First of all, thanks to all your well wishes for Hannah’s birthday.  I’ll have her do her own guest post to say thanks!

So the day started out with fresh coffee (Hannah’s recent favorite – Intelligentsia Summer Blend) and Buttermilk Banana Milk Chocolate Chip Pancakes.  She said these were so good, they didn’t even need syrup! 

She said they were really fluffy! Probably because I made the batter about 1/2 hour before she woke up so the baking powder had time to work!
She said they were really fluffy! Probably because I made the batter about 1/2 hour before she woke up so the baking powder had time to work!

 

My breakfast was 2 ounces of Panera Sesame bread, 1/2 cup egg beaters, 1/2 shredded zucchini and 1.5 ounces of muenster cheese
My breakfast was 2 ounces of Panera Sesame bread, 1/2 cup egg beaters, 1/2 shredded zucchini and 1.5 ounces of muenster cheese

So after breakfast we showered and hit the church rummage sale.  Since it’s the last day, anything you can fit in a bag is only $2!

sadly there was a lot of underwear! But we made out great on workout t-shirts - all in great condition - we probably each got a dozen t-shirts for $2!
sadly there was a lot of underwear! But we made out great on workout t-shirts - all in great condition - we probably each got a dozen t-shirts for $2!

Then after the rummage sale we went to the library.  Hannah had movies to return and I looked around too.

I didn't find anything! :D
I didn't find anything! 😀

And then we hit the batting cages!  It was kind of dark in there, so the pictures aren’t too great.  I think I like Hannah’s softball stance better than mine!  My firm’s softball season is starting in a few weeks so Hannah wanted to get some practice in. 

She did great! And this was fast pitch at 50 miles an hour!
She did great! And this was fast pitch at 50 miles an hour!
Me, not so much - I was probably 5 for 22! 50 mph is REALLY fast!
Me, not so much - I was probably 5 for 22! 50 mph is REALLY fast!

Then we picked up lunch at our local beef joint.  I got a grilled chicken pita and put some barbecue sauce on at home. 

The chicken was really good!
The chicken was really good!

So after lunch Hannah and I headed out again – this time to pick up tiny dogs at our local pet store!  We chose a 13 week old Boston Terrier – she was so soft and cuddly!  The funny thing was that when you held her, she just kind of put her head down and was almost on the verge of sleep, but the second you put her down, she went right for Hannah’s shoe laces!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJ2Uv0yvMhQ]

And then after the pet store we went to Hannah’s next favorite store Marshalls!  I got a great deal on rocks glasses, seems I’ve broken too many lately.  These match one that I already have and they were only 4 glasses for $6.99!  Sweet!

I like these because they are really heavy
I like these because they are really heavy

Then we came home, relaxed a bit and then went to a Japanese grocery store.  Hannah has had green tea mousse at Sweet Tomatoes only once before, but has yet to have it again.  We found it at this store, although it was in cake form!  I’ll post pictures of the grocery store trip tomorrow, because I was like a kid in a candy store – and only spent $33!

they sold TONS of whole fish!
they sold TONS of whole fish!

Then after that we went to an Italian grocery store because Hannah decided she did not want a birthday cake, only a canoli!  We are all too full now to eat one, so I’ll post that picture tomorrow too!

Then it was on to dinner at hands down one of the best Chinese restaurants called Heng Wing in Palatine.  We met my step-son Joe and his girlfriend Jen there.  The food is SO FLAVORFUL!  Sadly, the restaurant was really dark and I didn’t want to use the flash. 

We ordered a sampler plate of appetizers - this was really good - it was shrimp - and surprisingly not greasy!
We ordered a sampler plate of appetizers - this was really good - it was shrimp - and surprisingly not greasy!
My entree was spicy shrimp - literally I think I had at least 25 shrimp this size on my plate! I ate about 5 - lots of leftovers!
My entree was spicy shrimp - literally I think I had at least 25 shrimp this size on my plate! I ate about 5 - lots of leftovers!

And we told the server that it was Hannah’s birthday and she brought her rainbow sherbert:

Hannah shared this with Joe and Jen!
Hannah shared this with Joe and Jen!

I am probably the fullest I have been in a LONG time.  I obviously didn’t take pictures of everything I ate: a big spoonful of Tony’s moo shu beef (so good!), 2 potstickers with lots of Chinese mustard, a fried wonton, probably 3/4 cup of white rice, and um, a few beers!  But as long as its someone’s birthday at your table, calories don’t matter, right?

And tomorrow is another full day!  Hannah and I are picking up my sister to see my Mom in a concert she is performing in at Dominican University, and then its dinner out.  I am so excited, its a cheese market that is also a restaurant!  It’s called Marion Street Market  and I am pretty sure you guys know how I feel about cheese!   It’s actually owned by someone I played field hockey with 27 years ago!  She was a senior when I was a freshman in high school. 

Whew – it feels like it should be midnight already and its only 9:30!  Don’t forget to set your clocks ahead tonight!  See you tomorrow.