Do you remember that old sixties song sung by Leslie Gore — the one that began “It’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to…?”
Well, today was my official family birthday party. My daughter Kara worked behind the scenes for over a week to bring everyone together and asked Amy to honor us by bringing the birthday cake.
Amy's Fabulous Carrot Cake
Amy bakes the best cake. It doesn’t matter which cake that steady girlfriend of my oldest son whips up. If Amy’s involved, it’s guaranteed to be a taste delight. When Amy hosted September’s Moveable Feast, she baked a three-layer Carrot Cake. And I told Kara then that Amy’s Carrot Cake was the best I’ve ever eaten. What I didn’t know was that I had just placed my birthday cake order with Kara and Amy. Those girls…
Well today, the lovely cake was here and Amy was here and my sons were here and my husband’s parents were here. But not Kate and Kara. They both called in tears — too sick to come. Kate decided half-way here that she better turn around; poor Kara never made it out of the garage. Kara left her sick-bed to get ready for the party, but realized early in the process that she was worse than she had known.
I felt bad for Kara. Imagine planning a party and then being unable to come. I hated Kara’s absence more for her than for me. So as a consolation prize – because that’s what Moms do — I prepared Kara a little care package of fresh rolls and broccoli-cheese soup and a generous hunk of Amy’s Fabulous Carrot Cake and some of my husband’s delicious home-made Cinnamon Ice Cream. And Amy and Bry dropped it off on their way back home. And while I missed seeing both girls, I was really glad that they stayed home to take care of themselves.
And the party was so lovely, though I confess to being more than a tad embarrassed that I’ve milked this birthday for all its worth. But certainly not enough to cry about it. Fasting through lunch gave me plenty of tummy space for an undainty portion of Amy’s cake and my husband’s ice cream.
So now this milked-it-for-all-she-was-worth birthday girl is all smiles. I’m so happy that it makes me think of that other Leslie Gore song of the sixties that I liked so much — Sunshine Lollipops and Rainbows.
Max and Me Admiring Amy's Cake
And what do you know. Just like everything else, this song is right at my internet fingertips. So I dedicate this Leslie Gore song to Kara, for all her hard party planning work. And to Amy for a great tasting cake. And to my husband for making ice cream. And to the boys and Grammy and Papa for helping me celebrate. And to Kate, for sending me birthday wishes without germs — and her promise of a belated birthday lunch soon. I look forward to it honey.
Because of you and you and you, “my life is sunshine lollipops and rainbows'”…”everything that’s wonderful is what I feel when we’re together.”
You do know that it’s considered acceptable in some circles to celebrate birthday seasons, don’t you? You know – like the Christmas season, or the Easter season.
Me? I’ve always gone for “The Octave of My Birth”, except no one much wants to play along 😉
Wonderful to see the pics, and to know you’re married to someone capable of producing cinnamon ice cream. Happy birthday again!
Oh, thank you good friend who always has the right words in her hip pocket — I like the thought of a birthday season — so much better than hurricane season — and while I guess the former was officially over with the cutting of the cake, I guess we’ll have to wait for the latter to end next month.
And yes, my husband is quite the cook. He was worth waiting for. Sort of like birthdays.
But who says we can’t continue to secretly celebrate every day of this next year? I’m gamed if you are. It’s our parties….
You’re the best mama ever! I love you very much and I was sad to miss your special birthday celebration!
Kara
Well thanks honey. Best is sure a hard word to live up to. But God willing, I hope to have more birthdays to celebrate. Yours, mine and all the rest of our fine family.
Good gosh. Hurricane season never crossed my mind. It must be over for the year!
So, let the celebrations begin!
Yes. Living 500 miles away, I easily forget hurricane season. But for you, living at ground zero so to speak, it’s nice to hear that you too have been able to forget it.
Hurricane-wise, it’s been a speak-easy sort of year so far; granting us a year of ease, what is out of sight is therefore out of mind.
So yes — with the heavy risk months behind us, there is much to be grateful for. And with you and for you, I celebrate.