Brandon, also know as, El Birthday Planner Extraordinaire, has done it once again. Yes, this year he made my birthday celebration an evening to remember by bringing the day spa experience into the very walls of our own home. He, along with his 3 "male beauticians", if you will, worked their magic and the "salon" was worth every star of its recently acquired 5-star rating. Not only was this a total surprise, which I have informed both Eli and Brandon, that I am not easily surprised, I seem to have expectations for surprises....Maybe because when I was growing up, GG (my Mom) always made my birthdays "surprise"-themed, from surprise parties at McDonald's or the 49th Street Galleria to the male, singing telegram, high-top wearing ballerina (10th birthday) or the balloon bearing, birthday sign carrying gorilla telling everyone at 'good old Jordan High' to wish me a Happy 16th Birthday...(long interlude) but this "Fabrizio" Day Spa experience was a heavenly, relaxing, very well thought out production that will bring a smile to my day when the boys are doing their "boy things" and I am feeling "outnumbered" and longing for female companinship in my house of 4 boys. Maybe I can convince them to paint my nails instead of wrestling, playing GameCube, or watching "the game? I doubt it, but it doesn't hurt to ask, right!
I walked in the house after running a quick errand and Eli greeted me at the door with a European accent, "Hello Miss, your tub is ready, it is reserved for one hour", as he's walking me upstairs and the scent of lavender and vanilla is luring me in and relaxing me instantly. I get to my bathroom and yes, the bathtub is full with hot water still running softly and bubbles, not quite overflowing. At this point I am surprised and so impressed by this thoughtful gesture (El Extraordinaire knows how much I love a hot bubble bath, reserved for one hour with no interruptions nonetheless), I'm grinning from ear to ear. The bathroom counter is free from clutter, my bath towel is folded and waiting on the ledge of the tub and my favorite, soft, cozy bathrobe is hanging nearby so I will know to adorn it after my soak, (Is that TMI? I just was loving all the last details and want to keep the record accuately) Jack Johnson is playing in the background to take my thoughts to quiet beaches, and, on our full-length mirrors is a loving Happy Birthday message in dry erase marker from El Extraordinare. Oh, and don't forget the ice water to drink and cookies to snack on if needed. So, I don't know that I actually soaked for a full hour, but I definitely took my time.
After I was well relaxed and the soak seemed very sufficient, I was instructed on a note to "Ring downstairs when finished". I was treated to a massage by Brandon, the Massage Therapist (who knew he had such a skill). Even though there were 3 little boys in the house, somehow they were distracted and patient and kept the atmosphere peaceful throughout the soak and massage. Now that I am completely relaxed, Brandon says I may want to say a prayer before the final salon services, the Pedicure and Manicure, for this is what the boys have been waiting to take part in. Eli starts with my manicure and does just fine, considering he has never filed or painted his own nails, let alone a girl's. He was very professional and got the hang of how to paint without getting it on my fingers or dripping too much.
Brandon does my pedicure, worrying that Easton and Braxton will never be able to do the painting. He realizes he is out of practice and the task is more difficult than he remembers, as it has been about 10 years ago, when I was pregnant with Eli, that he last performed this service. Easton and Braxton come bouncing to me ready to take their turn and Eli helps them paint the "top-coat" on my fingernails. They proceed to rub my hands with lotion to feel like they are a part of the pampering, and it's just enough for them to do just that.
To top off the salon treatment, Brandon made homemade lasagne for dinner which was very yummy and we enjoyed a delectable Black and White Cheesecake from the Sam's Club bakery for dessert. Wow, 32 is starting out absolutely magnificently! I love you, Brand! I love you, Eli, Easton, and Braxton! I hope to visit Salon de Cuatro Hijos again one day!
