Proud Owners of a One Year Old
The day has finally come that we can refer to Lux's age in years (well, year) rather than in months. A milestone, to say the least. It is funny, but thinking back to a year ago I don't believe we could even imagine what Lux would be like at this time, and yet it seems there were bits of her personality evident from the very start. From the beginning she was willful and determined, yet happy and even silly. She is still willful and determined and happy and silly. We can see her frustration as what she wants is just out of her reach, literally or figuratively, but she is just as likely to be laughing as she is to be voicing her frustration. Unless her father goes down to the basement, that is. She really hates that.Leading up to the big birthday was the Fourth of July. We decided that going to the Mall (the national mall, that is, the one with all the monuments, not one with chain stores) was a bad idea. Hot weather, metal detectors, crowds and hours upon hours of waiting for fireworks that wouldn't begin until after Lux's pumpkin time just didn't sound appealling. Instead we planned on attending the neighborhood parade (think fire engines and children riding their decorated bicycles) then having a family cookout. The parade starts at 10 am so we rousted Karen (by phone) and Lux, grabbed our folding chairs and coffees and headed down the street. Only to find that the powers that be had decided to celebrate the Fourth of July on the fifth of July.
Feeling foolish for not having noticed that information on the parade signage we changed our plans and filled the back of the Jeep with playbox sand to fill Lux's new sandbox, and early birthday present from Granddad Dan. We managed to fill the box just in time for the skies to open and it rained off and on all day long. Fortunately there were enough breaks in the weather to allow us to barbecue and to set off a few firecrackers. Unfortunately, Lux was not a big fan of the flash/bang firecrackers.
We could have gone through the whole thing again the next day, but feeling irked we gave the parade a pass on the fifth and let Lux enjoy her nap. Maybe next year, when she will be old enough to decorate her own bike.
Lux's birthday fell on Wednesday, and she started the day by playing with her new school bus. For lunch she got to have her favorite meal - macaroni and cheese (I can't believe I ever gave that to her) and by that evening Nana Jane had arrived from San Diego to help celebrate. Her birthday cake was strawberry shortcake, since Lux thankfully still prefers fruit to cake. Nana Jane gave Lux some great gifts and Lux went to bed a happy girl.
Grandma Paula and Grandpa John came to town a few days later and we all worked to get the house and yard in shape for Lux's big party on Sunday. It seemed hopeless, and we were crazy making tea sandwiches just minutes before our guests arrived, but we managed to pull it all together. Lux's party was great, all her friends were able to make it and many of ours helped her celebrate as well. Paul made his famous lavender ice cream for the party and Lux smeared cake just as she was supposed to, but in a unique twist on tradition she smeared it on her mother instead of herself. Our doula and birth class instructor Beth made a surprise appearance just before Lux retired for her nap and she brought with her some great photos she had taken at Lux's birth. A good time was had by all and Paul got to whack the pinata to pieces, but we never did manage to get around to firing up Lux's karaoke machine.
Lux received many lovely gifts (thank you notes are pending) and we are now considering adding a wing to our house to store her things. Once all the hoopla had passed Lux enjoyed spending quality time with Nana Jane, Grandma Paula and Grandpa John. Paul and Susan enjoyed an evening out to a restaurant that doesn't have high chairs.
Next up, a visit from Granddad Dan and Noonie.
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