Birthday Party

These are only some of the kids at church that fight over who gets to hold/play with Elena next. The middle picture is Elena eating her healthy vegan cake. Since her birthday fell during Lent, Serena baked a marvelous cake that actually tasted great! Very moist too. I got to do the writing on it thanks to my Palmer method (NOBODY will remember what that is) penmanship. Gosh, is that word even in the English language anymore??? Serena did the cute flowers on it. I was happy there was no icing, since I remember Steve pushing the "eject" button with his "Cookie Monster" cupcakes on his birthday one year. Lots of blue icing everywhere. Not pretty. Not your fault Steve, that icing was way too much, cute but not to be eaten in toto. The cake on the left is a cake for Father Mark Haas, whose birthday is close to Elena's.

Brilliant Baby

My cousins Richard and Rose Adolino sent Elena a lovely fork and spoon set from Williamsburg, VA. Elena took right to that spoon with some oatmeal, secure as always in her Papa's arms. (He did later say laughingly that her dumping oatmeal all over him was "disturbing his peace.") Excellent food gathering skills! Of course, her UCLA sweatshirt, a gift from Crystal Kazmierski, portends her academic future.

Elena in Serena's dress

This is the little munchkin in a dress of Serena's that I had saved. I only wish I had saved more!

One year old!!!

This is Elena with her daddy Erich's beautiful chameleon hazel eyes looking quite green in her little lizardesque sleeper. Serena and I couldn't believe it looked so big on the hanger, but it's just an 18 month size. The second picture shows her spontaneous joyful grin. She is a very happy little soul. Behind her are her new shelves for her books, playthings and Montessori tools. She putting the old phone to good use. I just came back from a marvelous almost week- long visit. Lee was very jealous, since he didn't get to come, so we are flying back for a weekend soon.