Birthday Party

[celticdragonfly]

We had a marvelous birthday party for Maggie today. Lots of her friends came. The Tyras - Gerry, Sandy, Rhiannon, and Sean - were there, and LeeAnn and Paul Taylor, and Louann Miller came with Andrew, who'll be three himself next month, and Sarah Berry with Gabrielle, who was three in February and is Maggie's special friend.

There was much food, conversation, and Maggie getting attention. It was wonderful, I'm so glad so many people came. I took some pictures - I'm realizing I didn't get pictures of a lot of the people who were here, I was mostly focusing on Maggie. Go here for pictures and captions with commentary:
http://pics.livejournal.com/celticdragonfly/pic/0000kw7h/g8

What a marvelous day for them.

selenite is such a dear, he set up the play structure so I can keep an eye on them from my computer chair inside.

We must remember to be paranoid about the gate, though. After everyone was gone the kids were playing outside a bit while selenite and I fixed dinner. selenite suddenly looked panicked and headed out the back door at a run, so I followed - turned out he'd seen a wisp of white go by through the kitchen bay window, which looks out the side yard just past the gate. The gate was open and no kids - we ran out and found them in front, Jamie in the street! EEEEEEK. Fortunately no cars around, we scooped them up, tried to impress on Maggie how badly she scared us, and took them inside.

Really reminds me how lucky I am, to have these two wonderful little ones.

Comments

Gate issues

[the-blue-fenix.livejournal.com]

We must remember to be paranoid about the gate, though. After everyone was gone the kids were playing outside a bit while [info]selenite and I fixed dinner. [info]selenite suddenly looked panicked and headed out the back door at a run, so I followed - turned out he'd seen a wisp of white go by through the kitchen bay window, which looks out the side yard just past the gate. The gate was open and no kids - we ran out and found them in front, Jamie in the street! EEEEEEK. Fortunately no cars around, we scooped them up, tried to impress on Maggie how badly she scared us, and took them inside.

Almost all gates have some sort of loop arrangement that will allow you to put a padlock on it. We went to a hardware store and bought a spring clip (like on the end of a dog leash -- found near ropes and chains and pulleys) to fit through those loops on each gate. It takes quite a bit of finger strength to defeat and is weatherproof. Andrew hasn't gotten through ours yet, and you know what a little Bam-Bam he is.

Alternately, a twist of heavy wire through the same loops if you yourself don't need to get through the gate often.

Scary situation, glad selenite was so alert.

Re: Gate issues

[celticdragonfly.livejournal.com]

There is a spot for a padlock. We used to have a padlock on there - but then I had to keep taking it off for the pros to mow last year (now Karl does it), and then there was all the bringing stuff in and out of the backyard to build the shed, etc., and we've gotten out of the practice of it.

Given that LeeAnn ended up locked out of the house with the kids, just as well the padlock wasn't there - at least she had the option to go to the neighbors who gave her water and such.

But yeah, something to latch it better would be good. It does stay latched pretty well, but you have to SLAM it closed to get it to latch.

[joyeuse13.livejournal.com]

Hudson, because he's a bay...oooh...ouch. The play fort looks like a lot of fun; too bad I'm too big for the slide. :(

What wondeful pictures! You've given Ubermom a leg up. :)

[woobiewoobster.livejournal.com]

Great photos! Happy Birthday Maggie!