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Today is the 3rd anniversary of my 29th birthday. My birthday celebration started yesterday with a trip to Pier 1 Imports to buy the Hayworth mirrored jewelry armoire. It continued with a dinner date with Michael and a bottle of Pinot Noir at The Melting Pot. Today we enjoyed my birthday lunch with the boys at Red Robin, Alex's choice. I wanted to relax today. I have been hanging out in my bedroom this afternoon, reading and watching A Chorus Line.

I wish I had a picture of 29 to post, but for all my jokes about hating aging, I look so much better at 32 than I did in my late 20s. I am so much healthier! I ran 46 miles during my 8 day vacation. That is just amazing to me! Still, aging sucks. Despite running 46 miles and spending most of my days on the beach with the boys, my metabolism crawls. I gained 5 pounds last week on my mom's greasy soul food. Anyway, happy birthday to me!

Pawley's Island 2009

Childless

Well, sort of. Friday was the last day of school. The boys are going to the Jewish Community Center's day camp again this summer, but camp doesn't start until June 8. Fortunately, my brother Andrew is a wonderful uncle and willing to step in and keep the boys this week...for a small price, of course! The boys are in Greenville with my family, and we will be reunited in Pawley's Island on Friday. Ah, vacation...I will be at Pawley's with all the Rowells (minus Madeline) for 9 days. I am so excited to hang out with Matthew and his GF Leland, Jason and Jenny and their baby Christopher, Andrew, my parents, and my boys. The highlights of the week will be flat running (no hills!!!), my very loud, obnoxious and loveable bros, beer, the beach, books, and corn hole.

Ok, but back to being childless. Michael and I handed over our children Sunday afternoon. We went for a very hot 2:30pm 5-miler and later enjoyed a relaxing meal at Za's. We also got to watch an entire movie without little-boy-interruptions: Role Models. Very funny.

Monday is a rest day, so we slept as late as possible (6am), dined at California Dreaming, and went to bed early with 3 episodes of The Sopranos.

I have a running partner this week! Michael got up and ran 6 miles with me Tuesday morning. He had a golf date Tuesday afternoon, and I had a coffee date with Gwen. Michael ran a 5-miler with me this morning, and we are meeting friends out for dinner at Rosso in Forest Acres this evening. Thursday night's plans are up in the air. Michael might have card game, and we have to pack for our vacation.

Although I am giddy with excitement about our beach vacation, I don't want this week to end. Every now and then parents need a break. I adore my boys, but it has been so nice to run with my husband in the mornings. It is amazingly stress-free to only have to get myself ready for work. No carpool lines, no fighting. My house is so peaceful and clean! I have been physically, emotionally and spiritually exhausted the past few weeks and I am so grateful to Andrew and my parents for giving us this special gift. It feels like we won the lottery--if only for 5 days.