Sunday, May 3, 2015

Vienne's 7th Birthday

This past Friday, May 1st, we "celebrated" what would've been Vienne's 7th Birthday.  This year was harder for me, leading up to it.  I had a very sensitive and emotional month.  There are just so many reminders that she is not here, during this season.  In April, we have Miriam's birthday (our niece), my birthday, and Easter…all while planning and anticipating Vienne's coming birthday…and then Mother's Day the week after.  

I just wanted to be planning a normal 7 year old little girl's party.  As I was planning this event, I found myself wondering what Vienne would be in to, now…for certainly it could no longer be dinosaurs.  Sometimes, I find myself tired of the dinosaurs because I know that if she was alive, she would be onto something new.  Who would her friends be?  What color cake would she have wanted?

This year, I focused more on a hydrangea theme for Vienne's party.  I felt that was more suitable for a 7 year old little girl.  The decorations turned out lovely.  I don't have many photos from the park because once people arrive, I am swept up in the flurry of greeting and hugging everyone.  I love it and I hate it.  It is extremely overwhelming for me…but, of course, at the same time I want all those people there and I want to see them.  I wish I had a photo of myself in the lovely dress that I found - a vintage garden party dress with flowers in blues and greens.  It was so reminiscent of Vienne and her style.  Ivy wore a blue little dress that was her Sister's.  Ivy kept asking if Sissy was going to come down from Heaven for her party.  :(

It is the 3rd year we have celebrated without her and as time goes on, I can see how this event will become less important to others…but for us, this is the most important event of the year.  For some, I saw how it was almost an obligation to come - bummer….but for others, the new people we included in the invite, we saw a renewed excitement and that was refreshing.  We will carry this tradition on for the rest of our lives.  

We met at Summerlake Park this year - another one of V's favorites.  It was yet again another beautiful sunny day, just for her.  We had 75 people turn out this year!  

(I challenged myself to make blue and green hydrangea cupcakes.  I am pretty damn proud of how they turned out!)

part of the table set up

isn't this lovely?  Check out that awesome hydrangea paper I scored at an art store!

true to Portland-style - we provided a selection of grain free, gluten free, or vegan cupcakes.  Cuz that's how we roll.

Vienne's buddies had to try some bites.








hidden dinos


in the evening, we had a picnic dinner with family at Vienne's other park - the one with the bench plaque.

eating pizza in V's all-time favorite shirt!


frisbee!

then, the next day we drove to Cannon Beach and spent the entire day playing in the sand and sun.  It was a perfect day.

Miri and Ivy playing in the sand.  

horses on the beach!





I love photos of Daddy and Daughter walking together.  And, I love those little bunzers.

(do you see a resemblance??  heheh…these are Vienne's buns)  :)

That's about it.  Did any of you celebrate May Day for Vienne this year?





10 comments:

  1. This is all so beautiful!!! It was all so elegant and precise. We are at Summerlake Park weekly, I hope to run into one of her treasures! We built a garden bed on May Day and planted in Vienne's honor. Take care hun.

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  2. PS, I am obsessed with toddler bunzers. That and their little shoulder blades...down right edible.

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  3. I found this blog because Julie left a comment on one of my posts. I was trying to respond to her wonderful books suggestions but she is a no reply status although I did notice this blog listed on her profile site. She mentioned she lost a granddaughter and I wondered if this is her. I just want you to know that I've been so incredibly touched by what I see here in your posts. As a mother, I am weak kneed as I read your story about your beautiful daughter Vienne and I am so very sorry for your loss. My god. There are no words...I do want to say that.this entire party with the gift of dinosaurs is such an amazing way to celebrate her life and to keep her loving spirit alive.
    You sound like such a special woman.
    Leslie

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