You Say It's Your Birthday

There are days when the best decision to be made is to throw aside the to do list, the should do list, the needed to get done yesterday list and just play. This week Ben realized that it was the birthday of all his beloved stuffed animals, which made Clara remember that it was the birthday of her menagerie too. 

Over breakfast smoothies and buttered toast, plans were made for a party, a party that very day. So, we gathered the necessary provisions (Clara insisted on yellow cupcakes with chocolate frosting and lots of sprinkles), decorated with a mixed-up stash of leftover party supplies, created custom crowns for each guest (including itty bitty crowns for Luke Skywalker and a Storm Trooper), set-up a tea table with care, pulled out party attire from the dress-up box…and then nibbled and played at the party in honor of our favorite furry friends. 

Leah had found a tea set years ago for a steal, took a chance with her heart and purchased it, knowing that it may very well jinx the thing she most desired- a little girl.  It had been boxed in storage in Saratoga, traveled out to North Carolina where it had been safely nestled in a corner of the attic for the last five years.  A couple of different times over the years (before Clara), she had almost given it away to friends who had a houseful of girls, wondering if she had tempted fate when she held the floral drenched teapot in her hands and made that girl of a wish. 

Leah brought the box down for the party and with Clara by her side carefully unwrapped each teacup, saucer and creamer with a heart besieged with gratitude.  Clara was delighted with the real china after hosting so many pretend parties with her plastic tea set. When the table was laden with the rose wrapped china, sunny daffodils picked from our yard and a tower of sprinkle drenched cupcakes, Leah was thrilled to tell her baby girl that this tea set belonged to her- that it was a treasure her mommy had bought long ago with a hope for a beautiful, bright, little girl. It is no wonder that as Clara was tucked in that night she said the best part of her day was, “setting-up with Mommy.”

That night over dinner we began to reminiscence about the crew of animals.  Mark and Leah must admit, this collection often drives them bonkers— the endless stacking and searching, remembering the names and preferences of an ever-multiplying assortment of characters can be tedious.  However, as we began considering each animal, where they came from (Santa Barbara Zoo, San Francisco, North Pole), whom they came from (grandparents, far-away friends, each other), how they provide comfort in the middle of the night or make great co-pilots on rocket ships and students in pretend classrooms…our hearts softened.  

We also admit, that as we recalled the oldest animal in the collection, there were some tears.  Aslan, Ben’s now matted and much loved lion from Aunt Ann, has been his companion since he was a baby.  Looking at Aslan, we were also looking at our little bald boy, blue eyes flashing with delight, giggling up at us from his crib.  Suddenly, a party in honor of these cushy creatures seemed entirely appropriate, because they had been the ambassador of comfort and treasured memories for us too.  

Happy Birthday to everyone, from Fat Gecko to Benny the Penguin, to Yoda and the Blue Fairy (who is quite the flirt, last week she was all over Woody)– here’s to many more years together. We love you.