Are we ready?
It came off without a hitch. Did I stress just a tad about it? Mmmmmm, more like a tremendous tad! Why? I had originally wanted to have friends and family just pop in for some cake and a toast to Tatum’s first year celebration. However, without a kitchen and with the house in utter disarray, this was not an option. So, the next step was to find a neutral place where people could come and go and especially where Tatum could be comfortable. A one-year old on the verge of walking does not do well just sitting quietly nor does she stand in one place; she is a mini-crab crawling in every direction attempting to walk. It’s not an easy age to manage! Therefore, the McCormick Railroad Park was the best choice.
Now, the park has multiple ramadas to reserve, yet they were BOOKED until January. Ok…sure, now what? Well, I had to figure the week of Thanksgiving right after work on Monday or Tuesday would be perfect for getting one, without a reservation; just show up. Tuesday at 4:30pm was perfect. I did have school that day, but I would leave early, pick up the cake etc, grab a table (or have my mom get one for us) and go pick up Tatum! It was all set.
I invited only close friends and family, and I did not want gifts. Our church, City of Grace, has a foster care/adoption initiative which I want to support so this is what I wanted for gifts for Tatum.
After picking up Tatum, Melissa at Temple Chai said she DID nap in the afternoon (upon much pleading from me!) so I prayed she would be in good spirits.
While the guests showed, Bob and Tatum played on the grass to my mother’s chagrin. Yes, I know dogs have been on the ground and so have hundreds of feet, but I needed to let her scope out the place. She stopped for a pose: 
Then, time to cut the cake! Thank goodness I had a couple of my students present to help me take pictures. Gabe and Lauren were so helpful! 
Tatum looked to me to see what the heck to do with this sugar masterpiece. Did she know she was about to get creamed? 🙂
Upon tasting this cake, and I mean just a teensy taste (I had to put it on my fingers first), she decided she was done. Susan had brought her a couple books, and she put those in her mouth instead. Words always trump sugar!
Thank you to all who joined us and donated money. She is certainly a blessed child and a BLESSING! 🙂