The Monday afternoon slump has hit, so I think it’s time to give you all part two of my birthday recap and remember the fun all over again. Part One included donuts, massages, and champagne (oh, my!). Part Two will include shopping, dining, and cheesecake (oh me, oh my!). Let’s get right to it!

I left you off after my little “affair” with Javier (the stereotypical male masseuse). It was still a bit on the early side for dinner, so I asked Peter if we could stop into Target. The Target close to our house is really random and never has anything that catches my eye, but this one got me. The one thing I wanted to pick up turned into $100 and change worth of purchases. But, I just couldn’t say no…

I bought two dresses like that and three new running shorts because my others have gotten a bit large…and I have a problem. There goes my G-Pa birthday money. You would think I’m not good with my money or something.  

Shopping worked up my appetite enough to head over for dinner after changing into my new dress in the parking lot of Target. Yet again, Peter knows me all too well. A lot of times, I get in moods for things and nothing else will satisfy. So he made sure to go to the one place that no matter what mood struck me, they would have something on the massive book of a menu.

Yep! Another Cheesecake Factory visit just a few short months after we went last for our anniversary. I didn’t mind. Not one bit.

After a decently long wait we both wanted to gnaw our arms off by the time we sat down. I immediately ordered a water and a Blue Moon beer to go with my bread basket. Hey – I was celebrating!  

Then, it took us all of forever to finally decide what we wanted. A lot of times at Cheesecake Factory I like to get a few of their small plates or appetizers to share with my dining partner. That way I can get a taste of a few of the many things that cause me to drool all over the table. Peter and I sometimes have trouble settling on what to share, but we had the same tastes last night for a change. Yes!

We created a tasting spread of the following:

Beets and Goat Cheese Small Salad

Tex-Mex Eggrolls

Two Small Flatbreads (one for each of us)

You can guess my choice, I’m sure. Roasted Pear and Blue Cheese? Get in my belly!

Everything was phenomenal and we hung around for over two hours enjoying the night, our conversation, making goofy faces at each other, and not having to rush back home for kids. We love them so dearly, but I definitely feel the importance in having some time to ourselves as well. Such a pleasurable night!

Oh, wait…it didn’t end there. You know we had to get cheesecake!!

I couldn’t decide which flavor I wanted – Red Velvet Cheesecake or Lemoncello Torte – so we got both. Duh. On your birthday you go big or go home!

We shared the Lemoncello Torte slice after getting home Saturday night and the Red Velvet slice last night. Gotta love a birthday that carries on into the next day with leftovers. Mmm Mmm Mmm. I wish every day could be my birthday!

• Do you prefer your own meal or sharing different things when dining out?

Can we go back to yesterday so I can relive it five bajillion times? Pretty please with a cherry on top? As I mentioned in my post last night, Peter had a day planned out to celebrate my birthday together. And he met my two requests for my birthday – not having to think/worry about anything and feeling pampered/doted on – with flying colors. It was truly a perfect day for me.

You already know that yesterday started with a 9.5 mile long run followed with a cereal breakfast on our back deck. What I didn’t tell you was that I came home to a strangely serene and relaxing environment. Normally, I walk in the door and immediately have a toddler tugging on my leg and a bobbling baby scooting around getting into all sorts of trouble. Normally, I have about point two seconds to devour food, grab an ice bath, and attempt to stretch/foam roll as I get treated like a jungle gym.

Yesterday? Yesterday I was able to come home, leisurely eat my breakfast in peace, and take my time doing whatever I darn well pleased. While out on my run, Peter had taken the kids to his moms for them to spend the day and night with her. Suh-weet! I can’t even tell you how long it’s been since I could have a chill morning like that!

And apparently…on the way home from dropping off the kids, he picked up a little something something for me.

A Pistachio Mango donut from the only place I will ever eat a donut – Dutch Monkey Donuts. Dutch Monkey is a family owned shop churning out gourmet, high quality donuts made from scratch every day. Their menu changes daily and Peter discovered this gem for the first time.

We only go maybe once every few months, so this was quite the little surprise. Nothing big, but a special little touch to get the day started. And I love that he knows me so well to pick a mango donut over the chocolate crème pie he chose for himself. You know how else he knows me so well? While I was out he also tweaked a few things to my new menu for the blog (have you checked it out yet?) to make it look better. Sweets and blogging. I knew I married this man for a reason.  

Once early afternoon rolled around, Peter told me we had to get ourselves out the door. We had somewhere to be. Just where exactly?

Let the day of no worries, relaxing fun continue! I think he could sense I needed a physical and mental break. What better way to do that than sitting for 2.5 hours in a cool theatre, getting lost in a great story?

And while no movie ever compares to its book counterpart, I loved The Help and thought the directors/producers did a wonderful job recreating the book, developing the characters, and grabbing the essence of the stories. Much enjoyed!

After that, Peter said we had to go drop off something at his mom’s house that he forgot for the kids. Braedon just may need more than two diapers to get through the day after all. I told him I didn’t mind the pit stop and would love to see them for a few minutes. Well, little did I know it was all a ploy because before getting to his mom’s house Peter dropped me off somewhere else.

Why….hello, lover! A massage! A massage! A massage!!!!! And not just any massage. Some sort of body melt treatment that would include an hour massage plus reflexology treatment and a glass of champagne. I gave Peter a big kiss and giddily bounced my way into the salon’s main entrance.

Then plopped right on down with my champagne while waiting for Javier to come get me.

Yes, Javier. I about died laughing because not only did he have a stereotypical guy masseuse name but he looked the part to a tee too. Ha!

The massage itself went wonderfully. At first it felt a little weird having a guy massage me, since it was the first time. And it took a bit to quiet my mind – I have problems with that and it had hit me I wouldn’t be seeing the kiddos – but then I let it all go. It was truly the best massage I have had in my life.

I kept thinking “oh, it’s over now” and then Javier would start working the kinks out somewhere else…or start the soothing scalp/neck stress relief…or  start the reflexology (TLC for the feet). It actually didn’t zoom by in a flash! And Javier knew what he was doing. I mentioned training for a half marathon and also having a sore neck and shoulder area. He actually focused on those spots instead of just going through a standard massage routine. I can’t say this without it sounding dirty, so here it goes – Javier worked me in just the right places and it felt ohmygoshsogood Yea. Told you it would sound dirty.

Eventually Javier and I parted ways so I could go back to my true love. Peter found my goofy grin hilarious and kept saying it sounds like things got a little frisky with Javier. I told him not to worry. And then we went on our merry way for the rest of the night…which I will talk about tomorrow. I have written enough for one post. Hope you all had a great weekend too! See you in the morning.  

• What is the last movie you saw? Did you like it?
• What things can someone do for you that makes you say “he/she knows me so well”?