August 6, 2009

• Birthday Pics

  I got the pictures of yesterday's blow out party!  I managed to accomplish all that I set out to do.  I DID have to rest in between tasks, but I was glad I got it all done and Luci was happy with the results and my efforts.  My back was in a lot of pain by bedtime and I feel a little "out of shape" today . . .    But, seeing how I've virtually spent the past 4 months in bed . .  (!!!!)

  Luci's cake turned out just as cute as it could be.  I had ordered a "Tinkerbell" cake, several years ago, for JanaLyn's birthday and the plastic Tinkerbell looked like an evil witch.  Not so with Luci's cake.  VERY CUTE!
  

  The dinner turned out well, and I COULD TASTE some of my food.  It's been 4 weeks since I lost ALL of my taste buds, so this was an unexpected thrill for me!  Jesse's charcoaled chicken breasts were moist and tasty, and I made a creamy chipotle sauce for the adult's chicken.  My potato salad was exceptionally good (a miracle since I was missing several of the usual ingredients from my pantry) and JoAnn made a pasta salad.  The green beans were seasoned to Luci's specificiations.  I bought Neopolitan ice cream, to satisfy everyone, and the marble cake was as delicious as it looked.

  Luci has no problem posing for the camera!
     

  Some of the spectators and guests!
   

                 

  Luci loves the "idea" of receiving gifts and gets so worked up and excited.  When the time to unwrap her things arrives, she turns ecstatic and is full of smiles.
    

  She had seen a "computer" toy and wanted it AFTER I had finished my shopping for her.  I had to tell her, "Sorry, I've already bought your gifts."  She was so disappointed, but said nothing.  Her Uncle James and Ms. Babcock (in Tacoma) came through for her.  She was tickled pink when she opened up her reading and math "computer" toy and squealed with delight.
                             

  Her Auntie JoJo bought her a gumball machine (another request she had made) and her little feet, literally, ran frantically in place when she pulled out the gift, because her excitement went clear to her toes!  Too bad we didn't have a video of that one - it could have easily made "America's Funniest Videos" show!!!

  Auntie JoJo was pleased that Luci was so excited about the gumball machine, and Luci thanked her profusely!!!
                         

  Sushi was less excited!
                          

  Luci has always been so grateful for any type of gift.  I had felt bad about buying her plastic hair bands & clips, but that ended up being one of ther favorite gifts!  Who would have thought?  She's the easiest child to buy for because there is nothing she doesn't like or appreciate.  She went to each person, after she opened their gift, and thanked them and hugged them.  No coaxing - thankfulness is just in her.
     

  You can see how her enthusiasm and bear hugs make the recipients of the hugs smile, too.
                        

  After the unveiling of the gifts, it was time for cake & ice cream and the birthday songs.  No "songs" isn't a typo.  We have the "family" birthday song we sing and then the traditional "Happy Birthday To You" song. 

  I think the set up of dessert plates & utensils, getting out the ice cream, lighting of the candles on the cake, etc. must feel like "years" when you are still a child.
   
    
  But she perservered and patiently waited for the candles to be lit and the songs to be sung.  Then it took her 3 tries to blow out all of the candles.  Seven to mark her seventh birthday and one to grow on.
            

  The guests were less patient than Luci.
  
  Check out Rissy's tongue in the second picture!

  The swimming party idea was a bust.  There was enough lightening, that the lifeguard at the public pool had to tell everyone to get out of the pool and wait 20 minutes.  They would no more get in the pool and the lightening would happen again and they were asked to get out of the pool again.  Finally, they closed the pool and issued everyone a rain check . . . thus the original reason the phrase "rain check" came to be!

  They came home and hopped in our 3 little pools, but the lightening came again .. . BIG sigh . . .  So, they changed into clothes and went out in the yard in between threatening weather and tried their hands at badminton and horse shoes.

  Later, Luci said she had a terrific party and thanked me for everything, while I was on a heating pad, in bed, trying to ease my back pain.

  Stephanie took JanaLyn home around 9pm and we tried to get the little ones unwound before their bedtime.  A successful party and a grateful Mom, here, that God gave me the strength to pull things off to benefit Luci.

  Tomorrow morning, I will go back to the chemo lab for another IV of saline.  Hopefully, this will be the last time, because my energy should start rebounding without any more chemo blasts.

  Be Blessed  ~

  • 3:39 pm
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