Although we celebrate the children's birthdays on their actual days of birth, they look forward to their big, dual birthday party most of all. It is a day when we can celebrate another year of growth and love with all of our wonderful friends.
This year, as it always does in May, the weather threatened to intrude on our plans. It rained all morning- and all the way up to the start time of the party when the rain magically tapered off. With the exception of a few minor sprinkles here and there, the rain held off until after all of the presents were open and had been brought back inside! Thanks Mother Nature!
As usual, we had a couple pools set up for the children to play in as well as the playset and the new sandbox. Mud was also a major hit of the party.
Before the cake, I brought out another birthday surprise. A 20 foot diameter parachute! You know, the kind that makes up all of your best elementary school memories? THAT. I now own one of them.
I decided that if I was baking the cake, it should be a cake that I can eat, so vegan cake it was. The children both requested chocolate and strawberries, so I made it so. Delicious, scrumptescant, vegan, chocolate cake with strawberries on top and between the layers.
After cake, the time for presents had come. I requested that if the guests wanted to bring gifts that they not be plastic and ideally be made of natural materials. Most everyone respected our wishes, and for that I am thankful.
After presents, the rain came back. While the majority of our guests went home, many friends stayed and we all went inside. We all spread out through the house; some children in the school room, some upstairs; some adults in the pinball room, some conversing on the couches. It was lovely! We all had dinner together and the guests who were not camping eventually headed home.
The rain, once again, held off for long enough to do one last thing Rainbow Girl had requested; roasting marshmallows. Really, what is camping without roasting marshmallows??
After the children were in their tents, the rain picked up again. Myself and the remaining adults gathered around the strangely still flourishing bonfire with our umbrellas and wine and continued to celebrate until we were ready to head into our tents.
We had a delightful time celebrating another year with all of our beautiful friends.
**Big thank you to the wonderful photographer who took most of these pictures, and has photographed Rainbow Girl's parties since she was two years old, Wade Hysell of Guy With a Camera LLC.
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