When my children were small, we celebrated birthdays all week. We even had a hoky song I made up which repeated the line, "It's Ashley's (or Tristan's) birthday week!", over and over. And, so it was with little Margaret. She was not sure what a birthday was, but the days of fun leading up to it were exciting and she knew it was not a "normal" day. 
Margaret is particularly fond of "nicnics" (her term for a picnic) and she is equally fond of being playing by the lake. Therefore, having a "nicnic" by the beach seemed the best venue for her 2nd birthday party.Part of the fun is planning her cake. Ashley does not make your typical box cake, nor does she depend on the local grocery bakery. Each cake is unique and made from scratch. This year Margaret's cake was to be a coconut layer cake with a hint of orange in the cream and topped with fluffy white icing and garnished with coconut. When I say "made from scratch", I mean MADE FROM SCRATCH.... made from a coconut. There is no buying ready-made, grated coconut for Ashley. Grandpa Canter carefully drilled the holes and all of us tried the milk. Margaret was not really impressed with the drink. Then the coconut was cracked and the flesh removed and grated. It was a marvelous cake and Margaret was quite fond of it.
At the appointed time, we gathered at the water's edge and played with Margaret as Papa grilled the chicken and corn-on-the-cob. Margaret, now being 2, displayed her own preferences and opinions. She adamantly refused to wear a swim suit as she played gleefully with the water toys.Margaret has a penchant for watermelon, eating at least 3 pieces ~ just WHERE does she put it?
The sun was setting quickly, and after we feasted we still had more partying to do, so all of us returned to the common for cake, home made ice cream and gifts.After a quick clean up and a change of clothes, it was time for Margaret to open her gifts. She was cute as a button as she walked across the grass in her new lady bug dress. She quickly realized this exciting day was not over yet! Not only were there balloons, but cake and things wrapped in pretty paper.
She was more fun than a clown carrying balloons and so completely adorable as she carried her butterfly bouquet around the common.
What an adorable flirt ~ so much like her mama when she was that age.
I am not sure who Ioved watching most ~ Margaret or Ashley. Margaret is so much like her mother and it was complete joy for me, not only to watch the sweetness of Margaret, but to watch my daughter relish in being a mother and watching, with satisfaction, the joy her daughter was experiencing. I could not take my eyes off Ashley.
This picture says it all. I believe I can say without doubt, a great time was had by all. Next year, when Margaret is 3, I think she will have a better idea of what fun a birthday will be.
Wee Helen slept through the entire party!
Thank you, Lord, for the gift of my daughter and the years of her childhood. Continue to give her abundant grace as she treasures these years with her girls. Bless them, keep them, preserve them.
