birthday bash

This day marks my final attendance at a birthday party for a one year old! Of course, you never really know. Unexpected babies pop out all over the place. Best guess though -- this is the last time I'll watch with utter contentment as a babe plunges freely into a piece of a first birthday cake.

It's almost always better here, on Ocean, to hand over the stage to the main players on a day like this one, so I will hold back the words and rely on photos to tell the story of how it all unfolded.

1. Breakfast: I come up just us oatmeal is being served. 

I cut up the fruits for us all and join them at the table.

2. The Cake: this was a long process! My daughter had already made the cranberry jam and the sugar coated berries. Last night, actually late into the night, she baked the cake. This morning she is making the frosting and putting the whole thing together. Primrose helps.

The dad helps as well.

Done!

3. Getting everything and everyone ready: we make a paper chain to decorate the room. And now the kids get dressed. As it's a special occasion, I share my lip gloss with Primrose. Can you tell? No? Okay, I'll use more next time!

Juniper, the birthday girl, wakes from her nap and also gets ready. No lip gloss for her. Just a crown!

(Happiness is... owlie.)

4. Grandparents arrive (and, too, an uncle an aunt).

5. Lunch: the savory part.

6. The gifts: first, a card from big sister.

A musical llama from me. Juniper is so musical that she will sway rhythmically to her own banging on the xylophone.

Wait, do I see more presents? Yeah!

You know she is getting tired when she clings to a purple box and looks with glazed eyes at all of us.

7. Lunch: the sweet part. The cake: finally, to be enjoyed. The song, the candle -- just one!

No no! Can't touch!

Mesmerized.

Help blowing it out.

The younger family.

Eating it! Loving it! Being amused by it all!

And there you have it! A beautiful celebration of Juniper, the youngest little one in my pack of grandchildren. Pulled off grandly by her dedicated and joyous parents, and her friend for life -- her big sister Primrose.

I drive home soon after. I want to get back before dusk. Blasting Christmas music, losing myself in thoughts of this month of festivities and foods and love, so much love -- I get home in no time.

Hello, snow-covered trees.

Hello farmhouse. Hi Ed...

Let me tell you about my weekend in Chicago...

With so much love...