Some people are so modest about their birthdays...

...you know, those people who don't even bother to tell anyone, and so nobody even knows until like, the next week?

.

I'm not that kind of person.

....

I love my birthday! I promise, it really has nothing to do with presents. It's just my special day, and I want everyone to know it... just 'cause it's happy. I mean, I'm sure glad I was born.

I woke up in the morning to Andrew exclaiming: "Breakfast in bed!" On my bedside table was a glass of chocolate milk and a splendid donut with the sprinkles scrunched up on one side. (anyone familiar with Brian Reagan's comedy?) I've always though donuts were one of the most glorious food inventions ever dreamed up.

At school, as I was checking in homework first thing in the morning, the pile of math sheets were soon joined by a pile of very thoughtful birthday gifts: a candle holder, several candy bars, a stick of gum, a 50 cent piece, a shiny rock, and dozens of notes proclaiming me to be the "best teacher in the whole wide world."

At the end of the day, in the middle of a frustrating lesson on long division, one of my students waltzed into the room with a bouquet of balloons and a huge grin...followed by her mother and a pan of chocolate cupcakes. The class spontaneously burst into song. They had all known about it the entire day, and successfully kept it a secret from me. It was my first surprise party that I was genuinely surprised for.

.

After work, Andrew and I made a temple trip to do initiatories.
(I don't know if you can tell in the picture, but it was snowing...yet again.)

.

After a Broulim's grocery store run, Andrew and I worked together on my birthday meal of choice. He grilled chicken in the back yard, while I chopped, and boiled, and grated in the kitchen. The result was just about the most beautiful salad I've ever seen.


.
The secret to the yummiest of salads?
.
Chopped Apples.
.
.
I realize that the temple and a salad doesn't sound like a super, exciting birthday. I still have friends whose birthday would be spent clubbing until all hours of the morning...but as Andrew and I cozied in front of a movie before bedtime, I thought to myself that I really couldn't have planned for a more perfect #24.

.
Thanks, for all of the gifts, cards, phone calls, and text messages! =)
.