Almost Forty

Does thirty-nine ever get any respect as an age? I mean, really: it's the gateway to 40. You are now teetering on the edge of no longer being able to claim that you are in your thirties. There's a whole other decade on the other side of the next 365/366.

And it looks like a long way down.

Me: the early days.

On my 1st birthday.

Don't worry, it's not your eyes - the photos are blurry. My mom, she's not so good with the photographic equipment.
That's my older sister to the left and me on the right. I've no idea who the boy is. Perhaps one of my billion cousins?
A very new me. Not a flattering photo at all, but would you look at that doll?! I'm terrified just looking at it! And do I ever have a lot of hair!
Dawn shares her lollipop with me. She was a good big sister that way. Note naked baby doll in background. I think it's following me.
Mom makes the best cakes, even waaaaay back then. Notice how carefully she cut a slice for me that I am busy smashing into my own face? Excellent! Dawn looks ready to snag the remaining partly mashed piece from my plate, even though she's got a bigger piece on her own plate.

You know, she looks kinda like Logan there. Or rather, Logan looks rather like she does.
Bathing beauties. Maybe it's just me, but did wading pools used to be really small and then got bigger over time? This one is barely covering our ankles and it's not like we're giants or anything. Although these days I practically tower over Dawn with my extra 4 inches. Heh heh heh!

Yup, that's my mom. If anyone wonders where the looks come from in our family, well all point collectively at her. (Sorry dad!)

So let's see: thirty-nine years and what do I have to show for it?

One of these:
One of these:
One of these:
Oh and one of these, making all of the three previous items possible:
And a pair of these:

Add in a few thousand plants, dozens of friends and relatives and that may be as good as it gets.

Not too shabby.

If only there were cake!

And naps. Definitely would like a few more naps.

Happy birthday to meeee! Zzzzzz!