Editors Note: A HUGE thank you to Eurolux Salon and Day Spa, in Brookfield CT. (317, Federal Road, (203) 740-1717) and Lauren the owner, Dave, the receptionist, Luda, who worked her magic on me, and Amy, who worked her magic on Number 4.
So…Number 4’s birthday.
It went like this…
We started the birthday off the way any 7-year-old should. We broke out the fancy glasses, and had chocolate chip pancakes.
Before I left to get the kids to school, I got a facebook message from MIss P. It said, “I need to see you before you pick up Number 4.”
She had read the Dear Number 4 post.
When I got home from dropping the kids off at school, she was at my house waiting for me. She came with a coupon and gift card for Dunkin Donuts. You know, so Number 4 and I could have a drink while we got our pedicures.
Miss P and I stood in the driveway and I started bawling.
It’s amazing how a little gesture like that can seem so huge.
And restore your faith in humanity.
I was going to go to Dunkin Donuts, but I felt like Ihad just received a free dinner at Nobu.
So I had a good cry,
collected myself,
went to a meeting,
picked Number 6 up from preschool,
and then went to get Number 4.
She had no idea I was even coming.
When I told her where we were going, this was her reaction:
We stopped at Dunkin Donuts. I got her a chocolate donut. And the biggest fucking drink they had. Because I could. Because she deserved it.
We headed to Eurolux Salon and Day Spa.
We put on some lip gloss and went in.
From the get go, Dave, Amy and Luda treated us like royalty.
We had to pick out our polish color. Number 4 had never seen so many nail polishes in one place.
She had a bit of a polishgasm.
And some trouble making up her mind.
She picked her color.
Or colors.
Why choose one color when you can choose five?
Dave, one of my new favorite people, gave us some chocolate. And he gave Number 4 a little present.
Hair accessories. And more lip gloss!!!
I thought we were just getting a pedicure.
I was wrong.
They gave us manicures too.
Don’t they look pretty?
But they still weren’t done.
They were going to do her hair.
I always cut Number 4’s hair, so she had never had her hair cut or styled, or even sat in a “fancy chair”.
She was in love with herself.
Really in love with herself.
We came home… there were a couple presents from my parents.
She opened up a new helmet and some bike accessories. We told her they were for her old bike.
She pretended to be happy, but she was a little disappointed.
Until we brought the bike in from the back deck.
She was happy. And grateful.
Then we had pizza. And then the world’s smallest ice cream cake.
That mothereffer costs $19.99.
Nineteen effing ninety-nine.
What the hell?
That’s the last ice cream cake I ever buy. (Keep your eye out for the next money saving post: How to make an ice cream cake that doesn’t cost a million f*cking dollars).
It was a great day.
A perfect day.
A Number 4-worthy day.
No, we didn’t have a big party with friends, but who needs one of those in this house?
It’s always a party in this house.
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Ok, so I have been reading your blog for about a month now, everyday I come to work in the morning, and before I do any work I come to your blog to laugh or sometimes cry. You are an AMAZING mother with a banging body. So glad Number 4 had an awesome birthday, both of you guys totally deserved it! Thanks for giving me something to look forward to every day besides this pile of work. Hugs & Kisses from Dallas!
p.s. I love that you have no filter!!! Keep up the good work.
Ha! Thank you so much Jae.
Dallas, huh? How did you come across the blog?
Just seeing this, sorry! I found you on top mommy blogs! You were number one when I found you & I believe you still are.
Great job Susie! It looked like an awesome day! #4 will always remember it.
What a fantastic day! If I lived in the area I would totally be giving that salon my business. What a wonderful thing they did for #4.
🙂
What an awesome day! I love the polish colors #4 chose. Nothing like a salon day(and donut!) to make you feel like a million bucks!
You’re hysterical!
Her smile says it all! What a perfect day.
As for a cheap-ish ice cream cake. In a pan, layer 1 unwrapped ice cream sandwiches, layer 2 cool whip. Layer 3 sprinkles, chocolate sauce, caramel sauce or whatever. Layer 4 more ice cream sandwiches. Put back in freezers to turn rock hard. To serve, either take it out of the pan and frost with more coolwhip or just add coolwhip to the top. (Maybe a layer or plastic wrap lining the pan would help get the frozen mass out a little easier.)
Not sure if it will be cheaper, but it is easy and you can make it any size you want.
yay…..glad she had an awesome day….and kudos to the salon for treating you guys….
Susie,
My grandmother used to make ice cream cakes for my two uncles’ birthdays. I’ve done it myself and it’s cheap and rather easy. Bake a boxed or from scratch (your choice) angel food cake, and let it cool. Using a serrated knife, cut the top inch or so off of the cooled angel food cake. Dig out the spongy center and set aside to munch on later. Fill the space you’ve just dug out with softened ice cream. Put the cake top back on. Freeze. For the icing, mix cocoa and whipping cream and a little sugar (not much) together until the result is nice and thick, but spreadable. Frost the cake and freeze again. You can use whatever ice cream you want, and even separate two layers of ice cream with crushed oreos if you want.
I just lover reading your blog. Too funny and so honest. As for your ice cream cake. I can not believe the prices of them either. If you look under kraftrecipes.com they have some wonderful ice cream cakes. My kids favorite is the one with the ice cream sandwiches.
You’re like the 4 millionth person to mention the ice cream sandwich one… must be a sign 🙂
Been reading your posts/blog for a few weeks now as well. I get a kick out of you and your humor. Glad your kids have an awesome mom !
Hugs, from Northern Nevada
Well thank you. And wow! Northern Nevada?
How the heck did you come by the blog? I always wonder when it’s someone from really far away 😉
HOLA Susie!..i’m from Venezuela..since i read your blog you have make me cry , smile and laugh a lot..i just want to tell you that you are a wonderful mother and wife!!
Saludos desde Venezuela 🙂
I’m glad to hear everybody had fun. I will definitely be using the “fancy glasses” on birthdays, what a nice touch. The ice cream sandwich cake is good, especially the one where you mix cool whip and some form of chocolate (I forget what though) to make the middle fudgy layer.
PS- I live on northern Vancouver Island (BC Canada) and found this blog when looking for mom-blogs to follow. I’ve recommended you to friends too!
Hi. I’m following you from Italy, but reading this post it was just like I was there with you.
Great job Susiej!!
Lucia
What a wonderful day!
You left me in tears, as usual. Love your blog. You are always a bright spot during those quasi-hysterical days!