Martin's Birthday Party

Among my earliest memories is going to childhood parties given by friends of my parents. It was oddly disorienting bringing a gift to wishing a happy birthday to some kid I barely knew, but thrilling as well, as if I got to sneak into a party, with all its attendant benefits, on a technicality.

So, the tradition continues, as we took Athena and Zoe to the first birthday party of Martin, the second boy of Michael, a friend in my writing group.

Athena and Zoë were thrilled at the prospect of meeting some kids their own age. Here Athena learns that Michael's oldest Morgan shares her love of and fascination with birthday cakes:





Here Zoë makes friends with the birthday boy Martin and even plants a big, wet birthday kiss on his head when he wasn't looking.




Morgan, however, was less than thrilled with having to share the spotlight with yet another one year old.



All too familiar with sibling rivarly, we made sure to get a little something for non-birthday boy Morgan. Here he is enjoying his new toy, a bubble gun, and wherever there are bubbles, Athena is sure to be close by (although not always in a cowboy hat).





Here Athena and Zoë enjoy free access to their hosts' toys:





And Michael was kind enough to introduce Athena to their pet bunny.



And here Zoë displays her natural and (never ending) curiousity. This time in Mommy's drink.