The Year Of Golden Birthdays

You know, I love birthdays. Birthdays are amazing! And this year just so happens to be the year of Golden Birthdays. My wonderful man Stephen turned 23 on February 23rd, I turn 18 on April 18th, and Stephen's brother turns 20 on the 20th of May. Do you think maybe all the stars are aligning this year?

Well, anyways, Stephen's birthday was just two days ago, and gosh, it was a blast!! I love planning things to do for him, and surprising him, and spending an entire day celebrating him!!

One half of his present was something I couldn't wrap, so I made up a game for him to play in order to earn clues about the present. In order to earn his clues.....

.....he had to complete five lists of 23 things, such as 23 yummy foods, or 23 blessings, or 23 things he wants to do someday.

What did all these clues lead to? Swing dancing! This part of his present was an hour long swing dance lesson with a lady from the group Groove Juice Swing. Her name was Jesse and she was such a good teacher!!! It was so much fun, and we learned a lot!

But, rewinding a bit. Before we went off to our lesson he had to open up the other half of his present...

"Huh? What are these???"

 They were tights....but not for him, of course. In January, he requested that I make myself a new dress for his birthday; so I did, but I also needed sweater tights to keep warm. Gosh...I have the sweetest guy in the world to want me to make MYSELF a dress for HIS birthday present

 Here's the dress:

On a side note, this dress is  a knock-off of Modcloth's Salty And Pepper Dress, and it only cost me $30 to make it, instead of the $70 to buy it!

Moving on, after this we went to the swing dance lesson. Then, we went to Sticky Lips BBQ for lunch. Good stuff!!! We had to park a little ways away from the restaurant, and this is the awesome fashion statement I was making, walking down the street - herringbone rainboots, gingham dress, big brown winter coat, and a plaid scarf! =P

 After eating we headed over to Manhattan Square Park for some ice skating. However, it was rather challenging; because it was so warm, it was kind of like skating on a slushy. But, it was fun! 

After skating we came home for dinner, and strawberry rhubarb pie (his favorite) for dessert.

 My brother also came for dinner, and afterwards, we introduced Stephen to a favorite childhood game of ours called Crossbows and Catapults. Basically, you're trying to destroy other people's castles to capture their king while defending your own.

After the game, we finished our already busy day by going to contra and dancing for three hours. Yes, we are nuts. Every joint and muscle in my body was despising me for it the next day, but it was so worth it!

It certainly was a perfect day, and another amazing birthday in the life of Stephen Schmidt!