Birthday Party!

I had prepared all these somewhat snide and cynical comments about children's birthday parties and the meaningless conventions we all seem to follow whether we want to or not. Like, handing out goodie bags to each child who comes, filled with dollar store crap and candy. What mom out there wants more dollar store crap and candy in her house? None, I tell you! Then the day of my own child's party arrived (yesterday) and well, one can only be cynical and superior so long before one begins to sound like a un-fun-super-dooper-party-pooper.

So here are some photos from Emily's 5th birthday party, held at a local park. For free. Humidity and 90+ degree weather, no extra charge. There were several children in attendance, but I am only showing photos of my own and my sister's kids, since I gather some parents might not want their children's pictures up on the internet without permission (and I didn't ask). My children's faces are rosy pink, but that's exertion and sweat and fair coloring, not sunburn, I promise.

This last picture shows all the members of my family present at the party (except me). From left, with birthday-hat-as-bird-beak-mask, my nephew L. who turned five two months ago, Emily the birthday girl, Penny the birthday sister, my husband, my other nephew B. who is 2 1/2, my mom, and mostly obscured, with headband, my twin sister.

I've noticed that in all the pictures (including the ones I didn't post), Emily looks a) serious or b) grouchy. I think that it's mostly the heat, but she has been more grouchy than not, in recent days. She had a good time at the party, though, and all the moms were friendly and socializing was not painful. Emily's lament (mostly after we arrived home and unpacked the gifts) that she had received so much princess stuff and "I hate princesses!"--well, was it wrong that this warmed my cold, cold heart? I did say to her, however, almost as a reflex, that Maybe hate is too strong a word, isn't it, dear?