Grand Day

When I was One,
I had just begun.
When I was Two,
I was nearly new.
When I was Three
I was hardly me.
When I was Four,
I was not much more.
When I was Five, I was just alive.
But now I am Six, I'm as clever as clever,
So I think I'll be six now for ever and ever. 
~A.A. Milne, Now We Are Six 

Yesterday was Olivia's first birthday. It amazes me that it's been a whole year now since she entered our lives. The Amazing (Grandpa) Bob and I weren't able to make the party but we'll celebrate with her when she's here next. Olivia needs to learn the art of the extended, cake filled birthday celebration and TAB and I are just the right cake lovers to teach her this very important lesson!

So be sure when you step, Step with care and great tact. And remember that life's A Great Balancing Act. And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and ¾ percent guaranteed) Kid, you'll move mountains.
~Dr.Seuss, Oh, The Places You'll Go!

In other Grand news, Madison and Julianna were visiting (with their MOST beautiful, fabulous-o, smartest, bestest mother ever, Helen). We shopped for Easter dresses, spent time in the pool (them) and hot tub (me and, mein Gott, that was heaven and JUST what I needed!), lunched at Captain FishHeads and hung out in Valhalla.

The girls found a way through the snow mounds down to the beach—this over my maelstrom of fret. Even if you can get past the walls of snow, there's ice on the seawall steps! You'll slip and fall! Be careful! Hold tight to the railing! Yeah, I was in Fuss Overdrive. Helen, of course, was much calmer. I believe that's one of her super powers—maintaining a tranquil composure in the face of adventurous, lively bairn.

I only mention it but Grands are sure fire smile inducers. Julianna always blows my mind with her wild antics. I believe the girl's gonna be a rock climbing, trapeze swinging, new worlds exploring titan when she's a bit older—like, next year maybe. Madison will compose the next radical Rite of Spring. She'll be the next Schiele (without the early death, thanks!).

Greatness abides.