The summer is flying by. It is amazing how that happens. And that makes me so sad. I love summer and wish it stretched out longer. Each each approaching June, when the girls birthdays are upon us, I am thrilled at the prospect of a great summer. Longer days, warmer weather (sometimes, here in the Bay Area) and a relaxed schedule filled with fun and vacation. I love summer. And what better what to start the season than by celebrating my two small gems.
With many vaccinated in our area and kids 12 and older recently approved, we felt it was safe to have some safe birthday celebrations back in June. Amara had a birthday/graduation party for her Middle School peers (all 8 of them-4 who graduated) and their parents. I was thrilled to cook again for guests and it was wonderful to see our back yard with teens and their adults, laughing, eating, connecting again. Then the MS crowd gathered around a borrowed outdoor screen for The Heights. It felt like we were back to our normal selves. It was wonderful.
A few weeks later, it was time to celebrate Havana. She wanted something more low key. Not all her friends were eligible for the vaccine (or opted out). And, to be honest, Havana is more introverted. She much prefers a smaller group. That meant inviting her four closest pals for an outdoor dinner at a Portumex in Richmond. We had the entire back patio for ourselves, which allowed the kids to do their thing unrushed, while the parents got to have a much welcomed meal, filled with conversations that were on hold for far too long. We are so fortunate in our lives. To live where we do, to be able to afford children's birthday celebrations, to have delicious Alpine bakery cakes and good friends with whom to share it all. I hope that as the girls grew into adulthood they will carry with them memories of birthdays that will make their hearts smile.
