Birthday Weekend

Yesterday was my 18th birthday and this weekend is filled birthday fun. : )
     Last night my mom agreed to try a new recipe for Broccoli and Mushroom Risotto. (She hates trying new recipes. It stresses her out.) It was absolutely delicious and I have leftovers for lunch today. Yum! After dinner, my sister and I set out to make a gluten-free chocolate cake. We had a few minor mishaps while cooking it but the major (read: hilarious) disaster came when my sister picked up the cake to put in the oven. The pan's removable bottom came out and batter spilled all over her and the floor. After quickly cleaning up/eating batter off the pan and spoons, we decided we had enough ingredients to make another cake. So we did and while it was baking, I opened presents. I got a new Swatch band because mine was broken and a bike rack for my new road bike. But best of all, my mom found Toobers and Zots. I used to play with the foam toys when I was five or six but they were given away in one of our family's purging efforts. I was sure no one sold them anymore but my mom found them and I had absolutely no idea. My dad got a picture of me opening them and the look on my face is priceless. Soon, the cake was done and by 11 PM, we were eating birthday cake.
       Tonight I am going to see Lion King in 3D with my family and my best friend after we eat at Maudie's, one of my favorite restaurants and tomorrow night I have birthday dinner at my grandparents' house. I can't wait to see them because they have been working at a college in Africa since June. They made sure to be home for my 18th birthday, which means a lot to me. It also doesn't hurt that my grandmother is an outstanding cook. : )
     Sunday afternoon some friends are coming to hang out in honor of my birthday and that night, I am going to see the Avett Brothers, one of my favorite bands. We were supposed to see them at the Old Settler's Music Festival in the Spring but the show was rescheduled to this week. It just so happens to be the weekend after my 18th birthday.
    One last exciting tidbit: by tonight, I will have ALL of my college applications submitted!