Can I keep my kids little and cute forever?

I love my twins at 8 years old. They are so funny and they still adore me and they are big enough to go out and have fun with and not have to drag along half the house with us.(I think I did a happy dance the day I realized we didn't need a diaper bag anymore!)

So today is my birthday. In keeping with family tradition, PS came down and blasted the Beatles birthday song while everybody hopped in my bed. SS gave me a porcucone (a pine cone with play-dough features to make it look like a porcupine.) TT gave me a box with drawings and precious plastic jewels. PS gave me two bottles of nail polish. Then SS sang me a birthday song and TT brought me a birthday breakfast menu, to be paid for with kisses. Finally, TT brushed my hair and put it into a ponytail.

The perfect birthday!

For DH's part, he took me to the movies on Friday--to a theater that sells food and booze. We've never been before, but I've decided that all theaters should serve mudslides and burgers. The most impressive part is that he arranged for it all by himself, including child care, without consulting me--something I've been griping about for years. He's also getting me a mini-subscription to out local musical theater company. This is big, since he hates musicals. But I will finally get to see Phantom and Wicked and we have 4 guaranteed date nights over the next several months. Woot!

And for myself, I have undergone my mid-winter de-trolling. I had my eyebrows threaded earlier in the week (which hurts like an SOB, but they look so freakin' awesome) and asked for a permanent appointment every two weeks. I colored my hair (have to for the gray, but I try to stick as close to my natural color as possible). But apparently I did not actually read the color on the box and am now "hot cinnamon red." But it's ok--I can be a sassy redhead for a while.

And I went to the upscale spa for a mani-pedi yesterday. The pedi cost more than twice what it would at the local walk-in place, but it was about 1,000 times more relaxing. I really don't like pedicures, but this one was actually pleasant and worth every cent.

I also tried the new gel-lacquer on my fingernails. It is for natural nails and is supposed to make your manicure last 2-3 weeks. I have great nails and haven't worn artificial nails in almost 15 years, but my manicures don't last more than 5 days and I suck at doing my own nails. I'm anxious to see how well this holds up.