So I’m 31 now and I expected the day to pass with little fanfare.  Sister’s parties are always so involved and require so much attention and planning (I’m not complaining - just stating fact.) that by the time my birthday rolls around the following week I have spared little time to prepare for it.  Will comments on how bad he is at creating surprises but despite his assessment to the contrary, he came home early this evening and that was a surprise.  And he came with the most luscious chocolate cake which he apparently ordered last week and that was a surprise.  We had a small dinner at home with my parents and the children before opening gifts and enjoying the cake with a hot cup of coffee.