Three's Company

26. Mommy's Birthday

Beth's (Mommy) POV

  This week has really been all about getting into our new summer routine. My work is flexible in that I can go to the office or easily work from home. Jordan and I decided, I'll work from home on days she needs to be on campus. Other than that, I'll go into the office, which I'm fine with. If all three of us are home, I don't imagine any work will get done. Jordan has learned she needs to get the majority of her work done on days that Paisley works. She was really stressed the days she fell behind last week. Her ability to multitask with an energetic little running around isn't the greatest. But being the planner that she is, she was able to set a routine for herself as well as Paisley.

  Plus I've been taking Paisley on bike rides after work, which gives Jordan extra time for her work. Paisley's defintely got the hang of bike riding now. She doesn't need my help anymore so we can ride side by side around the neighborhood. I think I'll take her this weekend to get her own bike. Not that Jordan minds Paisley using hers, I just think Paisley should have her own. It's sad that her parents never bought her a bike. It's such a staple item of childhood. I want my girl to have her dream bike, pink with a basket and handle bar tassels. Cute, just like her.

  Yesterday, Jordan and Paisley spent the majority of the day binge watching baking shows. Paisley was all too excited to tell me about it when I got home. She shared sneaky looks with Jordan as she told me about all the cool cakes they saw. Paisley's not so subtle hints pretty much indicate she's planning on making me a birthday cake.

  Today is my birthday. I've always had this tradition that I don't work on my birthdays. It's my gift to myself to enjoy a day off. However after breakfast together, my girls informed me they had other ideas for me. So while I am in fact off for the day, I've been kicked out of my house. Oh the irony, happy birthday to me, please disappear for a few hours.

Paisley and Jordan have been whispering and quite secretive the last couple days, which makes me a little nervous. I assume part of their plans include making a cake, which is why I've been kicked out. While I wanted to say I know about the cake and therefore shouldn't need to leave the house, I just couldn't spoil their fun.

  As I got in my car this morning, I realized I honestly have no clue where I should go or what I should do. It's only made me realize, I don't have much of a social life outside my family. I don't have favorite places to go or hobbies to occupy my time. I know my girls are trying to do something nice for me, but I have to admit, being kicked out of the house does kind of suck. I'm not sure what all they're planning, but I really hope they're not going over the top.

  My first instinct is to just go to work, but after some thought, that just seems sad. I'm not ruining my birthday tradition that's been going on nearly 15 years.

  Instead, I decide on a walk in appointment to get my hair cut. It's currently the longest it's been in a really long time. Plus I swear I saw a gray in the mirror this morning and that is just not okay. I'm not a vain person, I like keeping things simple, but I refuse to sport gray hair in my thirties.

  Maybe I am a little vain, because after my appointment I do feel a boost of confidence. My hair falls just to my shoulders and the stylist colored it in a way that amplifies my natural color. It feels silky and smooth, things I honestly never gave much thought to, but I'm really digging it right now. Suddenly all the work Jordan puts into her appearance makes a little more sense. I still don't have that kind of dedication, but for the day it's kind of fun.

  I decide to carry on with this theme and get my nails done next. I'm not daring enough to pick a bold or bright color like Jordan would. I choose a neutral nude shade, again impressed by the shiny glossy finished look.