Some Girls Prefer Carnations: Happy Birthday, Azalea!

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Happy Birthday, Azalea!

My big girl turned four years old yesterday. Weeks ago when I asked her what she wanted to do for her birthday, she said she wanted a party at Grandpa Russ's house. Well, there's already going to be a party at Grandpa Russ's house this month (Halloween weekend, costume party, you should come), so I asked her to make a second choice. She chose bowling. I must say, this was a Working Mom's dream come true to not have to clean the house or cook a meal. Make a reservation, send invitations, bake a cake, DONE.

We collected the lightest balls in the alley, but they were still quite heavy for 2-4 year-olds. We therefore borrowed the ramps that enable folks in wheelchairs to participate in the joy that is Bowling. The only challenge was keeping Nori from trying to use them as a slide.

Azalea got a spare on her first roll. I'm not sure if the photo below is of her spare, but note that her feet have left the ground in celebration of pins knocking over.

For weeks I had been asking her what she wanted for her birthday, and all she wanted was chocolate cake with chocolate chips and M&M's on top. So that's what we got for her. In fact, she and Eleanor helped me make the cake the night before, so I suppose it's like she made that present for herself. Her delight was boundless.

The kids were bouncing off the walls before the cake. With the cake consumption came a few peaceful moments. Then the kids were bouncing off the walls again. Present opening, however, was a sober affair. Everyone was curious, attentive, perhaps even critical.

Now that our bowling, eating, and opening was complete, it was time to take that bouncing to the house. The bouncy house, that is. Our local bowling alley has a free bouncy house in the back, and it was a great way to cap off the party.

Thanks to Nadia's mom, Akiko, for the wonderful pictures. Thanks to everyone for a great party.

Azalea, you are a wonderful daughter. So clever, so silly, so sweet. I hope you had a great birthday!

Love, Mom.

3 comments:

Aunt MallaryOctober 7, 2011 at 10:56 PM
Sounds like a wonderful party! Sorry we are a little late in mailing Zallyzoo's present. It will be there soon! Happy belated to Azalea Molly! Seems like yesterday we entered a hospital room in Madison to meet a beautiful, big baby with an amazing shock of red hair.
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LoriOctober 9, 2011 at 9:01 PM
I keep going back and forth on my feelings on Miss A growing up. She's becoming such an interesting and self-aware little girl, but I do miss that baby. Time is the current that moves us all to new places - it's an honor to watch her grow, and all the rest of us with her. XXOOXX
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NormOctober 18, 2011 at 4:29 PM
Ahh! Cuteness-bomb.
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Thursday, October 6, 2011

Happy Birthday, Azalea!

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