grandpa & ava celebrate

Dad turned um 70-something this year - and we couldn't believe how incredibly fast another birthday approached. I guess we tend to say that about every birthday - but still... it really does feel like it. Every annual celebration seems to remind me, "hey, we were just here weren't we?" And then I quickly count my blessings for all the celebrations we have shared in between.

Since half of my family was traveling overseas on Ava's Birthday in January, and they missed seeing her "turn 4" - we celebrated both Grandpa and Ava's birthday tonight.

Since it was Dad's birthday, we sang our usual "Happy Birthday" chant first for him, and without notice, Dad puffed all the candles out in one breath! [Which as you can see, I wasn't able to capture on camera]. We marveled at his lungs and at the same time, Ava's priceless expression - as she watched the candles extinguish into smoke. We all laughed so hard at this episode, but quickly realized Ava wasn't laughing - Which made Ava's comic dilema into something really hilarious for us all - that even Ava eventually turned her grin into a laughing spell - and we lit the candles again - just for her...

Ava was so ecstatic about the whole ordeal, it was like having another birthday! Chocolate cake - her favorite! And those she loves around her... that she actually thought she turned 5 when she blew out her candles... [smile]







When my sister Roshana was little and had birthday parties - it was always too cold to be outside - so they mostly consisted of indoor festivities. And because we lived in an apartment at the time, we didn't have a tree to hang the beloved game of swinging at a pinata. Except when my little sister turned 7, when my Dad unwillingly held a pinata up for her and her "Macarena-crazed" friends to beat up with a wooden spoon. He didn't realize he was suppose to stand still - and instead, had fun swinging and raising the pinata - challenging and frustrating the little girls to no end... And in return, they instead swatted at my Dad's shins - making him shriek after every swing - and making us cry watching in sheer laughter.

So we asked Dad again - for old times sake - and being the best Dad that he is - he did - and he swung the candy-filled paper mache until we cried with laughter once again... for old times sake...




After they collected all their goodies, we did what Ava loves best - painting...





And the whole family got involved. Because art has a way of bringing everyone to the table with messy creativity...

It was a special day - not just because we laughed a lot that we cried - but because occasions like these are not to be missed - even if you have to throw another party again [thanks to Mom who did all the honors - thank you Mom!] It's just nice to be able to re-create memories for our children so that they have their loved ones around - for moments like these and the everyday.