Sisters' (and Mom's) Birthday Lunch

For the last several years my mom, sisters and I get together for lunch to celebrate our birthdays. Amy's birthday is December 29, mine is December 31, Mom's (Susan) is January 13, and Christine's is January 20. Michelle's birthday is on Halloween, and Katie's is Tax Day (my parents had a thing about their kids having birthdays on holidays so it would seem). Michelle and Katie are always invited to come along on these lunches because we go with them to celebrate theirs when they're here.
Sidenote- It was at one such lunch 13 years ago that I told my mother that I was pregnant with my first baby. She was very unhappy with that news as I was supposed to wait until I was done with school and had a few years of work experience under my belt before I even thought about becoming pregnant. (Tried as best I could, but he came despite our efforts to prevent him from coming so soon!) I won't post any more about that particular day, one in which I find a great deal of humor, but of which day my mother isn't so fond of. (BTW, Mom, I am ROFLMBO thinking about it right now. Amy might be doing the same thing.)
Back to the posting- We are going to Olive Garden this year. Christine, who is pregnant with baby number two, chose it. I believe that the pregnant person's preferences should be priority... unless, of course, they want to eat at a seafood restaurant. I won't go there (or any other fishy place) for anyone. Some things are just wrong, and you should never make concessions for. Seafood restaurants are one such thing for me. Anyway, we have gone for pedicures and manicures in the past, but because I just got one on Tuesday I am not going to participate this time. I have purchased the gifts for Christine and Mom. I can't wait to see my mother's face when she sees what it is. And reads it out loud. Thanks, Jenn, for the great idea.
I am curious to see how this all turns out as I still have NO VOICE whatsoever. An occasional squeak still manages to come out, but to be heard at all it must be silent, and I must "yell" to get even close to the decibel that a whisper would equal. I think I'm going to take either a notebook to "talk" or a wipe board. This is so embarrassing! Forced silence, I suppose. And isn't it funny that when a person loses their voice that everyone else feels the need to whisper to them? It happened last night at the urgent care, Target pharmacy, the Target check-out line, and Starbucks (where I stopped after I got my Rx filled- love their peppermint hot cocoa). My kids are whispering to me, and so are people that I run into. I think I do this too... I guess we're taught to match voice levels with the people with whom we converse.
I'll post pictures of our lunch after I come home, and probably even post pictures from New Year's Eve then. What a special treat, no?

Katie and I. There was something behind her head... she did not suddenly sprout horns!

UPDATE- Okay so here's what happened. I got to the restaurant last. It always seems that something comes up as soon as I need to leave. Today it was that Kent had fallen asleep, and as I had no voice I couldn't get him to wake up. So I left all of the kids here while he slept soundly. I did come prepared with my notebook to write notes so I could participate in the conversation. I must be a really big loudmouth because this lunch was one of the quietest ones we've ever had. It's just not the same when you add your two cents after everyone else has had their say- and you've just finished writing. And, Amy, we certainly missed you there. Hopefully you can be at our next one! You too, Michelle!

The gift I gave my mom that I wanted to see her reaction on was Sexy Motherpucker lip gloss. Her reaction did not disappoint.

This is when she first opened it up and read the name. I tried to get her to say the name 3X in a row out loud, but she wouldn't do it. I think she was afraid she'd slip. Naughty!

Katie reading the package about making your lips 10X their normal size. Don't believe everything you read...

Mom (trying to) read the description on the back. She forgot her spectacles. Did I mention she likes to say, "Oh, Sissy!" when I do or say something that shocks her? I think she said that a few times today.

Christine enjoyed Mom's reaction.

Melia and Katie. Melia would not look at the camera for me. She also thinks that Ursula the Sea Witch from the Little Mermaid stole my voice.

After lunch we ordered a chocolate cake that had hot chocolate in the center of it. There was a cream on the plate and sliced strawberries. I took the very first bite (with a clean spoon) and the very last bite so I wouldn't get anyone sick. It was pretty yummy.

When I came home Kent, Justin, Trevor, Katie and John (Katie's boyfriend) went riding out at Box Canyon. Kent and Trevor have quads, and I think the other 3 have dirt bikes. Drew and Natalie usually get quite upset when the boys go riding without them so I usually take them to do something fun. Today I was too pooped after the lunch so I changed to comfy clothes, got my pillow and blanket and fell asleep on my recliner for about 2 1/2 hours while Natalie and Drew played the Wii. Then Drew hit his head on the coffee table, got mad, then went upstairs and took a 5 1/2 hour nap. When I got up I made salsa chicken, Spanish rice, refried beans and chocolate chip cookies for dessert. I didn't feel so guilty for taking that nap after doing all that.

It's now 1:09 a.m. and he's still WIDE awake. I'm not sure how much longer I'll be able to stay awake. At least he's not mad at me anymore for not having a voice.