Thursday, August 4, 2011

Not over the hill yet!

There has been much talk of another Washingtonian celebrating a big birthday today. Obama turned 50, I only turned 40. Has he aged with all that he has been dealing with? At 40 I am merely a bambina playing games. As I have told many, I remember my mother turning 40 and I thought she was ancient but, my fellow friends, I have made it through to the other side and I am pleased to report, I still feel 18. I have wound the family up all week about making it to this momentous age but not sure I feel any different. I am not over the hill yet.

The family gave me a very special day. It started with a birthday party breakfast complete with crepes. Gregorio's reputation for delicious crepes is renowned and we did have friends over to join us at 8 am before dashing off to the bus for tennis camp. When the doorbell rang I suddenly realized what they had been planning for days.

Isabella, a girl after my own heart, told me she was giving me something practical that I would use - a hand painted glass bowl for the kitchen. My 2nd dorter (yes Matilde signed her card as such) decided I needed an "English" card, the specific theme? William and Kate's wedding, a natural subject for one's 40 year old mother, don't you think?! We are not sure how many images she managed to print off the internet but they were all stuck on a piece of paper that became my birthday card. One larger image was left over, so she found an unused picture frame. Problem, both William and Kate wouldn't fit in the frame, so she cut out the less attractive half and I now have a lovely wedding photo of the Duchess of Cambridge sitting on my nightstand. Unique Mati.

I am touched by all the phone calls/emails/skype calls, not to mention cards and bumping into friends in the street. Even hotmail sent me birthday wishes, I am sure they haven't done that before, they obviously knew it was a big one! Anyway, thank you all - you all contributed to my special day.

Lots of love,
Emma xxx