15 + 23 = 35

15 + 23 = 35

The above math equation is very true.  You might be asking yourself "is it a new way to do math" or "is Jessica really blonde" but the answer to both of these questions is no.  

So, here is the formula:

Once Brennen turned   there are only days until I turn .  

Aaaaagggghhhh!  I am NOT ready.  Just kidding.  It really doesn't bother me.  So, this blog is really a lot about Brennen and a little about me.  

Brennen decided to celebrate his birthday this year.  I don't know why.  There were several whole discussions that surrounded this.  But the bottom line is that he wanted to acknowledge his birthday.  We waited until this past weekend because he was at this dad's on his actual birthday.  

This was harder than normal.  How do you celebrate a teenage boys birthday?  I had offered to take him and 2 friends to Ruidoso for the day.  He said no.  I offered to take them to one of his favorite restaurants and let them hang out and play pool.  He said no.  So, what was left?  Pinterest.  I saw this post for a teenager's party where they had made "goodie bags" for everyone with gum, a coke, and beef jerky in it.  So, my little light bulb dinged and I ran with it.  

I thought to myself - Brennen LOVES gum.  He is always asking for it and very recently started referring to it as his medicine.  *side note:  I went to the store a few weeks back and asked, "Brenn do you need anything?"  His reply was, "Yeah.  Can you please pick me up some more medicine".  This was the first time he used it but of course my reaction was like "what medicine"  "do you not feel good".  He laughed and said my gum!  Ha Ha.  So, this little light bulb thought, "how cool would it be to buy 15 different kinds of gum and wrap them all individually?"  It was Brilliant!

So, if you are wondering if I found 15 different kinds of gum - I found enough to work.  A few were the same brand but different flavors.   But there were gumballs, and sticks, and containers that fit in a cup holder.  There were boxes and little Chiclets.  There was Bazooka and Airheads.  Some for fresh breathe and some for fruity breath.  So, yes, I wrapped them all individually.  

I then hid them in different locations so that he would find them throughout the weekend.  At this point, I do have a confession.  Brennen is not always as impressed with my BRIGHT IDEAS as I am. So, by about the 4th package, he really became concerned.  *please keep in mind that I am ALWAYS on him about brushing his teeth.  He came to me and was like, "mom, I get the hint."  Of course, I am like, "what are you talking about".  He goes on to tell me that he got the hint that he has bad breathe.  (He had just opened a tropical fruit flavored trident).  I laughed and explained that wasn't it.  I explained that he is always asking for gum and so I thought it would be fun and that he would like it - but only after I inquired as to how having FRUITY breathe was any better than bad breathe.  

About a few hours later, he received the 5th package and didn't even open it.  Just shoved it into his backpack.  At this point I informed him that he was sucking all of the fun out of it.  I asked him how many packages did he think he would get and he stated 19.  I asked why 19 but he didn't have an answer.  I told him to keep track.  He still did not seem impressed so I asked if he wanted them all right then together.  He stated no.  I gave a choice - it was all together, or keep doing it one at a time.  He grudgingly said one at a time.  Inside I was dying.  It was altogether hilarious.  I usually get upset when Brennen doesn't think that my ideas are as great as I do.  But not this time.  I just thought it was super funny.  

That night he went to the Season Opener Football Game for Goddard with his friends.  Yup - I was in cahoots with one of his friends and he even got packages at the game.  He stayed out with his friends after the game and then had 2 of them stay the night.  Brennen woke up sick on Sunday but we had planned to have a little cake eating at 2pm.  So, I told him he would just need to buck up.  On Saturday, I took Brenn and Chase to Sam's Club where Brennen picked out his cake, ice cream, and drinks.  Man, that kid has a sweet tooth!  Here is the cake he picked out:

to go with it he first picked out SNICKERS ice cream bars and Cherry Dr. Pepper.  I hinted at him that the Snicker's might be a bit overboard.  He switched to Homemade Vanilla by Bluebell (my mom's favorite).  

So, Sunday afternoon (please forgive me I did not get any pictures) we all gathered at Mom & Scotty's for cake, ice cream, and soda.  Jeremy and Chase (2 of Brennen's friends) came.  Gladys, Amber, and all 4 little girls came and of course Mom and Scotty were there as well.  Brennen really didn't feel good but he made it through.  

Oh, yeah - for the 15th package - I wrapped up a new cell phone so he would think it was gum!  Fun right?  

Here is a picture of Brennen with all of the kids (taken back in July) but it is a fun picture to share:

Well, in the beginning I stated that we were going to talk about both of our birthdays but this turned out longer than I anticipated so...

Stay tuned.  The next post will be about QUINOA!  and then I will clue you guys into what might be the best Birthday EVER (or at least for this year)!