The 1st Birthday Party

For his entrance into his party (after his prefunc nap) I gussied him up in a white tux that our friend Peg had sent him. I set him down in the entryway not realizing that I set him down on a red carpet. He preened. Cameras flashed. His paparazzi said, “Hey Sam look over here.” I thought he might crumble under the glare, but the kid thinks he’s George Clooney.

 

The party that almost wasn’t turned out great. We had some problems with location (no heat at the lodge), but Nana saved the day with her condo clubhouse. Dad made chili and Mom made cornbread. We had deserts galore—Joyce made her signature dish Baklava and Mom baked the traditional chocolate chiffon cake originally made for the celebration of Uncle Scott’s birthday and now continues forth with Sam’s birthday. If you notice, on this cake the candles read “Happy Retirement”. Mommy and Daddy picked out the wrong candles at Party City. My dad who is perpetually retiring but never does thought it was fantastic that his grandson could retire at 1.

 

Sam received a galaxy of toys. One of my favorite gift was a t-shirt that said, “I do my own stunts” (thank you Ann, Rose, Claire, and Nick).

The Guests

Sam’s party guests were asked to write a memory of the last year or a hope for his future. These index cards inscribed with memory and hope will be read by Sam…well…when he can read. Some guests abstained—his great grandmothers (who I had hoped would leave a little note for Sam to read in the future). I’ll dog them until they do it. But everyone else participated. There were some very sweet messages as you will see in the pictures. Grandma Joyce wrote “stay close with all your family” and my mom wrote, “taking your first two steps when Mom and Gram let go for a second” (Grandma Gert—how her nieces refer to her—filled up 20 index cards. Never ask a writer to jot down a thought. It turns into a cavalcade).

 

One of my favorites was from two year old cousin Owen (we’re still wondering who his ghost writer was—Uncle Matt): “Sam, Keep the beers cold and the chicks hot!!! Your Buddy Owen—Have a Good Summer”.

 

If you weren’t at the party, you can still participate. Jot down a memory or hope and send them along to me lollily@aol.com. I’ll save them for Sam to read.

And Introducing Sam's Newest Peop

Since the last blog entry Sam has been joined by another cousin—Brayden Alexander Palinski. That makes 11 for the Ferguson clan. Joyce is looking for an even dozen—a not so subtle nudge in Dave and my direction. Unfortunately Dr. Gong has retired but I found a new old Chinese man—Dr. Wu. He’s not the sorcerer Dr. Gong was but he’s kindly and knows his needles. Wish us luck. Sam likes new peops.

Twas the Season

Sam has had a tremendous holiday season. Now and then Mommy misses the motel-like apt. she lived in up on Phinney Ridge—teriyaki and videos sometimes sound good and peaceful. Balance—impossible to incorporate into life. We trick or treated with Caeley and Soph; Uncle Scott and Tiffani (Sam’s new girlfriend. Loved her.) blew into town for his birthday; Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve we spent with some of the first cousins once removed at Gram’s house; and Christmas day with the first cousins. Sam loved Christmas evening. The presents weren’t all that interesting but his cousins rushing around with colorful boxes thrilled him. He stood up, raised his arms, and screamed “Whoo”. He’s ready for his first sporting event.