The First Year

We celebrated Little Tornado's (grand son #9) birthday last night.  Today marks his entrance into this world one year ago.  I will not forget the day he was born.  Mom and Dad knew the exact day he was coming because mom was scheduled for a C-section.  Well... that gave the whole family time to plan... to make sure nothing else filled our calendars on that day.  As you might imagine, the hospital room was not a place for mom and baby to rest, but more of a gathering spot for excited family.  It was good.  And Little Tornado has never known anything less than being surrounded by people who love him.

Yaya had the table set and the cake decorated and the party planned.  When Little Tornado arrived he was taken by the bright colors and all he could do was oooh.  He looked and reached out to touch, drew his hand back and said, "Mmm-oooh, mmm-oooh, mmm-oooh.




It is tradition in our house that on the first birthday the entire cake is placed before the birthday person.  Little Tornado was surprised when the cake he had wanted to touch earlier ended up on his high chair tray. He began by plucking off a small decorative clown and when no one shouted, "no,no,"  he became a bit more bold until... well I'll simply let you see for yourselves.

I'll just take this little happy little guy

Where else can I rest my hand?

Hum, this feels soft.. and gooshy

Hey, this fire stick looks fun

Wow, I'm startin' to gather a crowd

The cake was great but this truck is YUMMY

Okay, I'm over this

There was not much left to do with Little Tornado but throw him in the bath and take the high chair outside to be hosed off.

Even the toy truck got a good scrubbing

With nine grand children (soon to be 10---very soon) we have lots of occasions to celebrate and a whole lot of parties to attend.  It's a good thing Bluebird and I like to plan parties.  In fact I am getting pretty darn good at churning out the birthday cakes.  Year-old cakes are the easiest -- just add lots of bright colors and soft decorations to be touched and you have a winner.

Presents are a fun part of the celebration, but like most one-year-olds they do not receive as much attention as the wrapping.  But no wrapping was needed for the gift Little Tornado got from his cousins.  He spent most of the rest of the evening opening and shutting its doors while hopping in and out of its seat.



Little Tornado is an live wire.  He runs instead of walks and he runs on the tips of his toes.  It's as if it might slow him down to place his entire foot on the floor, so he doesn't. 

After a day of chasing a tornadoes, one is exhausted.  

And so it is with parties.  After all the fun is played out, it is time to go to bed.

Dad, clearly more ready to say good night than Little Tornado, says it's time to go home.











Kids are collected, toys put away, dishes done, shoes tied and away they all go.

The cake is great, the decorations are special and the presents a thoughtful gesture toward the one being celebrated.  But the true joy is simply in being together.








I hope you find a moment this day to be with the ones you love.  You may have a special occasion to celebrate and you may not.  But I'm realizing more and more that every moment is worth celebration, especially when you are fortunate enough to have people in your life than you can call family.   Party On!