Sunday, May 19, 2019

A whole year already

I'm off to a birthday party this afternoon!


It's hard to believe, but little Carsen will be a year old on Tuesday! We all love her to pieces. I'm going to be the boring auntie that always buys books for her. Luckily her mommy and daddy read to her every night, and her nursery has bookshelves with her very own collection of books being built. I do hope she will love reading as she grows! I have a couple of books here at my home that I plan to read to her when she's big enough to stay over: The Complete Tales of Winnie the Pooh, The Velveteen Rabbit, a beautifully illustrated hardback copy of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, and a first edition of Dinotopia. I also have the first 5 books of the Little House series in one hardback edition, but once she's old enough to read I plan to buy her a set of those of her own. A child that loves books is always my favorite kind of child!

Carsen's main gift today is a beautiful hardback book of Mother Goose rhymes. I spent the better part of the afternoon at the bookstore yesterday looking for just the right thing. The illustrations are gorgeous in this book and I hope they capture Carsen's imagination as she grows!


And so that she would have at least one book that she can hold (and drool on) right away, I bought her another book made for toddlers. It features squishy, crinkle-y sea animals: turtles, crabs, sharks, whales, and sea horses. I chose it since her "uncle" Gregg is known for his love of animals found in the water.


As I wrapped the books yesterday Gregg remarked on what a lucky little girl she is--to have so many people that love her and want to make her happy. I suspect today's party will be extra nice. For one thing, Marla and Toyo wouldn't agree to any kind of baby shower or party before Carsen was born. As some of you may remember, their first baby only lived a few days and never got to come home to the fully furnished nursery and the dozens of gifts waiting for her. Their caution during the next pregnancy was understandable, and so there hasn't been any special event for Carsen until now. Marla and (especially) Toyo have large families that dote on the baby, and lots and lots of friends, too. In addition, they just bought a new house last month and will be eager to show it off. Their move was so recent that I haven't even seen the place yet.

I'm so happy for their little family: a beautiful little girl with a first birthday to celebrate, a new home with space for their growing family where they can make a fresh start, and lots of friends and family to celebrate their good fortune with.

So I'm off to a birthday party! Have a great Sunday, everyone.


16 comments:

  1. Oh, the joy of reading books with children! There is nothing better. Well, not much at least.
    Honestly, I can't believe that little child is already a year old. Time is speeding by too fast.
    You are going to be the best auntie. I know that. I hope the party is full of joy.

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    1. The party was full of....people. Lots and lots of people. I counted 29 adults and 13 children. It was overwhelming to me, honestly. I was glad to make my escape.

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  2. So much to celebrate and I love your book choices and the books you will be reading to her.

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    1. I have so many books in mind for that little girl!

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  3. Carsen is lucky to have an Auntie Jennifer.

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    1. Carsen is overwhelmed with Aunties and Uncles, both by blood and by friendship. She'll never want for love or attention, that's for sure.

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  4. What lovely and thoughtful gifts.

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    1. Thank you Sue. I've always loved books and reading and want to share that love with the baby.

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  5. Have a great time! Books are always the greatest gift!!

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    1. I think they're good and lasting gifts! Although a rocking horse little Carsen received was probably the best gift, in my opinion anyway. :)

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  6. I hope the party exceeded your expectations.

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  7. Books are always a great gift. Carsen is lucky to have an aunt like you!

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  8. It really doesn't seem a year since you reported her arrival. The Mother Goose book looks perfect; good illustrations are so important.

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  9. How wonderful! I had a collection of childrens' books from my childhood and later that I always kept around for our friends' kids. I gave them away before we moved to Spain and I regret that now. I wish I had all those English-language classics to read to and with Luke.

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