It never fails that on or the day before my birthday, something ridiculous happens.

I should have known when I woke to the sound of a gunshot yesterday, to stay in bed.

Thankfully the gunshot turned out to be a truck with gas, however, it was definitely a warning shot.

After crazy glueing my fingers together trying to fix a toy for Isaac, a red nail polish incident that left carpet hanging in the balance and made my son look like Dennis Rodman, a nasty chain of emails from some lovely neighbors, and a balance bar that ended up all over every inch of my son- making it look like he was imitating black face, I pressed on loading the car for a trip to the city so Leo and I could have a date night.

After 10 trips back into the house, (poor Isaac that will likely never marry a Taurus because of this trait)Isaac was growing impatient, so I ran to the dumpster to throw our trash out and be on our way. 

Clink.

What was that?

Climbing up in my flip flops, I searched for something that could have made that sound and finally my eyes focused on a familiar object,

MY CAR KEYS.

Nice.

Tacking inventory of my book of memories, searching to see if I had encountered and solved this before, I came up with nothing.

Then suddenly I thought;

SKI POLE.

After a struggle trying to teach the ski pole a new trick, I escaped victorious and was so excited that I nearly ended up face first in the dumpster any way.

"One more trip into the house, I promise Isaac."

"MAMA, NO!!"

And just as I nearly escaped our bedroom, I saw an incoming email on the computer announcing my surprise party.

At least I had time to pick a cuter outfit, practice my surprised face and know that there just might be a light at the end of the tunnel.