A B See Photo Meme: B is for Birthday Season!

My kids are so clever. And they love surprises. Which is an awesome combination at this time of year in our family. 'Cuz it's birthday season!

Not only are two of my 3 sisters celebrating their b-days in January, but my mom and I share the same birthDAY. That's right. I was Mom's birthday present thirty-eleven years ago.

The cake you see above is what we had on our special day {No, I did not take this photo}. The store where I bought it calls it Chocolate Lovers Delight. It's chocolate, obviously. Is there anything else more worthy? I think not.

But the best birthday news of this month is all about my beloved...one of my own blessings...my one and only personal computer guru...drumroll, please...Spider X!!! This year is a significant birthday for him. My hubby is turning...well, I'm really not at liberty to say. Let's just say he looks awesome!! His cake doesn't deserve to be seen on my blog because it's boring not chocolate. Oh well.

And while we're on the subject of my husband, I guess it's time to explain his pseudonym for those who aren't in the know. "Spider X" is a two-fold name. And not at all creepy. Or weird.

The "spider" part is actually cool. During high school, hubby was the goalie for the hockey team each year. As a goalie's job is to hover in front of and protect the goal - which resembles a web - he got the nickname "Spider". See. I told you it was cool.

The "x" part comes from a favorite tv character. Having watched his fair share of cartoons as a kid - and as an adult - one of my husband's favorite shows was the original "Speed Racer". And therefore, Racer X was his fave car-racing dude because he's an older brother just like hubby. So that's where he got "Spider X". Here's his avatar.

Anyway, let's return to what I said at the beginning of this post about my kids being clever. On Spider X's birthday, the Chicklets used their super-abilities for good to surprise their daddy. After breakfast in bed {for him, not them} they sang and danced to "Happy Birthday" a la Wooton {from Odyssey}. It was priceless. And potentially embarrasing when we meet their future spouses. And show them photos.

But the best part came next when the kids presented their daddy with a treasure hunt!

Here's the first clue...

It's in code so hubby figured that out s-l-o-w-l-y...

and then raced to the answer here:

This was the next clue...

365/5

...which led to here and clue 3.

This clue told Spider X to race to the playroom where he found this...

365/6

On the other side of the car was a track that led to a fortress made of blocks. And inside was the birthday boy's prize...a homemade gift certificate to a Richard Petty Driving Experience! {Of course, this will have to wait until next time we're on one of our travels and near one of these tracks.} Anyway, the Chicklets had fun making up the treasure hunt all on their own, Spider X had a blast racing around finding clues, and I loved every photo opportunity. It was a great day!

The best part of birthday season is that it lasts for 2 more months while the Chicklets celebrate their big days! That means more cake. Maybe even cupcakes. I'm not sure what flavor Mr.C will want. He's known for being all over the place on sweets. But thankfully, I can rely on Catz to make the right choice...chocolate.