Momma's birthday weekend

Since Ava's party took up most of my time, I didn't get a chance to blog about my wonderful birthday weekend! As most of you know, my birthday falls around Columbus day weekend. I took Monday off and made it a loooong weekend.

Vic & I enjoyed a delicious dinner at the Gaslight Brasserie in Boston while Grandma & Grandpa watched Miss Ava for the night. It was fun to dress up and finally have a date night with my husband. Dinner was delicious from beginning to end. We enjoyed Le Maryeur Paris (a raw platter) which included oysters, little necks, shrimp and blue crab cocktail. Next I enjoyed a great french onion soup while Vic had fried artichokes in a spicy aioli sauce - yum! For our meals, we both enjoyed the typical french meal of steak frites served with a creamy bearnaise sauce with fries. It was delicious! Of course no meal is complete without dessert. I had an apple & carmel cake drizzled with cider maple sauce while Vic had the molten chocolate cake. Both were decadent and the perfect ending to a wonderful night out. Below are photos of everything we ate! Can you tell we don't get out much?

 Raw Seafood Platter

French Onion Soup

Fried Artichokes

Steak Frites

Apple & Carmel Cake

 Molten Chocolate Cake

My birthday continued into Sunday when we visited the Southwick Zoo. I had been wanting to go to this zoo since last year. Vic wasn't too enthusiastic about going to yet another zoo but luckily he came around and decided to appease me by going. I knew Ava would love it because she shares my love for animals too. This zoo was by far the best one I have been to around here. It is a hike to get to, about an hour drive for us and in the middle of no where. However it was worth it! Some of the highlights included feeding the goats and the deer. It was so amazing to have these animals walking freely around us looking for food. I'm not sure who had more fun, myself or Ava? Here are some pictures from our day.

Loved these little piggies, so cute!!

 These goats has me cracking up as them climbed up my leg for food!

Amazing to have the dear walking around us in the forest, never seen anything like it!

These tigers were so loud, vocal and could be heard from a good distance away

Ava with Daddy

My mother in law made these special "hostess" cupcakes along with my favorite french toast for my birthday.

My friend Jackie made these beautiful and delicious pumpkin cupcakes w/ cream cheese frosting!

Love my sweets!!

My weekend didn't end on Sunday. On Monday I took the day off and enjoyed some girl time with my dear friend Karen for lunch and shopping at the outlets. Then Mom & Dad made a delicious meal for dinner. Have an excellent birthday weekend with my family and friends. Thanks to all who made me feel special and loved!