Birthday Favorites - Surprises, Smiles & Cake!

I turned 40 this week and I've had the best time celebrating with family and friends!  I can't wait to show you the fun things I've gotten to do.  I felt very loved and very special all week long.  What more could a girl ask for on her birthday!?

1. Cake Bake Shop

If you live in or around Indiana or pay attention to up and coming cake shops, you may have heard of Cake Bake Shop in the Indianapolis area.  They've got two locations and it's been on my radar for years.  A few of my mom friends who also happen to be on the board of my local mom's group with me - surprised me with a birthday mom's night out.  They told me to - look cute, be ready for a road trip and it would be a late night.  Our husbands were home with the 11 kids for the night so we could go out and celebrate.  I showed up and we all piled in one of our vans to head to the Indy area.

We pulled up to Cake Bake and I was really excited!  I was hoping this would be where we landed.  I couldn't wait to see the place for myself.  It exceeded all of my expectations!  I think it's safe to say that 40 has been my favorite birthday yet.

We toured the gift shop and all the photo op locations while we waited on our reservation.  My friend booked it months in advance for us.  What a treat!  They've got swans everywhere.  I love these ladies!

We all loved our cakes - carrot, caramel, mint and confetti.  That carrot cake was AMAZING.

The swan sled was too much fun!

The restaurant is GORGEOUS!  You feel like you're on set of the dreamiest Hallmark movie.  There is something beautiful every direction you look.

The entire shop (desserts included) sparkle!  Look at all these trees!

There were polar bears everywhere.  Did you know that I love polar bears??  They're my favorite so that was an unexpected treat.

You can just walk into the gift shop and buy desserts.  We scoped everything out and then headed to our table.  Every single dessert looks amazing.

We got a birthday greeting as we were seated.  I got to order first and felt like a queen the whole time.

They have Cake Bake shop dishes, glasses and every single detail is beautiful.  The hostesses and serves wear the prettiest pink blazers and uniforms.  There are pretty photo ops - trees, fire places and decorations - at every turn.

You can order fancy lemonades.  My friends got pretty purple lemonades and this was my drink.

I'll probably dream of this Chicken Picata forever.  It's one of my favorite dishes and it was AMAZING.  I was so surprised.  I knew the cake would be amazing, but I didn't realize that every single food item that they serve would be delicious.  Everyone loved their meals.

Swans everywhere you turn!  We missed going back to the gift shop to shop because we were still finishing up our food at 10:00pm.  So if you go for dinner, be sure to shop before the gift shop closes.

I'm so thankful for these friends!  We've worked hard together and gotten to know each other well these past few years working together for our local mom's group.  They're the best.  Our "meetings" are always a highlight of the month and we are happy for any reason to hang out.  I'm a lucky girl to have friends like these.

2.  Fun @ Home

The kids were excited to celebrate my birthday.  Kevin brought home roses for me twice this week - pink one day and orangey red a few days later.  They were super pretty!  I got several gift cards to my favorite places.  It'll be fun to shop for the new house.

3. I enjoyed doing some of my favorite things this week - a trip through Aldi where I found some things I've been on the hunt for and did a little Christmas shopping at Hobby Lobby.  Leo's a pretty good side kick as long as I've got the snacks.  And birthday rewards - I love cashing those in at my favorite spots.

4. Birthday cheesecake for me!  It's my favorite every year.

5. Peek a Boo - Leo's favorite game is peek-a-boo.  He thinks it's hilarious.  Who wouldn't love a cute lunch date!?

6. Remember me saying I found something that I'd been looking for at Aldi... it was this leaf board!  Isn't it cute!?  It's HUGE and will be so fun for Thanksgiving.  My family enjoyed this Thanksgiving Snack Board this week.

7. #momlife

Making appointments for yourself even if you have to bring along side kicks.  Leo came with me to get my teeth cleaned.  No cavities - yay!  And we both got new toothbrushes.

8. Family Birthday

My parents invited me to a birthday dinner on Sunday at my favorite spot - Old Chicago.

Then they surprised me with the whole family!  We took up the entire room :)  It was such a fun surprise that they all traveled an hour to meet us halfway between Terre Haute & Newburgh to celebrate with me.

These cute girls made me a birthday crown.

We had cake and cheesecake.  My sister made me the prettiest cake.

What a fun week!!  I feel super thankful for all the birthday fun this week.  I don't usually love surprises, but birthday surprises are great :)  It'll be a quiet weekend over here after all this fun.

Linking up with Momfessionals