We Ate Cake

Have I mentioned that we’re selling our house?  (That was a rhetorical question. . . I know I have.)

Truth is, selling our house has made me slightly neurotic regarding the mess and clutter in our home.  (Okay, if I’m being really honest, before a showing I can be found frantically shoving Charlie’s school papers, random toys, and one or two socks in the kitchen drawers to make it appear that we have no clutter.)   But for the most part, I am vigilant about not making any sort of mess.  For that reason, we kept Meadow’s birthday pretty low key.  Instead of throwing a big sha-bang, we decided to celebrate quietly with just the five of us. 

Since we had a showing on the house mid-morning our “festivities” didn’t start until after Meadow’s nap.  While Meadow slept, Chanelle and I quickly baked Meadow’s a cake.

We were pretty sure that Meadow knew it was her birthday because she only slept for 45 minutes.  We think she knew a few gifts were waiting for her.

It was a nice change of pace from what has been a crazy few months for us.  Just the five of us hanging out at home on a beautiful fall afternoon.

There was no big meal and no big party.

(I’m taking bets now. . . will she hold this against me and in 15 years demand a Super Sweet Sixteen worthy of MTV?). 

There were, however, a few balloons. . .

Oh, and of course, there was cake.

And let me just tell you this. . . Girlfriend knew what to do with cake.

She dove in like she’d done it 100 times before. 

I’m talking full fisted globs, one after the other, and my little one year old was in Heaven.

Meadow wasn’t the only one.  Charlie joined right in.

Well, everyone joined in.

If you want to know when a neighbor crosses the line from being “just a neighbor” to being “family”. . . it’s when she dives in for a bite of cake that is lying on the ground after your three children have demolished it. 

Yes, our Miss Nancy is more than a neighbor.

It’s true, unlike Charlie and Chanelle, there was no big party, no fanfare, and no cars lining our end of the cul-de-sac to celebrate Meadow’s first year of life.  I’m certain, though, that we will not soon forget the scene that marked her special day.

And by the end of the night there was a clear winner. . .

Meadow: 1. . . Cake: 0.

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*The chocolate cake got rave reviews from all who (ate it off the ground.)  Chad, who is not a fan of chocolate loved it, so I thought I’d share the recipe.  You can get it from All Recipes, here.

*My apologies for these photos. . . I was too busy laughing and taking in the scene to worry about the pictures.

*Thank you to the many of who sent texts, emails, and comments wishing our girl a Happy Birthday. 

I could never say it enough. . . thank you for being a part of our life.