The celebration of Little Bear

The Special Plate

In our home, this plate comes out for the special days. That would be birthdays, anniversaries, or days when someone needs cheering. Today, in honor of one little girl's ninth birthday, this plate was crowned with a perfectly baked dutch baby (sort of an extra large popover.) Yum.


At Papa's school

I first saw my birthday girl at 5:20 this morning (do you think she remembered that she was born at 5:19?) She was dressed in her lacy dress and ready to bake dutch babies. In fact, everyone was up and ready to hit the ground running by 6:00. I treasure my alone time, and it was a sacrifice to have the crew descend so early, but it was great to see the enthusiasm for a sister's birthday. We had our usual piano lessons first thing after breakfast,but that was only the beginning of the plans.

There were two main activities today. After piano was a trip to my husband's school for lunch. Just Papa and Little Bear, enjoying sandwiches, strawberries, and muffins. As they walked back to the car, I saw co-workers peeking out of the lunch room, enjoying the sight of a father and daughter who were obviously enjoying the treat of time alone.

After that there was one quick errand to Costco where we purchased a television. That was an experience worthy of its own post, so you shall have to wait to hear the tale of our family and The Television.


Thrift store treasures

Our final stop was the local thrift store in search of elegant dress up. Now, I never would have chosen a triple knit polyester lime green evening gown with a rhinestone accessory attached to it. But, she felt like her dreams had come true. Add the hat and netting at home, and voila! The costume was complete.


The Cake

We even managed to have a lovely cake, courtesy of my older daughter. It tasted as good as it looks.

In the last year, my nine-year-old has recovered from a broken leg, been in a Josephina play with friends, spent hours playing house in various corners of our property, and been a zesty, interesting, book devouring, happy member of our family. I am grateful for her hugs, her questions, her intellect, and the fact that she is learning to keep her room clean.

Happy birthday, Claire Bear.