I've been surprised to learn from my friends in the UK and Canada that autumn decorations are not done. Perhaps you'd all like to start some new trends...or not. ;>
We are safely through two out of the three October birthdays with an early November one coming right up as well. Birthday Alley...does your family have a similar situation? What month do they land in? Not December I hope!
Last year I decided upon a five senses birthday for my daughter. This year, I decided on a baking/cooking themed birthday. That way, I was able to make her an apron. I found this idea somewhere out there in Blogdom...can I find it again? Not right now, but I'm still looking. (I did find one similar at Angry Chicken.) It's an apron made from a tea towel with the bottom folded up in such a way as to create pockets. Easy and fun to make and my daughter was thrilled not to get a Mary Jane apron, which she finds hopelessly old-fashioned. What does she know?!
So anyway, there was the apron, the cookbook, the baking pan, the cake mixes and the brownie mixes, the tea towels, the vintage spoons, AND the picnic basket almost exactly like the one from Suzanne, The Farmer's Wife. Oh not quite in as good shape, but such a wonderful find at the flea market last week. I knew that it was going to perfectly hold all the other gifts.
This picnic basket has a bit of yellow trim, which is great since my daughter's favorite color is yellow, too.
So Saturday night's birthday party went well and a good time was had by all...
Hmmm, yes, who knew that The Cat in the Hat still holds such appeal. It's been a long time since I last read this 40 plus page story and an especially long time since I read it to my son.
At the end of a lovely evening, it was a bit disheartening to learn that my two-year-old grandson is no longer giving goodbye hugs and kisses. Parting has become quite a formal affair...
"Goodbye, Nonni."
"Yes, well, goodbye, Darling. Lovely to see you again!"
I have autumn decorations - courtesy of Switzerland and my sister in particular! My scarecrow is a triumph. He stands on my TV. But no, there are very few autumn decorations available here. I try. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea for your daughter's birthday! I love that apron. And your delight, my friend, in reading that book is quite clear!!!
PS I would have scooped that little treasure up and kissed and tickled him!
What a wonderful birthday party! Am I terrible if I'm laughing at your two year old's formal parting? that made my day...where did he learn that? Oh my :D
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful day!
Kathi :)
Oh Vee, it's wonderful to see your sweet face!!! I love the goodies you gave your daughter too and the apron is so chic, what a great idea! Those grandbabies are precious and the shaking hands goodbye...oh my, tooo sweet, I'm afraid I'd have to steal a little hug! Hope you're having a great week dear Vee, xxoo, Dawn
ReplyDeletelove it! you made nice post! beautful childrens!
ReplyDeleteregards
I hope you in my blog too!
Marina
Ah, the Cat in the Hat! We always called our daughters "Thing One" and "Thing Two". Lovingly, of course! How cute to see your son sitting and listening to the story as you told it. Your grandchildren are so cute--I have no doubt Mr. Formal will be hugging you again soon! ~Kathy
ReplyDelete"Birthday Alley" October. Eeeeek!
ReplyDeleteNaturally, the whole family's Birthdays aren't all in Oct. But plenty are, and there are Wedding Anniversaries in Sept., Oct. and Nov. too. -sighhhhhhhhhh-
Good thing we only pay AS-A-GROUP attention, to the children's Birthdays. Same as at Christmas.
Miss Mari-Nanci
We are in 'birthday alley' over here as well...celebrating a big one today.
ReplyDeleteYou found the perfect apron...and wonderful basket with accesories. You are full of good ideas!
Don't let him give up the hugs yet...my grandson is the world's best hugger at 'almost three'.
Vee, what a cute idea for a birthday present! Looks like it was a great success. Love the apron- I think my DD would like something like that much more than my ruffled ones!
ReplyDeleteI guess formal goodbyes are okay as long as he'll still snuggle up in Nonni's lap for a good book. Ya'll three were having a fine time - as well as your son! He had to sneak in there and hear the Cat in the Hat again, too. By the way, another similarity - my kids called my mom Nonni, too!
Have a great day
oh wow, I wonder how many times I rad the cat in the hat. I have a new set of Dr Suess hard cover books already being read. I still enjoy them. .
ReplyDeleteYOur grands are too funny. . .I love your line at the end, so cute.
What is it? Do Americans just look for any excuse to decorate the exterior of their homes? The birthday party looked like lots of fun and the theme idea is very cool.
ReplyDelete- Suzanne
Hi Vee!
ReplyDeleteAwwww, your grandson has become a very proper gentleman after learning how to give a proper handshake...but the sticky gooey big hugs and kisses will soon be back for Nonni, I'm sure! You all look so cute reading Dr. Suess!
That's a wonderful gift for your daughter -- the picnic basket was a real find -- it's so pretty! Very nice apron you made, too!
My husband and I both come from big families, and we have lots of nieces and nephews who now have lots of children, so almost every month is a birthday month except for May -- no one is born in May for some reason! December is filled with birthdays, and now my grandson is due early December! My sister was born on Christmas day! The adults don't exchange gifts,
(only for milestone birthdays) but we do get all the children something for their birthdays and Christmas and very often it is a new hardcover book! I always feel you can never have enough books! :-)
Hugs, Pat
Oh my they do grow up fast, at two it is hand shaking already? Well, don't let your darling tell mine because he is still giving kisses to his Hannah who eats them up.
ReplyDeleteLove the apron! Perfect packaging for your gift too.
How precious to see you reading to not only your grandchildren but to your son as well. I bet he loved it every bit as much as the little ones. We are currently into The Cat In The Hat here too.
Happy Tuesday!
Great birthday presents for your daughter!! Lucky her!!
ReplyDeleteWe have a lot of July Birthdays in my family with more scattered throughout the year.
What a wonderful birthday present idea! I love that apron.
ReplyDeletePenny
What a lovely time!
ReplyDeleteI love that basket.
Hi Vee, Most of our birthdays are in June and Novemember. It does get a little crazy doesn't it? I love the apron you made for your daughter. I especially like that it has pockets. I used to read The Cat In The Hat to my boys and then they read it to me. I really enjoyed reading your post.
ReplyDeleteHmmm ... I'm in Ontario, Canada and we most definitely decorate our porches for Autumn!
ReplyDeleteBirthdays in our family come in April, May & June then in August & September which gives us some breathing room! Love your idea of a themed birthday ... that apron is so cute!
xo,
Lynda
What an enjoyable evening I've just spent with you. I love her apron, no wonder she loves it! Love the entire birthday gift, especially the picnic basket. I still have my boys Cat in the Hat book...it's in pretty good shape considering I read it them at least six times a year. I love me some Dr. Seuss! I love that little hand shaking munchkin, too...I believe you may have able to overpower him, tho...he'd a got a kiss, like it or not, lol!
ReplyDeletehugs
Sandi
What a special birthday! I love this idea. I must admit that I gigged so hard when I read (and saw) about your sweet grandson's handshake. I am sure he will get back to those hugs soon but this is such a cute memory for you all.
ReplyDeleteThe Cat in the Hat is such a classic!! I think those little sweeties have a most marvelous Grandma!
Love,
sue
What a wonderful post...themed birthday gifts..what a wonderful idea. I love the picnic basket also. And the look on your son's face as you were reading..that is priceless. Our birthday month is January and February
ReplyDeleteI adore the pictures of you with the little ones. The Cat in the Hat is one of my favorites...Hugs...m...
ReplyDeleteAwww he's only two and already it's on to handshakes! oh dear! Very cute birthday, love the apron. I saw that in a book somewhere but can't remember which one.
ReplyDeleteManuela
wow Vee they never cease to amaze me....handshakes??? too cute! I finally made it back, I apparently have alot of catching up to do...you have been a busy bee! Hope to hear from you soon!!!
ReplyDeleteCyndi