What a lovely day was had at our home today. It was indeed Amelia's one year birthday, and she began it in fine style by sleeping late. Our older daughter, of course, woke us early, because apparently there weren't enough toys in her bedroom to occupy her imagination, not enough books, puzzles, games, paper, and nor was the guinea pig chatty enough. No, Mom and Dad needed to be woken. The baby slept, though, which gave us a chance to bake some corn bread, since we'd decided to make her a breakfast birthday party. Just our family. The traditional birthday hat. Some great presents and the all important shiny bows to play with. All that, three loving family members, and a piece of cornbread with a candle in it.
After all, morning is her good time.
That was that. I call it the best birthday ever. We had a mellow day. No muss, no fuss. A walk in this continuing glorious weather, nice enough so that the neighbors are out and you can walk from block to block sure to run into someone you know who wants to chat. Lots of time to reflect on this crazy busy and also mellow year, on this new life with an eight year old and a baby, on the ups and downs, the illness, the love, the frustration, the good work done, the feelings of life working well, and life not working at all; all of it, a good day. I've emerged from two weeks of computer hell with a newly working machine, and all the technology upgrades I needed to upload the video clips of Amelia's year. I was able to really see her changes, and was shocked, actually, to see the how she really was a chubby healthy baby at four months, and a sick and skinny one at six, and then, happily, to see her look so much healthier as the summer wore on. Thank goodness she's okay.
In the late afternoon the girls' grandparents came over, and their aunt L, laden with presents and good cheer, and they brightened up the end of our good day.
Best of all, Amelia had a wonderful time. She loves her new caterpillar rocker. She's figured out that a special wrapped something has an interesting thing inside, whereas she'd never before been aware of the idea of a present. She pulled herself along the outside of her crib, cruising a foot or two.
After all, morning is her good time.
That was that. I call it the best birthday ever. We had a mellow day. No muss, no fuss. A walk in this continuing glorious weather, nice enough so that the neighbors are out and you can walk from block to block sure to run into someone you know who wants to chat. Lots of time to reflect on this crazy busy and also mellow year, on this new life with an eight year old and a baby, on the ups and downs, the illness, the love, the frustration, the good work done, the feelings of life working well, and life not working at all; all of it, a good day. I've emerged from two weeks of computer hell with a newly working machine, and all the technology upgrades I needed to upload the video clips of Amelia's year. I was able to really see her changes, and was shocked, actually, to see the how she really was a chubby healthy baby at four months, and a sick and skinny one at six, and then, happily, to see her look so much healthier as the summer wore on. Thank goodness she's okay.
In the late afternoon the girls' grandparents came over, and their aunt L, laden with presents and good cheer, and they brightened up the end of our good day.
Best of all, Amelia had a wonderful time. She loves her new caterpillar rocker. She's figured out that a special wrapped something has an interesting thing inside, whereas she'd never before been aware of the idea of a present. She pulled herself along the outside of her crib, cruising a foot or two.