Birthday parties – Dear Liza

Jasper Turns 14

Dear Liza,

Sunday was Cousin Jasper’s birthday party, and it was like no other party I have ever been to.

Since the weather has been clear (but COLD) and there is a fine strong new roof on their building and new ladder going up to it, Jasper decided that he wanted the party on the roof. At night. With video games.

Of course, there were logistical issues. Just getting the screen, digital projector and all the cords and lights up the ladder and through the hole onto the roof was a huge job. But to seat 6 kids comfortably took every pillow and blanket in the house, including the sofa cushions. Most of this got done before I even arrived. I was totally impressed.

As the sun went down, the views became even more beautiful. Unfortunately, it became clear that the projector screen was catching too much wind and was not going to be practical. Jasper paced and thought a minute, and decided that his smaller, heavier flat screen monitor would work.

So, screen folded and taken down, monitor carried up. Lots of tricky balancing and figuring out as we went along. Problem solved.

As the guests arrived, well- prepared for the chilly party, things went from slightly stressed to happy and smooth.

Guests helped carry the last bits up or down. Everyone shared the controllers for the games, kids brought out spare chargers.It was wonderful.

Dinner delivery paused the game as Pizza, cupcakes, and soda fueled everyone and made for happy, chatty middle school conversations inside.

While the kids were eating, I needed to head off with Grandpa Nelson for shopping and such, but Auntie Katie sent me pictures that show everyone returning to the roof for more Tetris.

This was my first roof-top party at Katie’s, but I have a feeling it won’t be the last. The next one should even be warm… Kestrel’s birthday is in July!

Love,

Grandma Judy

Katie Turns 4-0!!

Dear Liza,

Your Auntie Katie, my baby and your daddy’s little sister, turned 40 this past Friday.

It was a fun evening! Friends from all over ( even your Daddy in Denmark) got together on ZOOM, and three even traveled from Canada, California and Eugene, Oregon to come visit in person. We called Katie’s sweetie, Marion, mid-party and she came by to join the fun.

Grandpa Nelson, Auntie Bridgett and I brought good food from Pastini to feed everyone. Andrea, Auntie Katie’s business partner, brought a yummy cake and candles from Market of Choice.

There was lots of horsing around and silliness. Auntie Katie brought out her photo albums and we got to visit with long-gone friends and family.

And there were presents! Auntie Bridgett and I had picked out an embroidered pillow at GiftyKitty weeks ago, and now the two snuggling kitties look like Katie and Marion! It is so cute I almost exploded.

When it was time to get Cousins Kestrel and Jasper to bed, we dropped Jasper at his best friend’s house and brought Kes to sleep here so the Party Ladies could continue.
I am so glad we got to be together.

Love,

Grandma Judy

Kestrel Turns Seven

Dear Liza,

Yesterday was Cousin Kestrel’s seventh birthday! Her party had the theme of Princess Kittens, so of course special things were needed.

I walked over to their house in Ladd’s Addition early Sunday morning to help Auntie Katie make the cake. She had gotten the hard work done already! She had baked, sliced, filled, chilled and crumb-coated this marvelous kitten cake. All I needed to do was give it a nice layer of fluffy pink frosting and watch Auntie Katie put on the face.

It is always wonderful for a mom, like me, to visit her grown up children and get to watch them recreate some of their happy childhood memories. It is comforting to know that all that hard work did some good.

After the cake was ready, I walked home and worked on the story, baked cookies, and rested up. Then Grandpa Nelson and I rode our bikes back down for the party. Lots of little girls, a few boys, and kittens! We made tiaras with ears, colored kitten pictures, ate the lovely cake, and the whole party made a parade to the rose garden nearby for a photo shoot. I stayed at the house, because Cousin Jasper was feeling overwhelmed by all the excitement. It was kind of nice to be quiet, I admit.

Presents were opened, hugs were given, and the party was over. Grandpa Nelson and I rode back UP the hill home and crashed. We both napped and drank lots of water.

Then, at 6:00, it was time for the Rowhouse condos potluck! We took homemade bread and butter, snickerdoodles, and wine. We ate and talked and drank wine for hours, getting to know more of our neighbors and enjoying the warm evening. When we hauled ourselves back up the stairs and home, I was truly spent and slept like a log.

Being retired sure keeps me busy!

Love,

Grandma Judy