The Balloons Are Still Reaching for the Ceiling

Yesterday, Abigail turned 7 years old and had her little girl birthday party which included 3 neighborhood friends and 3 school friends. You could have heard a pin drop as the girls arrived one-by-one, handed their gifts to Abigail and proceeded to either look around, have a flower painted on their face, or draw on their flower pot with chalk. The sun was shining which made the coolish air seem warmer and helped with the outdoor games and activities I had planned. Who would have believed that we had had hail and a tornado warning in surrounding areas just 2 days prior. This is the month for it, as Abigail herself was born in a hospital that was operating on a generator due to the tornado that ran through it about a half hour before we were instructed to come in to deliver her. Abigail handled the excitement so well. As she opened her presents like a locomotive hurrying through the countryside, she had her good friend Kaitlin sit beside her. It's interesting watching these first grade girls interacting and learning by experience, trial and error, what friendship is really all about. Some of us reach adult hood and still haven't figured it out. These girls were doing just fine and they were all so sweet. Elliott had it made with his own "personal caretaker" seeing that he didn't fall through the cracks or get left behind. Rachel (almost 11), one of the birthday attendant's older sisters, accompanied Elliott throughout the party, helping him plant his flower, directing and assisting him into the house when he got a gooey mixture of lollipop and bubble's all over his hands. He didn't whine or cry once; he had a grin upon his face the whole time. As he lay his head down to sleep (much later than usual) he asked if Rachel could come play with him again. Given their age difference I didn't want to burst his bubble and tell him that we'd probably have to pay her for that. I think he has a 4 year old crush on her and I don't blame him since she has the demeanor of Beth from LITTLE WOMEN. All in all it just helped the party go that much better. One of the Mom's stayed, which was a help, and my Mom (actually my Mother-in-Law, so you don't go thinking I actually saw my real Mom out of the blue!) helped keep a record of who gave what to Abigail as I finished up painting faces for the girls who didn't get it done at the beginning of the party. Now I survey my home the morning after. it is only slightly quieter when those little girls walked curiously through the door wondering what was in store for them. And although the party store informed me that the laytex balloons may only float for approximately 6 hours, they are still reaching for the ceiling almost 24 hours later. It was a good day. Abigail said, "thank you for my party, Mommy". I didn't need the thank you; though, as a parent, I do encourage politeness, and an unsolicited one is the best one because it comes straight from the heart. Happy birthday one last time, Abigail! I'm glad you liked your chocolate cake, your flowers, and your party =-)