Memories old and new

Tomorrow is Isabella's 7th birthday. We have decided to actually have the celebration at our home, old-style, retro without the rented space, huge activities and 2 hours of fun filled contrived amazement. Instead, we opted to host our own party, with games and activities, for both the kids AND the adults. It will be more like a family get together with a few friends joining in. As part of the events, we are going to have Face painting (to take place in our library as folks are arriving) followed by a game with the parents of Musical Chairs. Because we will be using Bella's favorite music, the tunes we will be running seeking a seat will have to be Belle & Sebastian; U2 and the Police. (She has really cool taste)

Anyways, in between the rounds, we will have questions which are derived from a family--kid activity game that will pose questions about favorite vacations, making funny poems, and hearing about what everyone's favorite child memory was.

After we will have the kids put on a puppet show, eat homemade Pizza by Pieter (the best US & Holland) and enjoy a chocolate home made cake with chocolate whipped cream in between covered with ganache. (just finished trying the whipped cream, only too good)

I am looking forward to her day; partly because it is so home-grown grass roots kinda thing, and partly because it just is her 7th birthday. She has grown so much, and I still remember the moments (48 hours of it) as I delivered this little girl into the world. She was staring wide open at everything around her; and she didnt cry one bit. Her perception of the world is much like the picture she created posted above. Full of color, energy, life and creativity. She is an amazing daughter and I am so happy (wining notwithstanding) on how she has turned out.

Anyways, this week was also the 15th year after my Father's departure from this earthly part of the world. I thought of him often and can't help but to think that he was somehow part of this newly planned celebration for tomorrow. I know he will be there with open arms, smiling as he always did and happy about the joy, love and fun that we will be having.