Back in January we hosted a birthday party for madame.

This year’s theme was Beatrix Potter. Everyone wore masks of different Potter characters, and we had tea, sandwiches, scones and cakes for the party.

We played with some of her new presents…

and had a rousing game of impromptu ‘balloon ball’ too!

“You shall not ever escape. I will catch you. I’m the best!”
— The Kid, as she chases a fly with a babywipe

Yesterday we all gathered at Gma Vita’s place…

…to celebrate her birthday. (View more pics.)

The kid is a little too young to play horeshoes right now, so she enjoyed the first few rounds as a spectator and cheerleader…

…until deciding she’d be of better use as a scorekeeper. She hurriedly grabbed crayon and paper and retired to her “scorekeeper booth” where she could better observe and record each game.

At irregular intervals throughout the games, the little scorekeeper would flash her score to the participants…

…using drawings of our dearly departed wubie and x’s as her “scores”. I think a wubie drawing represented a ‘hit’ while an x signified a ‘miss’ (or vice versa).

“I’m too excited about the princess party to sleep, Mommy!”
— The Kid

Here are some pics from yesterday’s gathering at Gma Vita’s place.

“Mommy, where’s my goggles?” – Lucy preparing to cook

The youngest member and I were invited to a party at Filoli, an after hours stroll for members.

Madame handled her first garden party with aplomb. She enjoyed the hors d’oeuvres, particularly the crackers.

She waited patiently to go in the house,  listening to the barbershop quartet.

She was excited to go upstairs (usually not allowed, but open on this special occasion) and see the rooms up there.

In the ballroom she entertained the guests with some impromptu ballet to accompany the piano player.

She enjoyed herself so much, she didn’t want to leave…even when her tuckered mom was ready to go.

First up, the 4 year old portion…princess themed, with castle, knights, and princesses. (She said she and I could be the valiant knights, and Auntie Laura could be the princess.) There were cupcakes for all, and a crown each for Grandpa and Lucy.

After the cupcakes, piles of presents (she says her favorite present was her new scissors), and dancing portion, we went out to dinner for the grown up portion with Gpa’s longtime friends.

We had a great meal, good company, and madame managed to make it through the long meal by getting Grandma to rub her feet.

After dinner we had a coconut cake chez Gma & Gpa, and presents for Grandpa. A wonderful time was had by all!

the map…and some treasure…

essential pirate gear…hat, eye patch, and cardboard sword…

ye olde pirate cupcakes…some were stolen treasure before the party started!

“Let’s do it again, she said.”
— Lucy acting as her own narrator

Birthday Party from Mike C on Vimeo.

Last month we brought Lucy to a really fun birthday party. There were lots of kids, a bouncy house, balloons, toys, a piñata, and cupcakes. Needless to say, the whole experience got a hearty thumbs up from the kid. This is a video from the party.

Madame also enjoyed playing with the birthday girl’s toys….

But kept going back to the bouncy house….she even convinced her daddy to bounce!

They were crafts…a pinata…loads of balloons…cupcakes…phew!

It was a great party, and we stayed til the very end. Just as we were about to leave, she got in one last bounce!

Auntie’s birthday was this week, and Lucy and I had a little party with her on the day (bigger party to come.)

We painted plates, had cake, and played in the garden. It was a lovely day.

Oh, and Lucy sang her the birthday song. Happy Birthday Auntie!

A Birthday Party from Mike C on Vimeo.

Gpa Tom came to visit yesterday. We then all went to a birthday party for some friends in Morgan Hill. It was their son’s very first birthday, a very notable occasion.

Lucy was very excited, especially when she saw the park, grass, balloons, and all the people. She even got a lady bug (her favorite kind!) painted on her arm. The bug looked great (until Lucy rubbed her eye, smearing her ladybug and making herself look like an extra from A Clockwork Orange in the same motion).

Camera Used: Creative Vado HD. Soundtrack:

• “Corrine Corrina’” from Country Music’s Two Guitar Greats and “Free Little Bird” from Country Guitar Thunder by Merle Travis and Joe Maphis