As mentioned yesterday, we were rained out on Sunday for Marlowe's party. This would have been not so bad, if we hadn't already hung all the decorations and set 90% of the table!
wonder woman, Michelle.
After our pancake breakfast we sat around together. Marlowe slowly ripped open her gifts and ran around.
The day was wonderful. I had a back-up plan for the rain--- unfortunately my back up plan did not include "what to do if it begins to rain AFTER everything is set up". But regardless, everything worked out. With a few close friends and family, Marlowe had a great day filled with a lot of fun and a lot of delicious food. So many decorations made by Michelle and myself. And so many other details purchased by my mother (who flew down from Massachusetts!) for the event. While my mom and I prepped much of the food the night and morning before, Michelle and Alex really did most of the grunt work in the very hot kitchen the hour prior to serving. The party really wouldn't have been what it was without the three of them. Marlowe is so lucky to have people that love and care so much for her, in her life. It's never about any of the material things or the gifts that are given to her... she has everything she needs right here--- everything that is truly important in raising a happy and healthy centered person. It really is just so incredible how much unconditional love, support, and time this little girl has from her (and my) family and friends. She is so lucky. I can't wait for her to grow up, and look back on all these important moments of her childhood and see the love that has always been here for her.
This was the only picture I took before the rain.... on my phone. No real pictures. No details. Just one photo. There were hanging decorations everywhere and paper chains spanning the length of the deck. There was a a canvas tarp hung to diffuse the sun. The tricycle was decked out with gifts and balloons. It was beautiful. My mom kept saying: "What a good team the two of you make! You're such a good team!" and it's true. While Michelle and my mom worked incredibly hard inside, taking turns to entertain a baby while setting up, Alex and I manned the deck. Even in the simple details of table setting, he trusts me, and I trust him to make something look beautiful. Really, the four of us made a great team. Our similar, but different styles (and quick thinking), were able to bring together something that ran smoothly and looked like a dream party.
Then the rain suddenly came. Not at full force, and so we decided we would cover the table with some fabric and just wait. We planned to dry things off, and have everything be okay in twenty minutes. Then the rain really came. POURING. The chain links began to break, the banner letters tore, the balloons began to sink and the cups and plates overfilled with water. There were puddles throughout the already set table.
My brother being as amazing as he is, &knowing how upset I was, offered to sit outside in the pouring rain and "enjoy the party" so I could snap a photo. He was then given beer as a "thank you".
All the guests had arrived at this point. Marlowe was inside being passed around and played with. Alex and Michelle were being super chefs in the kitchen. And I was running around like a crazy person trying to take care of all the loose ends. Once the rain slowed, we started ringing out the cloths and dumping water out of the dishes. We moved the coffee table and tent into the bedroom, blocked the front door with the couch and re-set the table inside.
In a matter of moments everything was ready to go again. The decorations were left outside. The linens were all soaked and we used panels of fabric to cover the table. We dried Marlowe's crown and sat her at the head of table with a birthday muffin in hand.
We began serving food. Everything vegan, minus an egg dish.
(my plate)
wonder woman, Michelle.
After our pancake breakfast we sat around together. Marlowe slowly ripped open her gifts and ran around.
An adorable shoeless mess. Soaking wet crown. Curly cue hair. And a strawberry stained dress.
Jerry hugs.
After we said goodbye to all our guests....
Marlowe was tired (very tired) and attempted (but did not succeed) to steal my coffee.
She ended her party in the best of ways... outside on the messy, soaking wet, un-used party deck. Being rocked under the clear sky by her grandmother. She then napped for about two and half hours straight, passed out naked on mama's bed.
The day was wonderful. I had a back-up plan for the rain--- unfortunately my back up plan did not include "what to do if it begins to rain AFTER everything is set up". But regardless, everything worked out. With a few close friends and family, Marlowe had a great day filled with a lot of fun and a lot of delicious food. So many decorations made by Michelle and myself. And so many other details purchased by my mother (who flew down from Massachusetts!) for the event. While my mom and I prepped much of the food the night and morning before, Michelle and Alex really did most of the grunt work in the very hot kitchen the hour prior to serving. The party really wouldn't have been what it was without the three of them. Marlowe is so lucky to have people that love and care so much for her, in her life. It's never about any of the material things or the gifts that are given to her... she has everything she needs right here--- everything that is truly important in raising a happy and healthy centered person. It really is just so incredible how much unconditional love, support, and time this little girl has from her (and my) family and friends. She is so lucky. I can't wait for her to grow up, and look back on all these important moments of her childhood and see the love that has always been here for her.
(In case you didn't get enough, see more photos: HERE... &I keep adding more photos... oh dear)
♥♥♥
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