Slumber Birthday Party

[smallestopener]

The tea party room in the House of Arch has been re-arranged. The chests of dress-up clothes are still there, but the large table is gone. In its place are comfy, overstuffed chairs, a long sofa, and several cushions and bean bags scattered about. There is a small table loaded with snacks like crisps, dips, cupcakes, candy, and soda. There's also a veggie tray and cheese and crackers for all of those over age eight.

An old model TV hooked up to VCR is set up with several video cassettes of movies such as The Aristocats, Sleeping Beauty, Shirley Temple classics, and other fun viewing choices.

Tom and Door have been busy escorting guests into the House, if they didn't already have access on their own, and the birthday girl greets them with squeeful happiness. Megwyn is already there, standing by a basket of fresh hay and apples. Even Companions need treats.

She is wearing pajamas with unicorns on them with a fluffy yellow robe on over. She is very excited and feeling very grown up. She's going to stay up all night.

Comments

Re: Grown up thread

[kitchen_maid]

Susan has drifted off on top of one of the bean bags, giving Amy a chance for some grown up conversation.

"Good evening, Alanna."

Re: Grown up thread

[the_lioness]

There's icing on her upper lip; Alanna feels it, but smiles at Amy before wiping it off.

"Hullo, Amy. How do you fare?"

Re: Grown up thread

[kitchen_maid]

If a cupcake is worth eating, it's worth getting frosting on your face for.

"Very well, Alanna. How are you?"

Re: Grown up thread

[the_lioness]

Alanna clearly agrees!

"I'm well," she says. "Busy, but thankfully I thrive on activity. Adam requires more sleep than I do."

Re: Grown up thread

[kitchen_maid]

Amy grins. "If you've got to thrive on something, activity is probably not a bad thing to thrive on.

"Do you know, I don't think we've spoken since my brother's wedding. There seem to have been a great many arrivals since then."

Re: Grown up thread

[the_lioness]

"We haven't!"

She looks surprised at the realization, but only briefly; the months have started to blend together in her memory.

"All three arrived safe and sound, though it was touch and go with Jamie for a while. He was smaller than Thom and Grace. They are a handful, but we love them dearly. Adam has only threatened to trade them for dogs once."

Re: Grown up thread

[kitchen_maid]

"I'm quite glad to hear that, anc congratualtions to you and to Adadm. Though I tell you, Alanna, I can't imagine having three at once. Having the one is occasionally still completely overwhelming."

Amy looks over at Susan with a smile.

"And the second one's on the way now, too."

Re: Grown up thread

[the_lioness]

"Really? Well, that's splendid news. Congratulations to you as well!"

She waves her hand in a distracted gesture.

"It's probably good I had them all at once. The more shocked I am, the more likely I am to come out swinging. Or changing diapers, as the case may be."

Re: Grown up thread

[kitchen_maid]

"Thank you," says Amy.

"And I hadn't thought of it like that, but it makes a good deal of sense.

"How old are they now?"

Re: Grown up thread

[the_lioness]

"They were born in February, so only a few months. And what of your daughter?" She smiles at the little girl, who looks much older than Alanna expected, but such is the way of the bar. "She's lovely."

Re: Grown up thread

[kitchen_maid]

"That's a wonderful age. You still can't quite believe they're real. And yours."

She beams at Alanna.

"Isn't she?" says Amy. "I think Perry's still sorry she didn't get the freckles and the turned up nose, just a bit.

"Susan was a year in March, and it's early May at home now. So, a year and two months, give or take. She chatters all the time now."

There's a sudden grin. "That, at least, she inherited from her mother."

Re: Grown up thread

[the_lioness]

Alanna laughs.

"Adam was pleased that Grace is a redhead, but I think he's starting to feel concerned over the stubbornness and recklessness that tends to go with it, in my family." She pauses. "I cannot wait for them to start talking. I hope mine chatter as well."

Re: Grown up thread

[kitchen_maid]

Amy laughs, too. "Some stubbornness is a good thing, and even a little recklessness.

"There is absolutely nothing like the first time they say your name."

Re: Grown up thread

[the_lioness]

"I'm very much looking forward to it."

Alanna is self-aware enough to know that she does much better with older children. She's torn between wanting to keep them small forever and the desire to have a conversation with them.

"How are things in your kingdom?"