Happy Birthday Mark!

After 4 months of waiting, Mark and I are finally the same age again. Ironically, when I was first "investigating him" back in the day, I figured he was a year older than me. He just looked so grown up and mature...or maybe it was because it's hard to figure out that kind of thing at 6am.

I think Mark's birthday is my favorite time of the year. I get to spoil him without worrying about being "outdone" on gifts (like Christmas). I had a hard time shopping for him because there were a lot of things I knew he would like. New clothes, a new razor, a new blender, or the bedspread seen below. But when it came time to buy, I couldn't bring myself to buy him something that I wanted just as bad. So I bought him a new electric razor, some cool legos, and the "Love You Forever" book. (I've started a tradition that each year for his birthday I buy him a book from his childhood. This year, it worked well because I also LOVE the book as well.)

Even though I had happily purchased Mark his presents, my heart still yearned for a beautiful bedspread that was on sale at Kohls. After telling him we could pay for it using the paycheck I would get that week, he agreed and off we went. The set matches perfectly with the sheets we currently have. And the bedskirt hides the fact that all we have is a bed frame for the time being. Although the comforter has spent every night on the floor due to the heat, it will be lovely in the winter.
Mark's birthday was unfortunately the first day of check-ins for fall semester. So while I made him dinner and he got to unwrap his presents, we waited until Saturday to do cake and ice cream with some family and friends. Thanks to all who came despite our small living space!
Almost 4 months ago, I discovered this "Lego Cake" from Betty Crocker. Knowing how much Mark loves legos, I decided it would be a fun project. How could you go wrong with a 9x13 cake cut into shapes, topped and frosted with marshmallows? I managed to keep it a secret up until the night before when I finally broke and gave him an obvious hint.

I think my only regret was that I used normal food coloring rather than gel. Reviews said gel coloring helps the legos be more vibrant. As you can see, I couldn't quite get the blue, and the red looked a little more pastel than I would have preferred.
And one day...one day I will be able to make a cake that is perfectly smooth across the top. I suppose the sooner I take that cake decorating class, the sooner I could learn the tricks. I did break out the kit my mother-in-law gave me and used the frosting knife. It may have been purely psychological but I felt more confident using it.

School is now in full swing and Mark has his first class tonight. We are hopeful that this will be a 3 year adventure...yet using adventure to describe school somehow gives me the feeling it may be more....who knows! Maybe he'll fall in love with school and want to get a masters. (Heaven help us!)