Today was a laid-back Sunday for the whole family, except for Laura. She was on-call and not only had clinic Saturday, but had to visit the hospital each morning--and during the night on emergency all of the three weekend nights. But, in spite of it all, she shopped and she and Zachary made a birthday strawberry shortcake for Arlo's first birthday. He was actually one on April 1.
With the candle blown out with the help of his family, he reaches for it. When the tray was put on his chair and the shortcake placed before him, you can guess what happened next. For all of us who have photographed first birthday cakes, they are among very precious memories of childhood, regardless of the mess.
And here is brother Zach "stirring" the flour mixture for the shortcake part of Arlo's special concoction. He also helped whip cream for the very first time. As I look back on raising kids, I don't think I was as patient as Laura and Joe are about helping them participate in the kitchen.
And there's the happy family engaged in the birthday experience. Though you can't see her, Elowa the dog was very nearby hoping for overflow, which there was. (I'll admit I gave her a lick of my own whipped cream when no one was looking.)
