altarflame | I have a nine year old.

Nine! How can this be?

Last night the two of us were sitting together at the bar, at Chili's, because the wait for tables was insane and we were trying to catch a movie with little time to spare. So there we sit, with a woman nearby exclaiming how she can't possibly be my daughter, how old is she and how old am I (flashbacks to my own childhood)? And the bartender asking what I'll be eating and then asking her what she'll be eating - and she ordered her own meal with sides? What? So he brings our virgin pina coladas, encrusted with sugar at the top, and I'm watching Ananda in her Dance Empire hoodie licking the sugar off the top and she asks me about Robbie's boyfriend. Because Robbie (my nephew on Grant's side, their cousin) has totally come out. And before I know it I'm telling her how refined my gaydar is, and how Grant and I were not the slightest bit surprised because we've always known, with him.

We went and saw Up, in 3D, after they came and sang to her and delivered molten chocolate cake...and it was great and we both loved it (and I cried at least 3 times - I really had no idea, that movie was fantastic). On the way home it's, "Hey turn on Pink, Mom". She's saving for an iPod? What?

Yeah, I'm confused.

Anyway, she wanted to have a tea party for this birthday. And obviously I have just the Alice in Wonderland supplies to comply.

I got that lace for $2 a yard at Jo-Ann's. Already scalloped along the sides. Aww yeah, baby.

About to start.

Ok, now, pay close attention, I want to point out some differences to you. THIS, is how big girls have a tea party.

(that's Annie, Christina and Grace)

THIS is how big boys have a tea party.

(Darien, with Aaron and Christopher hot on his heels just out of the frame)

And this is how little kids think it should go down.

(Isaac, Brian, Naja)

Although I have to say that before half an hour had passed, only adults were left at the table and all manner of children were running in and out of slamming french doors and squealing and shrieking and eventually sweating through their formal wear ;) They all had a blast.

My friend Kristin was here doing HENNA...there was an instant line.

Aaron wanted "the dark mark" (HP), and after some quick google image searching I think Kristin did a pretty impressive rendition.

While outside with some of the little ones, Grant took this picture of the tree across the street, and how it torments us. This is but a small portion of the tree. The entire thing looks like this, except the lowest branches that have been cleaned out by neighborhood kids

(lychees)

She wanted an ice cream cake.

With colored flame candles.

Her gifts were so cool this year.

Handmade owl from/by Kristin (shown)
lite brite
jewelry making kit
wooden box with painting supplies
Monster Book of Monsters
plush Hedwig (both HP)
two necklaces, one a cross and one filled with dried flowers
fairy ring
owl shirt (she likes owls :p)
GREAT dress from Aunt Laura
devotional journal (from a sweet mom who pulled me aside at the beginning of the party terrified because she'd heard from another kid that we might be Jewish...the funniest part of this is that we were standing by a large painting of Christ when she expressed these concerns, and within 10 feet of a fairly big cross)
and $40 cash, in the form of two twenties in cards from Oma and Nana and Pa, to go in the iPod fund

Nadia had to leave early, and this was hours in, so she is not pictured...

(Christina, Patrice, Grace, Tomara, Ananda)

Naja! And my cat! I swear she is magic (either of them, you pick)

Far later, when everyone had gone home, these guys were sitting and watching movies like zombies. My flash was the only light in the room.

And the next day, on the day, she went in the yard with Daddy.
This shirt she is wearing is one my sister wore as a teenager, and my mother wore in the 70s, and HER mother wore in the 60s.