December 17th

To watch Juniper dance and sing along to Frozen (she, like every other girl perhaps, knows all the words, except, well, she just turned two), is to know that this girl is her own special!

And today is her day. Her celebration. Happy birthday to Juniper! -- she'll say. Then, out of fairness and love -- happy birthday to mommy!

All this comes later. The morning starts for me in the room of a nearby hotel. I look outside... December is giving us a mixed bag alright. All but the snow.

An errand first: I walk over to Mindy's bakery. No good photo from there, but trust me, it's for the croissants and they are great. My breakfast treat!

(along the way)

From there -- to my daughter's home. Here's the birthday girl, getting ready for a family celebration.

But first, a Frozen moment. And a swirl and spin with mommy.

The lunch party begins!

Others took photos of the meal, I put my camera down for a while. As soon as everyone there (other grandparents, visiting friend, the family, myself) had their fill, we settled in to watch her deal with grandparent presents.

Four of my five grandchildren love to dress up. She is definitely one of them and today she got a chef's outfit, which she wore for a long, long time.

Another gift? A kitchen sink. Apparently the thing spews water (to the delight of parents, I'm sure), but Juniper loved it even in its dry state.  In fact, we could hardly get her back to the table for the cake.

Okay, one more toy before the song...

Such a patient older sister!

Cake is ready (baked this morning by my daughter: honey, with whipped cream).

Happy birthday to you... (Crown designed and made by Primrose)

... happy birthday, dear Juniper, happy birthday to you!

Just a couple more presents... Hey, what dumb person would give her that irritating Elmo phone? What? Me? I must have an evil streak within, especially after having had to put up with those awful sing-song kid phones for years at the farmhouse! But, but... she loves Elmo!

The celebration ends. She definitely needs an afternoon nap and I have to hit the road so that I can get home before the night sets in.

Driving back, I put on my December playlist, climb into my trance, and set the cruise on 75. Two hours of the interstate and I am at the farmette. 

I'm almost too full -- of good foods, of happy smiles, of laughing last night, this morning, of fantastic images. And the songs from my playlist swirl in my head and I'm thinking -- what a good set of days we've been having!

(swirling in my head, from the Muppets Christmas Carol -- in case you haven't seen that wonderful child friendly adaptation, the song is from the immortalized Dickens scene with Tiny Tim, celebrating life as he knows it, with family -- joyously...)

(Tiny Tim) Life is full of sweet surpises

Everyday's a gift

The sun comes up and i can feel it lift my spirit

Fills me up with laughter, fills me up with song

I look into the eyes of love and know that i belong

Bless us all, who gather here

(Piggy) The loving family i hold dear

(Kermit) No place on earth, compares with home

And every path will bring me back from where i rome

(All)Bless us all, that as we live

We always comfort and forgive

We have so much, that we can share

(Tiny Tim) With those in need we see around us everywhere

(Tiny Tim & Piggy) 

Let us always love each other 

Lead us to the light

Let us hear the voice of reason, singing in the night

(Kermit & Piggy) 

Let us run from anger and catch us when we fall

(Tim) Teach us in our dreams and please, yes please

(All) Bless us one and all 

(Tim)Bless us all with playful years 

With noisy games and joyful tears

(All) We reach for you and we stand tall 

(Kermit) And in our prayers and dreams

We ask you bless us all

(Tim) We reach for you and we stand tall 

And in our prayers and dreams we ask you 

Bless us all...