5.Versluys'.us

Being the devoted mother I am, I spent several months in preparation for the celebration of my eldest daughter’s 2nd birthday.

I invited every one of her church/playgroup buddies and their parents, siblings, and pets to an extravagant affair at the Tapestry House, which was rented out for the occasion.

The cake was 6 layers of raspberry-filled chocolate covered in purple fondant and hundreds of painstakingly applied tiny yellow flowers.

Roma made her grand entrance in a haute couture ensemble, bowing and waving to the adoring crowds.

As you might have guessed, I’m totally kidding.

Let’s just say that in the hullaballoo that surrounded Quincy’s birth, Mama being sick for the first couple weeks post-birth, Eric and Annette’s graduations, and Quincy’s baptism… Roma’s birthday was a little low on the planning totem pole just because of the sheer numbers.

That is NOT to say that my darling firstborn does not deserve the aforementioned party of the century. However, she was also only turning TWO years old, which means I can get away with a lot more flying by the seat of my pants.

In spite of the fact that we decided to throw her a party at the last minute, her birthday was exceptionally fun and came together quite well.

Roma received a large box in the post from the aunts and uncles (and Nonna and G-Dad too), and almost didn’t have enough birthday day in which to open all the gifts it contained. We started in the morning just after breakfast with a couple presents, and then saved the rest for the party in the evening. In retrospect, I’d probably have been better off letting her open a couple more at lunch to whittle down the task – she was getting glassy-eyed by the time she finished the giant task of unwrapping her loot that night.

A boat from Uncle Gavin, and cookies from Uncle Declan

And later… a full gardening set from Nonna, purse from Aunt Mo, and pink Crocs from Oma and Grandpa.

The party was well attended, since all the guests headed over to Annette’s house in Greeley afterward to attend her graduation party. That’s the Versluyses for you – crazy party hoppers, those ones.

We enjoyed the company of all three of Roma’s great-grandparents on Eric’s side – Great-Grandpa and Great-Grandma Versluys had arrived in Colorado from Michigan the day before, and Eric’s Oma Otten was out visiting from Bakersfield for a couple weeks. Roma has taken to her Great-Gs very well, and had a wonderful time playing with the grandmothers and asking Great-Grandpa to “hold you!”

Uncle Steve (“Coco Dees” to Roma) and Aunt Lori Jonker came as well with Beth and Leah. Steve bugs the heck out of Roma, but I know she adores him in spite of the fake whine she manufactures when he comes near. Check out the photos from her birthday gallery – Steve’s the one sitting next to her in several shots. They’re pals.

Our dinner (hamburgers, especially for a Roma whose favorite food is “hambursh”) and cake were enjoyed by all, and it was fun to finally have a kid who can open her own presents and entertain us with her reactions to the goodies.

All in all, I’d say Roma had a fantastic birthday. It was a great way to celebrate the sweet little girl who has made all our lives so much “funner” (no, she hasn’t started saying that yet, but I’m already looking ahead to the upcoming year and many grammar gaffes).

Oh, and did I mention Roma’s a pyro? No?

Well, she is.

“Fire!” is Roma’s immediate response to any suggestion of birthday cake.