C is for Cora!

so, cora’s birthday party came off beautifully.  I’ll say this by way of explanation and then the ridiculous over-self-analysis will stop there:  I debated and debated whether to even do a party (mainly on account of her incapacity to remember and also the distinct possibility that a party would be overwhelming and ridiculous) and finally gave in to the other side of the argument which is that it’s not only her first birthday party, but our first birthday party, as parents, and as a family.  And I think that, in general, birthdays should be special and parties should be done right.  Furthermore, we have about a bajillion birthday parties in our future, but we will always remember this one.  Thus, a themed party, sponsored by the letter C, a la cookie monster.  And, self-analysis aside, I’m really glad we did.  It was so much fun.

here’s basically how the day went:

1. Henry took the day off, we got up later than usual (8), and I put the chili in the crock-pot.  I used a proper texas chili recipe, being a 7th generation Texan and all, complete with 5 pounds of chuck and a chili puree (*see item 4.)

2. Then we went to breakfast at the Tin Shed and fed Cora Everything Naughty.  She thought she’d died and gone to heaven.  (Seriously, some of the best biscuits and gravy I’ve ever had.)

3. We went to a toy store up the street and picked out a Playmobil airplane and a rolling inchworm, which she loves.  The look on her face was priceless as she played with the toys in the car on the way home.  I think it was dawning on her that birthdays are really, completely awesome.

4. We came home and Cora took a 2 hour nap.  During which time I checked the crockpot and discovered that I had unwittingly made 5-alarm chili that was very delicious but entirely unedible for the little people coming over.  I did a little panicking, googled “how to cool down chili that is too spicy?” and ended up removing most of the broth, adding a bunch of beans and tomatoes (I suppose it is now my very own recipe, but I’ve no idea how to ever replicate it…) and a spoonful of vinegar.  All of which worked pretty well.  I tinkered a little more with it and then made the executive decision that the little people could just have grilled cheese and rice.  It worked out perfectly:  the adults literally scraped the crockpot clean, and the kids inhaled the sandwiches… I think we would have run out of chili altogether if the kids and adults had both eaten it.

5. Cora woke up and she and Henry went for a walk.  Aren’t they cute?

6.  The party got going around four.  I think we had 8 kids under the age of 5, and there were a few wild moments, but by and large, just a whole lot of fun.  There was a noticeable uptick in the activity level after the cupcakes were eaten, and the clay and crayons were a big hit.  Cora really seemed to enjoy herself.   She likes being around other kids and it didn’t hurt that she’d had such a nice long nap.

… and then everyone went home.  Nick and Erika stuck around for a couple of hours… the night ended with Cora laughing hysterically on the bed at Nick and then a hot bath and bed.  We watched the office, did the dishes, and mopped the floors.  Pretty nearly a perfect day.

one year and counting

a year ago today, this:

I can’t believe it has been a year.  And now we are drinking beer, watching the floor dry and smelling wonderful smell of murphy’s oil soap after a rather wild party.  Which I’ll post about tomorrow, I swear.  She is the best thing that has ever happened to us, and I am so in love with her that I actually miss her when she occasionally* sleeps through the night.  More about all that tomorrow, though.  For now I am just pleased that we made it through a whole year with both bodies and minds intact and are happily looking forward to many more.

*actually, never.  but I’m learning to deal with it and feel sure that by the time she hits adolescence I won’t be spending an hour or two in the rocker every night trying to coax her back to bed.