One month ago my daughter celebrated her first birthday. To mark the occasion, we held a small party at our London flat. As much as I loved the planning and prepping process - conceptualizing and crafting, decorating and baking -I am fully aware (as my husband repeatedly pointed out) that most of those details would be lost on the birthday girl. Hopefully one day Siena will look at the pictures from that day and realize the effort and care that went in to make her day special. But more than the color scheme and cupcakes what I will remember from that day is the happy guest of honor as she squealed with joy in the ball pit. How she clapped after every song we sang during rhyme time and leaned in to repeatedly kiss a toy dog she was smitten with as soon as it was opened. I'll remember her slamming on her new drum and pointing emphatically at the many balloons. How, when her first birthday cake was placed in front of her she mushed it between her fingers curiously but didn't think to eat it until grandma picked up a piece and put it in her mouth. She then began to eat it by the double-fist full before climbing onto the cake as everyone watched on with amusement. I will remember the rain outside only highlighted the warmth and comfort in the room. And that the pride and love on grandma and grandpa's faces as they watched Siena crawl around in her pretty party dress(es) was only matched by that of her beaming parents.
Happy Birthday My Darling Girl!
