We were off to Novato to celebrate Alex's birthday! We'd already given her her present, a Fisher-Price play table, but since I got a la-a-a-a-a-mb that b-a-a-a-a-ah'ed, for a whopping 50 cents at the church rummage sale, we did take that along. I also took baby pictures of me and Roni to show the other grandma and Aunt Elizabeth.

Alex wasn't awake when we first came. She was interested to see all the people. She especially liked seeing her other grandma, and when "Mo" handed her off to me, she wanted to go back. Later she was happy to be with me. She wore a linen dress the other grandma found her in a "grandma trap."

People were leaving by the time they got to present unwrapping. There were lovely things. Many toys, of course, and paper to play with and boxes. One had a tweeting robin on it. Roni had been to a toy party and picked out a blue bumpy ball that all the children had loved, and one of the other children picked it up and such a GLARE from Alex! I don't know why it's so special, but it obviously is.

The 4-yr-old neighbor told us how the toy he'd picked out works. There were lots of babies. Great party! I saw Roni's old friend from college: I never would have thought 15 years ago that they'd still be friends.

We stayed around after others left for a little while, took some of the food home, and got home about 7 or so. There was an annoying phone call from Bernadette. Apparently Robert can't get a message from work on his cell phone, or here, so they'll have to stay in Oregon another day. They won't be here till Wednesday. It feels like Robert has managed to avoid us for another day. Grrr.

"Lips that kiss Saudi butt can kiss my vote goodbye".