She's Eighteen for a Moment

Just can't believe it...!

Par-TAY!

In the midst of the holiday shuffle we celebrated two more birthdays, and though her actual date fell on Thanksgiving, Claire graciously deferred the celebration a day on the condition that we go out for fondue. For his part, Jack was laid back about bringing in his fifth year a couple of days early...

90 Candles and Counting

Happy Birthday, Grandmom!
So glad we got to celebrate with you...

Seventeen Again

How did I get to be the mother of a seventeen-year-old? She's been counting the days for months, and we celebrated with a lunch at Left Bank, one of her favorite spots to eat. I have to say, for as grown up as she is now, she's still a kid when the dessert comes. I hope that never changes...

Birthday Boy!

Gotta look spiffy when turning four!

Blink...

...and another year is gone!

Birthday Girl

Tonight I got to celebrate the birthday of my dear friend, Laura, who turned 21 again...! I've known her longer than that, since my first year at UC Berkeley, where we met in French 101. It's so great to have friends to share more than half a life's history with, even if we can't always remember that far back...

Qu'ils Mangent du Gateaux

I didn't ask where this quirky cake came from (it was inscribed HBDMH); I just ate it. A la mode. Maybe this is the year to subscribe to the theory that "Life's too short; eat dessert first."

(photo by Wynham)

Smile and Say "Cheesecake"

Wynham wants cheesecake, Wynham gets cheesecake.
Happy Birthday!

Sweet

Even though Chloe's been talking about this moment for, like, the last 364 days, it's hard to believe the big birthday is, like, finally upon us. Sixteen. Like wow! Better check your rear view mirror. Like now...

Birthday Boy

Watching Jack at his third birthday party was such a joy. He was so thrilled by every little thing, from the cake the cards to the Hot Wheels to the books. He seemed to love it all and be genuinely grateful for the food, the company, and the presents. Jack is just such a sweet kid. Why, oh why do they have to grow up so fast?

Squeal of Fortune

Claire was so thrilled to get the easel she's been begging for on the occasion of her sixth birthday, she squealed with delight. Her presentation of the gifts she received would make Vanna White proud. I lamented to my friend Deb that Claire had already gone through an entire roll of paper, in less than 24 hours. She said, "What are materials in the face of creativity?" Claire obviously agrees with that sentiment: this morning when I suggested she go a little easier on the amount of paper she was using, she replied, "What do expect me to do, Mom? Art is my passion; it's my LIFE!" Sigh. Who am I to stand in the way of greatness?

Aged to Perfection

November is a busy month for birthdays amongst our friends and family. Although Karen says she doesn't like birthdays, you'll have to agree that she looks pretty darn good for thirty-nine-again. She requested steak for dinner and cheesecake for dessert, so we pulled out all the stops and made butter-and-cream mashed potatoes and a Cabernet reduction, too. (Wynham is itching to snag the dregs of the wine glass as soon as I'm not looking...) Going out can be good, but staying home can be better!

Arty Party

Claire's early birthday party happened over the weekend, and of all the partys we've thrown for all the kids, this one was probably the biggest hit. There were eight little girls who spent a couple of hours at Art Start doing fabulous art projects -- sculpting, painting, glitter and glue. They were so wrapped up in what they were doing, it was hard to get them to stop at the end of the afternoon to have a cupcake and head home! See the rest of the photos here.

Teen Talent

Wynham did an amazing job in the supporting role of Chad in High School Musical -- he crooned, he clowned around, he ad-libbed brilliantly when somebody missed her cue -- he's obviously got theater in his veins (hmm, wonder where he got that...). A large group of us went to see the show on the night of Wynham's 13th birthday, and you could tell that he was really having a good time. The evening was topped off by a stunning and creative cake made by our friend, Michele Mason, who manages Sweet Things Bakery. What a way to celebrate!

Book Learnin'

Birthdays are a great excuse for some culinary creativity. My Dad marked the beginning of another year yesterday, and we were lucky enough to celebrate it with him, so I used it as an opportunity to turn another page in my birthday-cake-making book.

Now, everybody has their traditional favorite birthday dinner in our family and you can't mess with that, but as long as the cake is the right flavor, well, anything goes. Since Dad is a writer and we were giving him some reading/writing accessory gifts, I decided to stick with that theme and make a cake that looked like a book. What a novel idea!

It's amazing what you can learn when you get an idea in your head of something you want to do, but have no concept of how to carry it out. Who knew there's a whole culture around edible ink out there? I didn't, until the day before yesterday, but I'm learning quickly. For instance, if you're going to do this kind of thing, you have to have a dedicated printer, or else get someone who does to print your design for you (which is what I did).

I just designed the pages on the home computer and then had them printed on edible rice paper. When you place the paper on your frosted cake, it's supposed to dissolve into the frosting. The piece of paper I had was really thick, so that didn't really happen, but everyone ate it anyway. The cake flavor was a disappointment -- boring chocolate cake with a buttercream that was too sweet -- although the design got rave reviews. I may not make the bestseller list this way, but at least I'm having fun...

Birthday Greetings, Bottle of Wine

Dear Mom,

If you had stayed among us mere mortals, you’d be 64 today. I imagine you’re cavorting with the angels and having a grand fête of your own – you never did go anywhere without taking the party with you – and I’m sure your brand of heaven has Original Wheat Thins and spreadable cheddar, too.

Well we don’t want you to celebrate without us, so first thing this morning we’re going to blast When I’m 64 really loudly on the stereo; I hope you can hear it because I know it’s one of your favorite Beatles songs.

When we get to church, I’ll light a candle for you; I do that almost every Sunday now, but I’ll make a special wish today. Right before communion, your grandkids will put a dollar in the offering plate in your honor, since that’s the birthday tradition at St. Stephen’s. After the service, we’ll go to Guaymas and order those grilled shrimp you always loved.

I don’t want to spoil the surprise, but we have a dozen Sterling roses for you. Can you smell that amazing scent from where you are? Your whole paradise is probably filled with that fragrance. To top everything off, we’ll pop open a bottle of White Star, your bubbly of choice. I’ll probably have your glass if you don’t finish it.

And one last thing, just in case you were wondering about the answer to that question the Beatles keep asking in their song, we DO still need you…

Happy Birthday Marmay, with love,
MH&Co.