Birthday, Cont'd.

Grandma and Grandpa arrived on Thursday. Their visit had two main purposes: to help us celebrate Daphne's birthday, and to buy a house. I am happy to report that they accomplished both. I am looking forward to the day they move up here and don't have to make visiting a big production. Instead, they'll be able to hop in the car and be here in 45 minutes. Yay.

The birthday party was on Saturday, and I have to say it was a success. I think everyone had a great time, and we had perfect weather for the theme, which was "Colorful Birthday in the Back Yard." There are pictures on Flickr if you want to see.


The cake was cupcakes, of course, in order to avoid my germophobic issues with the blowing out of candles. As it turns out, there was no actual blowing anyway, as the wind did the work, but that's another story. The cupcakes were a caterpillar, ladybugs, and worms in dirt, and I think the kids thought they were pretty cool. They were fun to make. I'd do it again.

The main activity was an idea I totally stole from my friend Whitney, who told me that at her daughter's birthday party, they let the kids paint flower pots and then plant a little flower to take home. The kids really got into it, and I was pleased that they seemed to enjoy it so much. The biggest drawback was that even though I said on the invitation that the kids would get messy, a lot of them showed up in party dresses which inevitably got paint on them. Look how serious they are down there, hard at work:

Here is Daphne's finished pot, which is now decorating the front porch:

So, the kids had fun, and Daphne got lots of nice gifts, and we enjoyed a really nice day in the back yard. The next day, the gnats arrived. Millions of them. I was not told about these gnats, and it was shocking. If it is going to be like this all summer, then it's going to be an awfully long summer. I am hoping it's just temporary, or that there is a solution. I'd almost rather there be mosquitos.

On a happier note, the stuff under my peonies that I thought was poison ivy is in fact wild strawberries:

Who knew strawberries have leaves of three?! We still have poison ivy in other places, but it is not nearly as rampant as I thought.

My mom and dad are on the way back to Texas now, and it's quiet here. Hopefully next time they come, it will be for good. June is going to be a quiet month, as we don't have any big plans until the arrival of my friend Emily and her awesome kids on the 29th. I can't wait for that. It will be so much fun. My goal before then is to catch up on some stuff at the house, and find a gnat solution so there can be picnics.

I hope you all had a nice weekend wherever you are.