ay through Monday I'll be with these two rascals:
I wanted a picture with all three girls, which KT graciously agreed to take...especially embarrassing after I wondered aloud where I could sit it to use the timer when there were 4 other adults in the room. KT graciously didn't point this out to me but let me arrive there in my own time. The great part, Toonie (short for Petunia) ended up in the photo with us! Just after the photo, Essie whispered in my ear, "Aunt Holley, your tummy feels like a bean bag."
What I wanted to say - "and it looks like one too"
What I actually said - "That's because I carry my love for everybody around with me instead of leaving some of it at home"
With a sage nod, she scampered off to cause mischief.
The ravaged paper, the ravaged cake, the ravaged pizza! This all equals a fun birthday party in my book!
and the grand finale:
After the pizza, cake, and presents, the girls were bundled off for baths and then we all sat around and talked over a wonder My Little Ponies video. There was much huffing and puffing on E's part since we were laughing and joking quite loudly. P-toes manage to get both legs in one leg of her new Tinkerbell pj's (all three girls got a matching set). She looked kinda like Vanna White back in the day, except with a pant leg trailing behind her like Barney's tail. Alas, she had no balance and teetered precariously but Auntie got her straightened out. Essie spun around in a office chair until she got dizzy and fell off, waited a few minutes and did it all again. KT's husband D was petting Toonie in his lap but she got into a little-dog-smackdown with Noodle and one of the girls said, "Daddy, you started a dog fight!" Couldn't you just hear that story later on, "It was my birthday, I got presents and we ate cake then Daddy started a dog fight!" It would have been funny for me, no so much for D.
The evening ended too soon, as all good times must. It was past the girls bed time and I had a long drive back home as well. I bundled myself in my car as KT and D got the girls buckled into their minivan and the party was officially done. I would have been sad except for the fact that there'll be a GiAnT PaRtAy for both girls on Saturday complete with water slide, water sprinkler and various lawn games. I'll miss a good bit of it as I have to work but KT has promised to save a blue cheese burger for me.
Now it's past my bedtime too, night ya'll!
-------- was born May 24, 1999. His life was short but well-lived. He was delighted in and cherished. His talents, intelligence, faith, and imagination were nurtured. He loved his extended family and big family gatherings. The church was a big part of his life. He knew the consolation of true friendship and was a loyal, loving friend. He conquered what many fear most—public performance—and was an enthusiastic pianist. He accompanied his parents to music festivals, concerts, plays, and traveled in the U.S. and around the world. He dreamed of being an engineer and inventor. He loved Star Wars, Harry Potter, Lego and monkeys. He loved to read, and when he no longer had the energy to read, often asked to be read to. We shared a rich and happy, interesting and adventurous nine years. In the end, when he was put through a trial that no one should have to endure, his true nature was revealed to be even more gracious, courageous, and faithful than we had known.From diagnosis to death, that little boy had 3 weeks. Get outside your house, enjoy the sunshine or the rain or Tropical Storm Fay or a hummingbird or the smell of freshly mown grass. Do something and thank someone, anyone (whatever your religious/spiritual flavor), for your healthy time here. I don't have a case of the Mondays, I didn't yesterday, I was just a person who'd lost their perspective.
