birthday queen

The birthday recount wouldn't be complete with a few hallmark moments from the big day, pre taco party. I've always been a fool for birthdays and trying to make every moment count on a loved one's special day is of utmost importance to me. Now all of a sudden you are trying to play birthday fairy to someone who you love more than anyone, absolutely, ever, and the stakes are real high. Pressure's on. So of course she delighted in her favorite purple dinosaur, without even having to ask. While sweet Avi and up-in-his-stuff Elie zoned out to all Barney's best jams, Melissa and I got down and dirty in the kitchen, using those few precious child free moments to get stuff done.


When the Barney mystique wore off, we headed outside to open presents. Ms. Chris bought Eliana that gorgeous fairy cape and wand, which went perfectly with the bedazzled "pocketbook" (as Elie coined it) from her Gran, from the Neta's a rockin' art kit and from mama a wooden ABC magnet set for the fridge. Eliana kinda started to get the package ripping open concept and certainly delighted in every generous gift (with a few extra, "MY cape, MY ABC's...") thrown in for good measure. (She kinda started the day in birthday diva mode. We worked through it...)


We then met Casey and Moans at the swimming hole for more birthday love. Elie stripped down fast and worked out all sorts of fancy log climbing moves, which made her daddy all beamy with pride. She and her girl shared some special birthday hugs and kisses, especially after Eliana opened up the beauteous little picture purse with two little shots of the girls, one at two weeks old, the other at almost two. Oh how their love affair brings me nothing but the fullest, giggliest heart!


Tangent...the reason I have copious amounts of time to record this afternoon is because Eliana has been asleep now for almost five hours. And it's 100 degrees out. And I'm exhausted but not enough to completely close my eyes. So I'll continue to ramble on because I'm sure one day I'll appreciate all the silly details.

Oh, and further tangent, the reason she is so exhausted and subsequently taking this insane nap is because:

a) We went on our wacky Glacier getaway last weekend and she didn't really nap much for a few days, cuz she was too busy partying with her parents.

b) Our lovely friends Melissa and Leeor arrived after much heartfelt travel in the middle of the night on Tuesday and stayed through Friday, and so she's had extra excitement with house guests and all. Extra park/carousel/bike/play time with seventeen month old Avi added to the revelry.

c) There were like way too many of her posse members naked and eating carrot cake here on Thursday and she stayed up til almost midnight being goofy.

d -- and hugest of all --) She had her first slumber party last night with Moana! And they actually slept in the same room, Moans in her big girl bed, and Els in her crib and somehow they made it through the night.


Homegirl is recovering...


And somehow I've tangent-ed my way out of this post. It was a full, full day, riding on a full, full week, followed by a full, full Friday because last night was our real anniversary and we went out on a real date with our friends (while the chickens partied with the babysitter). And that has got to be a new post or I'll have completely lost all semblance of organization.


Life is full and lovely and silly and beautiful and we're certainly in full appreciation mode.