Dear Liza,
One thing about being a Grandma…I get to carry a lot of fun memories around in my head. I remember Cousin Kestrel’s first hours on this planet, and her tiny babyhood.
And now her eighth birthday party was this past weekend. It was so much fun! It happened the day after the Grand Re-Opening party for Books with Pictures. I still don’t know how her mommy Katie keeps going… I would be a sleepy heap.
The Galaxy themed party was held just across the street from Kes’s house, in the gazebo behind her school, Abernethy Elementary. It is a very nice place, with the school garden and a mural by Botjoy artist Gary Hirsch.
Kids and grownups snacked and chatted,
and the little girls made ‘galaxies’ out of paper and foil, and then played a game that Kestrel made up… Comet Toss!
I sewed the comets, and Kestrel invented the game and scoring plan. Chelsea and I laid out the game area with planets and suns for targets. The game changed as the kids played, which made it even more fun! Everyone was a really good sport.
After the game and some cake (baked by Katie after midnight and decorated by Kes and Chelsea this morning), tree climbing was in order.
Kestrel showed her skill here, except for one little slip that left her with a scraped leg. Some ice from the cooler and my striped scarf helped her feel better.
Then came presents! She got some nice art supplies from friends, and a book from me… “Stuart Little”, one of my favorites. She really loved the card that Auntie Bridgett made for her, with a kitten in a space suit.
After a while it was time for Grandpa Nelson and I to say good-bye and head off on other adventures.
But in November will be Jasper’s birthday. The parties never end, I guess.
Love,
Grandma Judy
Dear Liza 