.

Then next year Number 4 requested to walk around the downtown area of a neighboring town. We drove through there a couple times a week to get to swim practice, and she loved it, and really wanted to spend some time there.

I picked her up early from school again, and we walked around and checked out shops

and bought a couple small toys

and ate some ice cream and just enjoyed some one-on-one time together.

For her eighth birthday cash was running very, very low. I busted her out of school early and took her to the Olive Garden for lunch  because I had a gift card and that is kind of lame for a lot of people but we pretty much NEVER go out to eat so it was big treat for Number 4.

Especially on a school day.

We took a slight detour on her 10th birthday because it was double digits and she wanted to do something with her friends, so I took her and a group of friends to the movies.

Last year all the stars aligned, and we had a beautiful end-of-summer day in September.

So Number 4 played hooky from school and we spent the day together at the beach.

It was the perfect day. One of the best days we’ve ever had together.

We practically had the whole place to ourselves and we talked

and ate lobster rolls

and had ice cream

and walked and enjoyed every minute of the whole day together.

It was awesome.

It will be hard to top that one.

But I’m gonna try tonight.

I have had this surprise for Number 4 planned since last December.

For nine months I’ve been holding onto this secret.

Nine months is a long time.

And the day has finally arrived.

Tonight I am taking Number 4 to see and Ed Sheeran concert.

She has no idea.

I CANNOT WAIT.

It is her first concert.

And it’s the first concert I’ve been to in a few years.

I’ve been anticipating this night for so long.

I’m not sure if it’s going to be able to top our day at the beach last year.

But I’ve got my fingers crossed that it’s going to be….

Wait for it….

PERFECT.