Happy, happy, birthday, Little Miss Clementine Merriweather Davenport. And a happy, happy birthday to my aunt, Ruth, as well. The morning Clementine was born, Ben called up my Aunt Ruthie (that's what I've called her all my life, can't bear to call her anything else) and said, "Happy Birthday, Ruth!"
She said, surprised, "Why, how nice of you to remember!" (Ben and I aren't exactly known for keeping up with birthdays...I should change that...anyway:)
Ben said, "I thought you might like to hear that you have a brand new baby niece to share a birthday with from now on."
Well, my aunt thought that was just wonderful. I could hear her delight through Ben's side of the conversation over the phone. My dad's side of the family is very sentimental like that, in a good way. They are the kind of people that stand in the driveway waving when you leave the house till long after the car is out of sight. They are the kind that call up and sing "happy birthday" to you on the phone, and if you don't answer, leave a message of them singing it instead. They are the thoughtful sort that thinks all birthdays are deserving of breakfast in bed, no matter what the age of the birthday person.
Of course I know this since I grew up in the same town as my aunt (and the rest of her family) and was always treated very special by them on my birthday, and so many other days. I thought it was great that Clementine shared a birthday with my aunt.
This year, for her first birthday, and Clementine's being the last one year birthday I would celebrate of my children, I wanted to make sure I did something special to commemorate it. And four days before her birthday, I came up with the perfect thing: a party for Clementine, with a surprise guest of honor, her aunt.
Naturally this fell on the weekend of Grace's big concert, with a camping trip to follow in a few days, and a humungous move to Denmark after that. It made perfect sense to throw everything together like that.
I'm impulsive, and I always have been. I could blame it on my husband's influence on me (he's the same way) but I'm afraid it wouldn't be fair to do that, since I have been this way my whole entire life. If an idea occurs to me I generally just try to do it without putting much thought into the logistics of it.
By Sunday morning, the day the party was to take place, I had done basically nothing to prepare for the party, but between my parents, my sisters, and my kids, we had transformed the yard by noon and beautiful cakes, homemade pesto, zucchini from the garden, and fresh bread were all made. We brought our couch outside, a coffee table, and thanks to Grace's concert the night before, had several bouquets of flowers with which to decorate the tables in the yard.
It was such a lovely party.
I have to say, Clementine was the perfect one year old. She did exactly what one expects a one year old to do at their first birthday party, but seldom does. She was awake and cheerful through the entire thing. She visited with people and tolerated being held by, what were to her, strangers. No, she didn't blow out her candle, but she was wide eyed and happy to stare at it in a mesmerized fashion.
She immediately grabbed the raspberries off the plate and popped them in her mouth, despite all the faces staring at her and cameras aimed at her (I've known many a baby to burst into tears at this point or be completely camera shy and just sit there, uncertain what to do). She picked at the cake and smeared frosting over herself, and plopped most of it on the ground, to the delight and entertainment of her guests. Hardly a bite was actually eaten.
Once cleaned up, she sat on Grace's lap for the opening of the gifts, and seemed to know exactly how to open them, and that we all expected her to. She tore open the paper and inspected the box to see what was inside. She appropriately appreciated each gift by hugging the stuffed animals, admiring the new dress, glancing curiously at the new duplos, and adoring the new books. One stuffed animal, a giant stuffed fish, she did not appreciate. She seemed frightened by its large eyes and mouth and pushed it away, frustrated. This, however, brought a rousing laugh out of everyone, so she continued those antics for quite some time.
In summary, the party went just how I had hoped it would, and had worried it wouldn't the night before, when I realized all the preparation that needed to be done the next day.
Clementine, my darling, I've loved every day that you have been with us, from the moment I first knew I was expecting you, to your birth, to your very first birthday, and every day in between. You bring joy and delight to all those around you and we are so privileged to have you in our family. It's been a year now, that I've enjoyed looking into the lives of my seven children. At times it's crazy, hectic, loud, messy, and disorganized, but at other times it's peaceful, cozy, fun, fascinating, educational, and comforting. I wouldn't wish for my life to be any other way than what it is right now, mothering these seven darlings every single day.
