Well, at half an hour into January 2nd, the party is still in full swing at the Heidmann Hacienda!  2013 started early, leaving the house about 7:10 for an 8:30 a.m. mass.  What a beautiful start to the year, celebrating the feast of Mary, Mother of God! After mass, we headed for home with an additional passenger in the car.  Laurent had invited two church friends to come over for the day and overnight to celebrate her 18th birthday.  Amelia rode along with us home again, while Sarah joined us later after she went home to pick up her things.  While waiting for Sarah, I popped the baby quiches in the oven, and when she arrived we had a lovely brunch, including a variety of coffee cakes, gluten-free Australian seed cakes, and the delicious quiches.  Geneva even whipped up some of her signature scrambled eggs for our guest who is GF, and everyone was more than satisfied.

Soon it was time for Paul to take all five of the girls on an expedition.  Laurent’s plan was to go to Encanto Park, walk around, take pictures, and ride in the paddle boats.  After they finished there, I have been given to understand they went downtown to take more “epic pictures”.  Paul is one great daddy to spend the afternoon chauffeuring that pack of giddy girls around town. 🙂

I must admit, I am just beginning to feel some pangs of loosening of the apron strings in one particular area.  I sent my crew out the door today with their own cameras, with the knowledge that I, the camera queen of the family, am no longer exclusively in control of how our family history is being documented.  However, I’m excited to see the sights they saw through their lenses, whenever they get them processed.

I was able to get a wee nap in this afternoon before the girls came home, and then set to work preparing the rather simple meal Laurent had requested for her birthday: Sweet and Sour meatballs, Basmati Rice, Fresh Veggies and Dip, and Li’l Smokies in a Blanket.  Supper was served amidst a game of Canasta that simply could not be interrupted.  Later our friend Jenny stopped by, and joined us for cake, ice cream, and sparkling cider.

Since then, there have been movies, cartoons, trips outside to sit on the trampoline and howl at the moon, and enough cackling and hooting and screeching to wake the dead.  I don’t know how my husband sleeps through it.   I’ll close with the precious few images I grabbed amidst all the hoopla, and with them a big

HAPPY 18th BIRTHDAY

to my sweet firstborn daughter!!