Today was the celebration of little Lailah’s third birthday (which actually occurred earlier this week). Problem was, the party was at 1pm but my Saturday class doesn’t end until 3:30pm.
So, after class, I flew home, changed into a pair of shorts, and drove to the park between her parent’s house and mine. Parked my (new rental) car, and started walking toward the pavilion – I hear my name being called, and various people are waving at me from far off, so I’m looking more toward the horizon at them rather than a bit closer to me, and I hear this little voice, and see this pink shape running toward me, and I kneel down, and hold out my arms, and then scoop up this little pink squirt of love – the one saying: “Hi GranPa Brian, where have you been, how did you get here, did you drive here all by yourself (etc.), just asking a whole bunch of questions – as if we hadn’t seen each other in days (we had just seen each other last night with seeing Peter Pan together).
Anyway, she was pretty excited to see me, as I her, and she is in my arms, as I carry her toward the pavilion, she holding onto me as tight as could be, her face to my neck and shoulder.
I have to give a big shout out to all of Katie McCormick’s family: Lynn McCormick, Kelli Otis,and Josh. They ALWAYS make me feel so welcome. They are such loving and kind people. I missed seeing Jim today, Lynn’s hubby and I hope he’s feeling better. And, of course, Jordan (Lailah’s dad) is there and comes over to shake my hand (he is such a great father to Lailah).
Since I had just come from class, every one of them expressed interest in how school was going for me – I told them my (latest) sob story about my current professor, and latest quiz (only 10 out of 100 pts), etc. and everyone just had to give me some (ok, a lot of) grief about my (lack of) studying, getting not-so-good grades, etc., this included not only Katie, and Lynn, but GG (GranMaRose’s mom) too, and especially Kelli (Katie’s sister). Did I mention how much I dislike her (Kellie)?? No, I’m just kidding – it’s amazing when people can get together and tease one another, without getting anyone’s (“stupid”) feelings hurt. I love kidding around, and these women love to kid me as well (now, can someone help me take this knife out of my back, please?).
I would be remiss here if I didn’t mention GranMaRose being there, with her son Reece who just got home from Embrey Riddle (FL) yesterday morning, finishing his second yr there – with him sharing he finished with a 4.0 this term. Good for him! I am so proud of him and his school accomplishments. Reece’s GF, Katie (yes, another Katie) was there as well, having driven in from Eau Claire yesterday. She is such the sweetest and a really smart young woman. As noted before, GMR’s mom (“GG”, aka Sandi) is there as well, having flown in from L.A. Even Jordan’s dad was there (“Grand Pa Jerry”).
The thing I really liked is, you could tell the party was winding down, but all of them were still patiently waiting for me. I am so glad they think of me as a part of their extended family.
Anyway, I, of course, just had to play with Lailah in the playground area, her chasing after me, pushing her on the swings, and going on the slide with her.
Eventually, it was time to leave the park, but wait, everyone is going to Katie and Jordan’s house…it’s just down the street. So, off we go. Apparently, there is one last “surprise” present for Lailah waiting for her at home. We all gather around in the garage for the unveiling – I hadn’t heard anything about it so I was as surprised as she was. I’m not going to say what it was, but will post pictures of her and “it” tomorrow (or in the next few days).
All of us eventually sat on the patio chairs on the lawn, having a good time, when Jordan brings out a blanket for her to sit/lay on. Sometime later, she and I are playing with the blanket, making it into a fort, and cape, and whatnot, and she wants to lay down and snuggle with me on it.
All throughout the afternoon, I had my <Sony A6000> camera with me as I usually do and had been taking pictures of everyone. This time, however, I’m laying on the ground and I handed the camera to Katie, and asked that she take a pic of Lailah and myself. You have to admire someone who takes a camera they’ve never held before, and starts “playing around” with it, not taking one or two pics, but (like me), starts taking selfies of herself, then, of herself and Lailah, and, of course, taking pictures of Lailah playing with me (which is what I wanted). And, they turned out to be good pictures to boot. I’ll be posting a few of these also in the next few days. (thanks, Katie, it’s rare to get good pics of myself with your daughter).
We’re loosing daylight and we go into the house, and I sit on their couch, trying to relax a bit. Lailah, cutie that she is, goes over to the toy cube wall area and brings back a cube tub of Legos and Dupla things, wanting me to play with her. We play for awhile (a LONG while) on the couch, and she eventually starts to place the Legos more toward me and away from herself, making a toyless “hole” around her, and lays down. Within two minutes she is out like a light. TV is on, people are in and out, talking, but there she is, her feet on my thigh, snoring away (jk about the snoring). She was a tired pumpkin.
I guess she slept for an hour or so before her mom gently wakes her up. I’ve been sitting on the couch watching her sleep, and reading a book on the iPad.
She wakes up and wants to paint, but her mom thinks it’s too late to do that, but gets out the “smelly play-doh” (??). Ah, you learn something new each day. There are containers of play-doh, scented with strawberry, watermelon, apple and blueberry(?). What craziness is this?
We play play-doh in the dining room and I convince GMR to take over. I need a break and go back to my book. Of course, Lailah sees me with the iPad and wants to play on it and in order to convince me to allow her to do this, she sidles right up next to me, and I mean, RIGHT up close, putting her head on my shoulder, and I cave, and we start to play “Olaf” (a “frozen” app), which she loves to play, even though I do not fully understand the purpose of it. Lol.
Tonight’s big game (oops, Katie, I meant “Match”) is about to begin. I’m not a boxing fan, so I take my leave and say good night to everyone (giving out and receiving hugs and handshakes from everyone) and I pick up Lailah and receive from my little girl one last huge hug (“I love you, GranPa Brian”) and drive the mile or so to my quiet home.
I am so very grateful to have these people in my life – these people who love me and who I love back.
