Jen and AnnaJen,

It’s wild that you are turning 40! It seems like just yesterday that you pinned me down until I convincingly shouted You’re King! Sometimes, even Kings appreciate being reminded of their accomplishments ~ here are 40 of yours to celebrate each year of your life.

1. Chose Barbara and Ken as parents

2. Learned to swim as a baby

3. Became a big sister

4. Taught Anna to sing "Annie" songs

5. And to pike-up!

6. Won many gymnastics medals

7. Graduated grammar school

8. Graduated junior high school

9. Graduated Hebrew school

10. Learned a Haftorah and had a bat mitzvah

11. Learned to drive (well)

12. Learned to sing "Some Kind of Wonderful" soundtrack perfectly

13. Won many tennis matches

14. Won many soccer games

15. Starred in Mame, as Maaa-ame

16. Created unusual fashion statement for prom (and wore it gracefully)

17. Graduated high school

18. Biked around France

19. Graduated college

20. Moved fearlessly to a new city

21. Worked successfully in communications in various shapes and forms 

22. Lived in Adams Morgan before it was cool (or safe!)

23. Kept a straight face each time meeting with Alec Baldwin

24. Lived through a thousand car break-ins in DC

25. Married a wonderful man

26. Moved again to a new city

27. Started own business

28. Gave birth to Ruby

29. Met Stephen Colbert

30. Gave birth to Ben

31. Became a rock-star biker

32. Learned to knit (a scarf!)

33. Became a tri-athlete

34. Moved back to home town (brave one!)

35. Learned to harmonize with two back seat singers

36. Grew less gray hair than Anna

37. Mastered Facebook

38. Took it in stride when Ruby dressed Ben up like a fairy princess

39. Sweats ten gallons of water in yoga class

40. Doesn't look a day over 39

May you continue to make strides on the inside and out, live with love in your heart and  laughter in your soul, good health in your body, peace in your mind, and of course happiness in each of your days for the next unfolding 40 +.

Happy Birthday Big Sister! I love you with last licks always. 

Anna