Birthday Surprises

A few weeks ago, TARA asked me what I wanted for my birthday. I told her that I needed some new brown dress shoes and that gummy bears were always yummy. By the time my birthday came (March 1st), I had forgotten all about this. Imagine my surprise when I get ... brown dress shoes, and two more pairs of casual shoes. TARA tells me that all 3 are leather and that I can't get water on them. I thought shoes were for making huge splashes in puddles?



TARA also gave me two books that I haven't read: "Drawing on the Powers of Heaven" and "Canterbury Tales". That was great because I have only read one book so far this year, and am falling behind my goal of 1 book per month. TARA also made me yummy food all day long that was a real present for everyone except poor Reagan, who was sick and had to miss the dinner and dessert.



The biggest surprise, I think, came from all of the packages of gummy bears I kept finding throughout the day. I'd open my sock drawer and find one. I pulled back the shower curtain and find another. I tried to lay down and one was hiding under my pillow! TARA even mailed one to me at work so I could find one there. Each one had sweet notes from TARA, the kids, and even our friends the Sainsburys. I'll let you guess who wrote each note.

• "I'm beary happy you my dad"

• "My life would be black and lonely without you. Thanks for all the real sweetness" (hidden in a room I had neglected to clean)

• "I chewey you to be my dad"

• "Mark, Happy happy bday. Have a wonderful day. PS. sorry about the bow" (there was a small bow attached to the note)

• "I'm Foresty happy you're my dad" (Black Forest brand Gummy Bears)

• "Don't be gummy, it's your birthday! I'm so beary happy it's a birthday! I sugar bear love you!"

• "You are the love of my life and I am thankful for the sweetness you share with me."

• "If I had a bear I would name him ... Goodie!"

In case you weren't counting, that is 8 bags of gummy bears. I totally loved it! What can I say? I'm a sucker for sweet, kind words when they're taped to a bag of gummy bears.