Blake had a birthday (and other notable happenings)

Saturday was my love's birthday. He is very fond of birthday, particularly his own. Thus, most of the happenings of the last few days have revolved around said birthday:
- I spent much of Friday making a gazillion maple bacon cupcakes for young marrieds that night, per Blake's request. They turned out great, of course, and I even tried a new frosting recipe, which had favorable results. Blake was permitted to open anything that may arrive for him in the mail that day, since I refused to let him have his presents from Rory or me until his actual birthday. Much to his delight, a package came from my parents (more on that later).
- I got up a bit early Saturday to make Blake a special birthday breakfast- creamed eggs on toast and homemade iced frappuccions. Then, it was off to the MOSP Mom's Walk! Blake was a good sport and gamely agreed to spend his birthday morning/afternoon at the MOPS fundraiser and BBQ. Thankfully, some of his guy friends came with their wives, so he was able to enjoy manly company. We set Rory on her stomach on the lovely grass, hoping she's be inspired to crawl like her friend Audrey, but she was not a fan of the grass at all- she held her arms and legs out and chin up like she was skydiving, and we finally took pity on her and sat her up (we are expecting crawling any day though!). Oh, and I won a door prize, which never happens. It was a good morning.
- We worked in the yard and house the rest of the afternoon. Not much else to say there.
- 16 of us met for dinner at Buster's: Blake's parents and some of our good friends. We had a really great time, and enjoyed my homemade pear pie (the birthday boy's favorite).
- On Sunday my sister in law came up from Phoenix, we did more work on the house, and ordered takeout from La Fondas for Blake's final birthday dinner. La Fondas is gross. Blake and his dad love it.

Regarding Blake's gifts:
Gifts are my love language. I spend much time searching for the perfect present, and buying/making for Blake is one of my toughest tasks. He has a handy Amazon wishlist, and I know that if I get him something from there, he will be thrilled. The problem is, I long to find him a gift on my own, to come up with something that will surprise and delight him, and make him say, "Wow, I didn't even know I needed/wanted that, but I do! It's perfect!" This really has yet to happen, for various reasons. I know logically that since it's his birthday, it should not matter how I feel about it as long as he gets something he wants. Thus the wishlist. But this year I had TWO strokes of genius, one of which I graciously passed on to my mom.

It dawned on me that Blake did not have an outdoorsy watch, one to use in ruggedy situations. I determined that such a watch would be a welcome gift, and proceeded to find the perfect one online. I sent the link to my parents, and they got it for his birthday. I just knew that Blake wouldn't want a silly watch that came with loads of gadgets to clutter it up. I knew he would want a watch that told time and would light up for nighttime viewing, and that was it. Blake, I was sure, had other, superior methods of telling the temperature, elevation, directions, etc. and would scorn a watch with those features, especially since such watches were chunky black rubber and not at all stylish. I found on Amazon the perfect thing: a nice, classy, analog face with a brown leather band, water resistant, rugged and shock resistant, with a back light so one can tell the time at night. It was perfect, and he would love it. My mother informed me my father would purchase it that day. Imagine my shock, then, when my husband joyfully informed me he had updated his Amazon wishlist. Amongst the books and camping gear, he had added a watch. A chunky, black rubber watch with an altimeter, thermometer, barometer, and even  world clock. "You don't want that!" I wailed! Blake was alarmed. I told him of my smug assumption that he would want a watch that was only a watch, that I was sure he would be only amused by a gadget-watch. Blake blinked at me. "Guys like gadgets." "I don't know you!" I cried. "After three years of marriage, you're a stranger to me!" I mournfully showed him the chosen watch, and Blake assured me that he loved it and would wear it gratefully. We told some friends of our misunderstanding that night. A guy seemed confused- "why wouldn't Blake want gadgets on his watch?" Good grief- and they say women are the confusing ones. As soon as I think I've got my man pegged, he reveals another side of himself. And I guess all the cliches about men and gadgets are true.

Oh, my other gift inspiration was a pair of Kevlar gloves. Blake had never mentioned wanting a pair before, but I was confidant he would love them. And I was right. Minutes after their purchase, he guessed what I bought. And he was thrilled.