Party Time!

It's kinda strange to write two post in one day - i'm struggling to get more than one a week! - but today is a very big day for a small girl.  she is now sleeping soundly and deeply after a day full of fun and adventure.  

we started out kinda low key - just one present and a rather normal start to the day (as the previous post explained).  around 3 pm j and i met up at celia's house - ainsley's child care worker, the wonderful woman who keeps her during the day (and hosptial stays, overnight church trips, days off, you get the idea) - with party favors and a cupcake cake.  

all the kids were crowded on the couch waiting for us.  they knew what was coming.  so we sang, we ate, we made a mess:

my favorite part was that as j was serving the cake he started serving the other kids first, going around in a circle away from ainsley.  as this kept happening she kept telling him, louder and with different inflections - it's for me!  it's for me!  its for me! - until the crescendo IT'S FOR ME! wherein celia and i got her a cupcake. (i'm still not sure j noticed!)

after destroying their servings in short order everyone wanted to play some more.  in celia's house on your birthday, you are in charge.  ainsley got to decide what everyone was going to do - which made her a queen for the day and a very happy camper. 

she got to lead the birthday parade and dance.

she got an audience - which she loves

but most of all she got to be the star of the show!

i really can't believe she's two!  time has gone so fast and yet so s-l-o-w.  i've been saying thank you for all the time and wonderful things and asking for patience for what is headed over the horizon.  we have a smart, empathetic, strong willed child - nothing at all like her parents huh? - and i know that she is going to push every boundary i've got.  

and that i'm getting it back for threatening my parents paying my dues for and i quote "i hold my breath till i die!' or 'you 'pank me and i do it anyways'.  sounds like barrels of fun are headed to the gale household. 

 (cause of course j was the most perfect child in the world.  no way ainsley is a double preacher's kid AND descended from hardheaded genes on both sides!?!)

also today a good friend welcomed his first son into the world.  its a good day to be born! welcome R.A.O.3rd and congrats r and m! i'll never forget the little ones day!