Where usually we have the weekends to ourselves puttering, relaxing, and, oh yes, catching up on the crushing workload of teaching, today we had not one, but two, social engagements. Coincidentally? They both involved children between the ages of three and twelve months.
We started at 11:30 at an Alice in One-derland themed birthday party for one of our favorite little girls. The sun shined through the windows of the airy community center party room as the 40 or so guests gathered to feast on cupcakes and tea sandwiches. Most of us were adults, family and friends there equally to wish the birthday girl well and to congratulate her mom and dad on making it through their first year as parents.
After the cake was cut and we had played a couple of rounds of Giant Jenga with 4-year-old Jenga Genius named Nell, it was time to dash home and prepare our own tea sandwiches for another get-together. This time the group was my brother and sister-in-law and our cousin and her husband in town from Charlotte with their three-month-old daughter, Mary Grace.
We all took turns dandling the baby, and rocking her, and feeding her when she fussed, waiting for her elusive smile. It was nice to catch up with her folks, but really we were all about the kid. The sun had set and a full moon rose in the warmish March night as we headed home, a little sour milk on our sleeves but a sweetness about us, as well.
You had me at Giant Jenga. Lucky birthday girls, but lucky you!
ReplyDeleteThis is so sweet, especially the sour part!
ReplyDeleteYour day sounded busy, fun, and beautiful. How wonderful it is to be surrounded by special people.
ReplyDeleteMary Grace. With a name like that she's destined for many wonderful things!
ReplyDelete