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Monday, April 5, 2010

Not Quite the Birthday We Had Planned.

As you all know, Tori turned one on Saturday. We had planned to make it quite the event. The celebration we had put together involved a seven hour car ride, the presence of most of our nearest and dearest, lots and lots of presents and a cake made from scratch by her grandma's loving hands.

But you know that thing they say about life? About how it's what happens when you're making other plans? Yeah. Well, life happened this weekend.

Friday dawned, warm and sunny. But instead of getting the early start we had envisioned, Brian had to go to work for a couple of hours. In the meantime, I was supposed to pack up the car and be ready to go the minute he got home at 10 a.m.

Tori had other plans, and when the appointed hour came, I was anything but ready. But that was okay, because Brian was nowhere in sight. 10:30 came and went. Then 10:45. By the time Brian finally called, my face was beet red from the steam I had built up inside.

Steam I was prepared to let loose in a scathing harangue when I picked up the phone. But before I could start, Brian said, "Guess what? I just got in an accident."

Turns out, his car was in the middle of a three car pileup. Everyone was okay, but by the time we got everything straightened out, it was far too late to head to Michigan.

I had just resigned myself to celebrating her first birthday alone, with just the three of us, when my mom called. No way no how was she missing her granddaughter's first birthday. So instead, she informed me, they would come to us.

The hour was 5:30 p.m. My house was a disaster. We had no food. And Tori? Well Tori had no presents. Or cake. Or anything necessary to celebrate a birthday.

Needless to say, some miracles needed to happen. And quickly.

Thanks to Walmart (yes, it is the seat of the evil empire. but sometimes it's awfully handy), we remedied the present-less, cake-less situation, and filled a cart up with food. I even bought an awesome cake mold to make a giant cupcake.

When Friday ended, I was feeling pretty good.

Then, on Saturday, I woke up with a migraine.

Tori woke up with a new tooth coming through.

I forgot to grease the  pan, so my beautiful cake was ruined.

Tori threw up all over the cute little dress I had picked out for her to wear.

Then the cat threw up on a pile of clean laundry.

Then the toilet brush turned up missing.

There were tears. A lot of tears. And Brian was in no mood to deal with any of us.

It had the makings of a disaster.

But, somehow, everything got done. The house, while still not quite spotless, became presentable.

The second cake (not in the cute pan), looked edible.

And my parents arrived with kisses and hugs for everybody, and a boatload of presents.

Smiles were found. Until...

Brian realized he had forgotten the meat for the hamburgers at the store. There was no dinner.

But you know what? That's why God invented takeout.

Tori had Olive Garden for her first birthday dinner. Then she opened a few of her presents, even playing with them for a while before turning to the boxes they came in.

Happy Birthday was sung (although Tori screamed through the whole thing). And cake was eaten with great relish by young and old alike (no one seemed to notice it lacked the adorable shape of a giant cupcake).

Oh, and I got my champagne.

All in all, it turned out to be a very good first birthday party, even if it wasn't what we had planned. But that's life for you. It always seems to work out in the end.

Hopefully I'll remember that when the birthday insanity hits next year.

12 comments:

  1. I'm glad your husband was okay and that everything turned out okay.

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  2. Oh, no! But, you're right -- everything turned out all right, and maybe next year your plans will go perfectly! Or maybe you'll forego the plans entirely and just stick to champagne...

    Happy belated birthday, Tori!

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  3. Everything happens for a reason. As moms we get so worked up over the littlest things. We are so concentrated on getting everything right, that when it doesn't we kind of loose it. Even in the midst of food poisoning last week, I was trying to pull together Aidyns party. In the end half ot he things I planned didn't get done. I had to allow others to help me, and that wasn't easy. BUT the funny thing is, no one notice that there was no birthday shirt or train shaped cookies. It was perfect just the way it was. :) I think as long as we relax and have fun our kids do too!

    I didn't have champagne, but I had 2 bottles of wine! :) Yes, mommy had a good time (after baby went to bed!)!!!

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  4. Funny how life interjects sometimes, eh? Well... not really funny in this case, but you know what I mean.

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  5. I'm glad it turned out OK in the long run. Even if it wasn't exactly what you wanted, it still sounds like it was a special birthday. And one that you'll never forget.

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  6. Good grief! You are the THIRD person I know in a matter of weeks whose husband got in an accident!!! I am so sorry!!!! Sounds like your baby girl had a fun time, regardless! She was surrounded by those who love her, and that's what matters ;-) By the way, Aiden still screams when we sing Happy Birthday!!!

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  7. Talk about a birthday to remember! Glad everything worked out in the end - I gotta say, Olive Garden for a birthday dinner sounds pretty awesome!

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  8. Awwwe. Not as you had planned, but sweet none the less. It never goes off perfectly. The beauty of life. Happy birthday, precious little girl!

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  9. Blessed be champagne. I am glad it all ended up OK. Now I want Olive Garden breadsticks.

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  10. Happy Birthday, little one! Mama's always remember their babies first birthdays, they are so very special.

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  11. It may not have been exactly what you planned (or close) but sounds like it ended up great anyway. Perfectly imperfect as I like to say. Congrats again to your little one turning one!

    P.S. My first attempt at those cupcake cakes came out looking like a giant boob because of the way the top part stuck in the pan. I feel your pain there.

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  12. Well the important thing is that you were with her and you love her. She doesn't care about cakes, or presents or who else comes-although I am sure she was very excited to see her grandparents;)
    We had a similar experience, although ours revolved around everyone being sick....
    Miss you and love reading your blog!

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