A Second Birthday Celebration
Greetings to everyone.
We had planned to keep it simple this year. Only have a couple of people over to celebrate Xavier's birthday. Just immediate family and friends close enough to be family. It grew a little bigger than it looked on paper, and a little more complicated.
First, we chose graduation weekend. We didn't know; we never thought about it. Two parties drove down from Fort Collins and another from Colorado Springs. The traffic in all directions did not support a soothing drive.
Second, the weather threatened mischief. Fortunately, it behaved until long after the party ended.
Third, Friday near noon, Xavier stabbed himself in the eye with a fork. The trip to the doctor's office took the rest of the afternoon, the very afternoon Rebecca planned to finish cleaning up the house.
Though the weather had us keeping watch on it, we set up tables on the patio. We grilled burgers and dogs. Xavier had a pack of kids to run around the yard with, most of whom were years older than he, but that did not stop him from having a good time.
After cleaning up the lunch plates, the home-made ice cream (which Xavier helped turn) was brought out and the Minion Army assembled for the festivities. Hiding in the back-right, one special Minion having two yellow candles on top its head. After singing "Happy Birthday," Xavier blew out his candles (with help from Mom and the breeze), then pulled his Minion apart.
After each guest ate their Minion and had some ice cream, the wind began threatening some rain. We all moved inside to let Xavier "have at" the gifts others had brought for him.
Xavier has been opening gifts all week. We started on Thursday (yes, the day after his birthday; it's been a very full week) with the tricycle. Friday, Xavier opened presents from his Aunt Kathy, Grandma Penny and Grandpa Danny. Saturday, Xavier's guests blessed him with more gifts. We should have let Aunt Chelle's present be the last one Xavier opened.
Everything else took a back seat when Xavier torn away the paper and saw a set of five off-road Hot Wheel cars. His mouth made a its tiny "Cheerio" O shape, his eyes lit up and he said "Ooooo!" His new Hot Wheels stole the day from that point on.