It’s my birthday today.* I’m older than yesterday. All my friends are coming over to play and they’ll all sing happy birthday.
And then give me 40 freakin’ claps with one clap for ‘good luck with that’.
Yep, the big 40-0MG.
I’ve been growing up for 40 years and I still don’t feel like a grown-up. I am beginning to suspect that there is no such thing. Mind you, was it my mother who said “It’s only your generation that thinks 40 is still young” (yep, that sounds like Mum). She has a point… only a generation ago you were basically given permission to let it all hang out past forty. No need to maintain an illusion of youthful trendiness because basically you’re older and wiser and you know comfort should really be the priority. Wouldn’t that be nice? Slippers. Terry toweling dresses. Pottering. Bedtime at 8pm.
Yikes. That all sounds so tempting I’m scaring myself a little bit. And I will spare a thought today for my dear Mum who must seriously be feeling every one of my 40 years right about now. If it’s freakish being a 40 year old, imagine being the mother of a 40 year old. That’s a right mutha, that is.
So, this week I’m grateful for…
160. Birthdays – I like to make a whole year out of my birthday.
161. Parties – oh, how I love to plan and play at a party. To make up for the fact that I didn’t have a 21st or a 30th, I’m having a BIG party at home in November instead of August. Weather and all…
162. Balloons – they’re not seen as cool enough to decorate many parties these days, but a balloon still makes a gal feel very happy on my birthday.
So, what’s making you smile today? Add your Grateful post to the list below (and please, we love you, but it really does matter that your post is one about being grateful, not just a random), add the button (grab the code from my sidebar and paste it into your post) and pretty-please add a link back to me. Then pop over to visit other bloggers who are spreading a little sunshine.
* Well, technically tomorrow – 6 Augie.
[Image from here]
Megan Blandford says
Happy birthday! Hope it’s a wonderful one and you’re spoilt rotten. xx
therhythmmethod says
Happy birthday! Who says balloons aren’t cool? I love them. I dare someone to hold a helium balloon while walking down the street and not feel deliciously happy. Enjoy your birthday weekend. xx
Seana Smith says
Happy Birthday Maxabella! Forty is SO YOUNG!! I’m sure your mum does feel it a bit though. Recently my BABY sister turned 43… that made me feel older than my own birthdays do!
I think the 40’s are good for a woman. Convinced that I am actually getting wiser as well as just older since I turned 40. Amazing! At last!
I’m sure you are wise already, and will grown yet wiser this 40th year.
Miss Mandy says
Happy Birthday, it’s worth celebrating.
Jane says
Ohh, Bron, happy birthday!! I hope you’ve had the best day. Enjoy the weekend! xxx
Simoney says
Happy Happy Birthday! I hope it comes with lots of multi-coloured shiny helium balloons.
Balloons still say “party” to me!
And 40. Welcome to My Side of the Hill. Its just a gentle downhill slope!
I laughed out loud at what your mum said. That is too funny. And too true.
Still, even with the extra pressure to still look good at 40, I think I’d rather that than be past it already!
Like you, I feel like I’m still figuring out how to grow up!
x
Posie Patchwork says
Oh hip hip hooray, forty sounds so grown up doesn’t it, do you feel it, sensible, never!! Have a blast & do share so we bloggie/ interstate buddies can see how much fun the celebrations are/ were/ will continue!!
Me, taking the weekend off out of life, need to recoup & regroup really, love Posie
Posie Patchwork says
Oh hip hip hooray, forty sounds so grown up doesn’t it, do you feel it, sensible, never!! Have a blast & do share so we bloggie/ interstate buddies can see how much fun the celebrations are/ were/ will continue!!
Me, taking the weekend off out of life, need to recoup & regroup really, love Posie
Posie Patchwork says
Oh hip hip hooray, forty sounds so grown up doesn’t it, do you feel it, sensible, never!! Have a blast & do share so we bloggie/ interstate buddies can see how much fun the celebrations are/ were/ will continue!!
Me, taking the weekend off out of life, need to recoup & regroup really, love Posie
Leanne says
Happy birthday!
Yes’ it is funny that our generation is the first to think 40 is young. I turned 45 this year and I’m beginning to think 50 is quite young. Barrack Obama turned 50 yesterday and i think he’s pretty groovy π
Sydney Shop Girl says
Happy Birthday, maxabella!
Leos rock!
SSG xxx
Sydney Shop Girl blog
Posie Patchwork says
OMG, could i look more keen or bloggie comment inabled?? Just love you triple of everyone else, love Posie
Jane says
Woo hoo! Welcome to the super-exclusive four-oh-oh club, Bron. I’ve been enjoying its delights for nearly a year now and can highly recommend the experience ☺. Yep, we gen Xers are taking over the reins now. Watch out! J x
CurlyPops says
Happy Birthday Maxabella – what a fabulous milestone you’ve reached. Hope you have a wonderful celebration!
Paula says
Happy birthday Maxabella – you’re lovely π
Kellie says
Big happy birthday!!!! I have that song stuck in my head now! Hehe! π
Love that you’re having balloons. No birthday is complete without them, I say. xx
Shelley @ My Shoebox Life says
Hip Hip Hooray! 40 – wow – I remember when my Mum turned 40 and I was 18. How scary is that? Imagine having a fully grown child by now! Wishing you much love and happiness as you begin this next exciting chapter. PS You don’t look 40. Whatever 40 is supposed to look like! xxx
Mum on the Run says
Happy, happy birthday.
Enjoy your special day(s).
Party hard.
Sad – but my Dad’s 40th is still one of the best parties I’ve ever been to!!!
π
Miss Pink says
Happy Happy Birthday to you dear friend!
P.S. Is Ali going to be annoyed you may have given her age away now?
Denwise aka Denyse Whelan says
Oh Maxabella, Happy Birthday….and I have added my post to your theme of BIRTHDAYS…but I truly and ruly want you to go look at the one called
I AM GRATEFUL TO BE KT’s MUM.
It’s quite a bit of ….won’t say
Love Denyse
Rhi@FlourChild says
Happy Birthday!!! x Rhi
Kirsty says
Happy Birthday from a fellow Leo (mine is on Sunday!) Aren’t you just glad you dodged the Census Night bullet this year? Nothing like spending your birthday night filling out forms…hope you are enjoying a far more enjoyable birthday night!
Jodi @ The Scribble Den says
Happy Birthday Bron! How exciting. I love parties too.
And I love this quote
“I’ve been growing up for 40 years and I still don’t feel like a grown-up.”
Me neither. Well I’m not 40 yet LOL. But I don’t think I want to grow up either π
Have a wonderful day xx
e. Xx says
Oh, happy birthday to you!! x
I am grateful for the very same thing this week — my little girl turns TWO on Sunday!!
Kymmie says
Happy Birthday for tomorrow. I put it in my diary so I could remember to send you a wee message.
40 is the new 30, because we said so. And yes, what is 40 supposed to look like?
I hope you never grow up. I think that’s part of your charm. Wise and fun. Have an awesome time celebrating the whole year! (And I’ll be joining you in 6 weeks!) xx
kirsty@shoproomstudio says
Dammit!! i thought 40 was the new 20.
Happy Happy Birthday to you!
Hope it’s all sorts of wonderful.
x
georgi says
happy happy birthday! nice to meet you, fellow august baby! x
Sam says
Happy Birthday. Hope you enjoy every minute, celebrate and toast to the future! xSam
Sam Findlay says
Happy birthday! Enjoy! X
Seana Smith says
Aahhh, thanks for having this Linky. I have been thinking about my dad all week and mentally composing thoughtful words about him, letters to him… this link has given me a chance to write something really personal, that I wanted to say. Oh blimey, life is full of emotion sometimes and birth and death are so overwhelming; this middle bit is easy.
Jess says
Happy birthday! I do love a little bit of Justine Clark π
Hope u got suitably spoilt rotten xx
Aubrey S. says
Happy, happy, happy birthday!
Cath says
Happy birthday Maxabella! You know this is the start of something big, don’t you?
Leah says
Happy birthday! 40 sure is better than the alternative π
erin says
happy BIG 40!!
erin
xxoo
neesay says
Hope your day is full of sunshine & lollipops xx
flowerpress says
Happy Happy Birthday π
bron @ baby space says
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Hope you have a super awesome day tomorrow π
(ok, and totally have that song in my head now. thanks π
Marion Williams-Bennett says
Quote for your birthday from Judi Dench:
“I get sillier as I get older, so I don’t know what wisdom means. I can only pass on something that I’ve been acquainted with and let whomever it is pick the bones out of it”
thanks for sharing your birthday, your silliness, your wisdom. Happy birthday!
jody says
Happy Birthday Bron!! Hope you have an amazing day and get utterly spoilt!! Enjoy every minute!! xx
β’Β΄.ΒΈΒΈ.β’¨¯`β₯.Trish.β₯´¯¨β’.ΒΈΒΈ.Β΄β’ says
Happy Birthday Maxabella Bron ! Forty is SO YOUNG!! I agree with Seanna !!
Enjoy your 40’s they will be over too quickly. My boys were born a week before I hit 40 and lot at them now – I aged 5yrs in the blink of an eye.
Ms Styling You says
Enjoy your special day x
supermac says
40 and fab, you are. Happy birthday, Maxabella.
Mareeyah says
Happy birthday!!! π
Tammi says
Hooray for forty!! That’s me next year and I plan to make the most of it π
Happy Birthday Bron!
x
Lou says
Happy 40th Birthday…not even middle aged yet!
Talking of age, I went to the doctors today and was seen by one of the new docs I haven’t seen before. He said to me, “I’m really sorry but I need to ask you your age to complete this on-line form and I can’t see your record while I do it. I’m every so sorry to ask”
I just looked at him and said “Don’t worry about it – I’m 44 and to be honest I think I’m doing pretty good for over 40, so I don’t care who knows”.
Cheeky bugger looked at me and winked!
Enjoy your day – I hope it is fabulous π xxx
Elena says
Happy Birthday! Glad to found you on your brithday……..
Cate says
HAPPY BIRTHDAY sweety!! Hope you have the best day ever!
lots of big hugs and kisses
xxxCate
Laura says
Happy Birthday! I hope it’s a wonderful one!!
Broni says
Happy Birthday!! I hope that you have a really wonderful day!!
Michelle says
Hope you have a wonderful day
Caz (The Truth About Mummy) says
From one 40 year old to another “HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOVELY LADY” !!!! I’m working everyday on being fabulous 40 – must hurry up on that one before I turn 41! Enjoy it and be spoiled. I love justine Clark – we all seriously addicted to her silly songs. (Well maybe not Mr daddy!)
emma @ frog, goose and bear says
HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY beautiful Bron of Maxabella!
I’m very much looking forward to seeing how you celebrate in November!
I’ll be singing Justine Clarke in my head all day now…
Vicky says
Happy Birthday!! Are you feeling the Love??
Turning forty was profound for me…one year on and it just keeps getting better
have a brilliant day, and a fantasitic year.
The Beetle Shack says
PARTY ON WAYNE, PARTY ON GARTH!!
xo em
Faith Hope and a whole lotta Love says
Lots of happy birthday wishes to you today!! embrace the forties & may all your days be merry & bright XO
Alison @ MelbourneMumma says
Happy birthday! You kept that one quiet. π The big 40. Have a lovely day today, and party big in November! x
Down that Little Lane says
Happy Birthday you old fart!!…I hope you have a fabulous day and no wonder you still feel like you are growing up 40 is the new 21 for sure!!.. I have only a few more years and it will of course be the new 18 by the time I get there xx
kitty says
Happy happy birthday to you!!!!
I hope you sing & dance & laugh & cry & have the bestest day.
Lots of love to you on your special day!
Lauren says
Happy Birthday sweet lady! xx
Shan says
i love a good birthday!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY π
Jacki says
Yay! Happy Birthday! I hope you have a wonderful day! Gotta love it when your b’day is on the weekend!
LionessLady says
Happy Birthday Lovely Lady! Hope you have the most perfect day and get all that you wish for!
InkPaperPen says
Not linking up to today but had to pop by to send you a HUGE birthday greeting. Happy 40th Birthday! I am going to a friend’s 40th this evening so I will have a drink to you while I am there. I wish you health, happiness and love for the next 40!
x
MultipleMum says
Happy Birthday big sis. Sitting pretty here in my thirties. he.he. x
babygalah says
Happy Birthday to you !
I love a good birthday too….the more party and balloons and champagne the better.
Interesting thoughts on 40 from your mum….
Have fun celebrating – double dose – LOVE it x
Deb says
Happy Birthday! Being 40 is awesome. Well it is now, lol. When I turned 40 I had just found out I was pregnant with no 4 (now Miss Annie) and I was in shock. But now, honestly, I think being 40 is great. So much less angst and so much more balance!
Ebonie's Mummy says
Happy 40th have a wonderful day xx
trudi@maudeandme says
Happy Birthday!!
We are having a 7th birthday party today for my son. Over 40 coming (doing some deep breathing to try not to feel too overwhelmed) and there are lots of balloons.Can’t have a party without balloons.
Naomi says
Happy birthday! What a fabulous year to turn 40! Have a wonderful day with your loved ones xxx
Tamsyn says
Hppy Birthday gorgeous! I hope you have a ball π
Melissa says
Happy Birthday and congratulations, have a wonderful day. I’ll be joining you on the other side of 40 later in the year.
Emma says
You would be fab at any age, terry toweling and all. I like having balloons around too (except when you have to blow them up and they taste a bit funny).
Happy birthday! Have a fantastic day and a wonderful party!
Tammy says
Wishing you a wonderful birthday!!
They say life begins at 40… still 2 and a bit years for me to find out…
Enjoy your day!
Jen says
Happy Birthday! Have a wonderful day. Looking forward to photos from your party in November, I’m sure it will be fabulous, as is everything you do.
kasiabear says
hippity hip hip hoooooooray!!
happy birthday gorgeous lady!!
ms. freelancer says
Happy Birthday! =)
Ange Moore says
Happy Birthday! And I hope your home is full to the brim with lots of lovely balloons to help celebrate (in anticipation of a good proper celebration in November)!
R. Grace says
What an inspiring post! It’s an amazing and encouraging idea to keep a thankfulness list!
R. Grace says
What an inspiring post! It’s an amazing and encouraging idea to keep a thankfulness list!
mel @ loved says
Happy Birthday you wonderful woman you!! x
stink-bomb says
oh dear late as usual!!
but
i hope you had a FABULOUS birthday, got spoilt rotten and were surrounded by those you love and who love you in return.
xxx
Belinda says
Happy, happy, happy birthday. Hip, hip, hooray x
Lene says
Have a wonderful, wonderful birthday! I also love birthdays. Mine, the kids, Hubby’s. Any excuse for a party, cake and balloons is fine by me!
katiecrackernuts says
Happy birthday. And hey, I reckon we’ll all be cruisi’ toward 90 and still feel exactly the same.
Chantel says
Have an amazing Birthday xxx
MaidInAustralia says
Happy birthday, hope it rocks! You’re still a spring chicken … xo
Sandrine says
HAPPY HAPPY Birthday Bron!!!You crack me up with your theory about 40 or being the mother of one :)lol!!!I will remember all that when I hit the spot so I will laugh again! (sooon ot toooo soon perhaps:))
I am sure your friend will make you feel like a 21 again today, Enjoy!!
xx
picklebug says
Happy birthday lovely lady! August birthdays rock! Mine is in 2 weeks, and I agree, no matter how old you turn you still don’t feel like a grown up!
Rach x
lou says
Welcome you lovely lady you, to the sexy, gorgeous 40 club! Yes, it was me a month a go. Bloody 40!… I still get the shudders when I think of it. But life goes on, it’s just a stupid number… and being 40 kinda rocks, older, wiser yet still young enough to do a bit of crazy. Have a wonderful birthday… Lou xx
Amy says
Happy Birthday Bron! Hope you had a fantastic day and got spoilt rotten!
Amy xx
Lisa says
Happy Birthday! 40 isn’t so bad π
Enjoy your party!
x
sassandspice says
Happy 40th birthday! Hope you had a fab day!
sassandspice says
Happy 40th birthday! Hope you had a fab day!
nellbe says
Happy Happy Birthday!! Hope you had a fab day and have a fab year π
Vickie says
Happy Birthday, hope you have a lovely day & some delicious cake π
little love says
Happy Birthday! i Hope that it ws a good one! xx
ally says
I hope you’ve had a great day and revelled in all the blog love too π
Tamara says
Happy Birthday Lovely Lady! Enjoy!
Sheila says
Happy birthday, hope you had a great party. I’m also unsure as to when we become ‘grown up’… maybe one day x
Rhianna says
Happy birthday beautiful lady, may the year ahead be filled with love, laughter and of course plenty of fairy wishes and buttefly kisses.
Kate says
Happy birthday to you!!
I hope it’s been super duper.
Mine’s in November but I wont be there so it might not really ever happen. What happens on the road stays on the road and all..
Erin @ Eat Play Bond says
Happy Birthday! Hope you had a wonderful day, just making my way through all the other entries now xx
Kim H says
Happy Happy Happy Birthday, Bron! 40! Woo hoo! That’ll be me next year. Have a wonderful wonderful year. It’s been so lovely sharing in your beautiful blog this year and last. I hope you are spoilt absolutely rotten. Eat, drink and be merry xxx
Cath @ chunkychooky says
Oh happy happy day! I hope the last 40 show the next 40 how it is done!!
1000 Homes of Happiness says
Wowee! Happy 40th Birthday Miss Maxabella. Hope you have had a lovely weekend.
xoxoxo
Miss Kitty-Cat says
Happy birthday for yesterday!! I hope you had an awesome day and get to have a fantastic weekend!
K xx
Kelly says
Happy belated Birthday! Hope all your birthday wishes came true xo
Lizeylou says
Oh no, I miss a day or 2 of blogging and I have missed your birthday!
So HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
I havent hit my 40’s yet, but you know what I am really looking forward to them. I hope yours rock!!
MomAgain@40 says
Happy BDay! 40 is a great age! π
I used your button, although it has closed already… I am really grateful for water and power after his weekend!
Georgie says
Of course I’m popping in to say Hippo Birdie. Hope it was a wonderful day. gxo
Emma says
I know I’m a touch late, but Happy Birthday!!! I’m glad to hear you had a wonderful day!
Jen says
Happy Belated Birthday…although considering you are dragging your birthday out perhaps I should have just said “HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” π