Heads and hearts in the clouds

You were promised pictures of Allissa's fifth birthday celebration.

I hope you didn't think I'd forgotten.

Never. So here we go.

Audrey had gone on Sunday from her home in Knoxville to Stephanie's house in North Carolina.

Late Monday afternoon we all met at the big silver head.

Metalmorphosis's shiny plates were aligned facing forward and stationary, but the mouth was spewing water into the black granite infinity fountain.

The kids loved it. The North Carolina contingent were already in place when the South Carolina contingent -- consisting of TG and me -- arrived.

Baby Andrew was trotting around the fountain area, occasionally venturing too near the steps for his mother's peace of mind.

So Aunt Audrey took it upon herself to chase him hither and yon. Every once in awhile she couldn't help lifting him off his feet and giving him a squeeze.

But he didn't like it. He wanted to be covering the ground.

Allissa and I busied ourselves capturing the Official Birthday Portrait.

However, the jury is still out as to which pose actually is the OBP. It may be the one at the top of this post.

But then again it may be this one ...

And it may be this one ...

Or it may be this one:

As for me, I favor that last pose: pure full-strength Lissy Belle.

Which of the four gets your vote?

Melanie was a busy bee around the fountain in the mild spring sunshine too, but I managed to pin her down for approximately three point five seconds.

And then she was gone again just like a butterfly.

She'd come to the party straight from school and so was feeling her oats rather more keenly than those of us who had been free agents since breakfast.

The big silver head and thousands of frilly pink blossoms dotting the dozens of trees that ring its area were more than cooperative for their Tax Day Birthday photo, however.

After that parting shot, we decamped and, in three separate vehicles, headed for Red Robin.

Audrey has a new car so naturally, Melanie and Allissa wanted to ride with her.

Here's where the celebration very nearly jumped the shark.

Stephanie and Audrey had taken the kids to Dollar General that morning for some last-minute party supplies. Aunt Audrey wanted to buy a mylar balloon for Allissa. She allowed Allissa to pick it out.

The cherished object -- I am told -- featured not one, not two, but three pink-clad princesses, complete with lavish sparkly dresses, twinkling slippers, bejeweled scepters, and gem-encrusted tiaras. 

For reasons about to become clear to you, I did not get a picture of that balloon. But I did get a picture of the balloons I myself bought at DG that day. The salesgirl did not offer me the option of princesses.

And that will have to do you. Use your imagination for the rest.

So we took off for Red Robin about eight miles from the big silver head, in Charlotte's Monday rush-hour traffic which apparently begins backing up at four o'clock.

About two miles down the road, my phone rang. It was Audrey, two cars behind.

"Allissa wanted me to open my sunroof and I told her she'd have to really hang onto that princess balloon, but she let it go and it's gone. Now she won't stop crying."

Okay well, I thought, I could have told you if you opened the sunroof, that balloon would go out. Allissa is ditsy enough without actual air in her hair.

Allissa was inconsolable and Audrey's heart was about to break. "Allissa, you have to stop crying," she implored the birthday girl.

"B-b-b-but I can't," sobbed Allissa.

"Allissa! We will get you another princess balloon!" Audrey threw out, desperate to end the caterwauling that threatened to deafen her.

Allissa wept more. "B-b-b-but how will we get back to the Dollar General?" she cried.

I was still on the phone two cars ahead. Oh my soul, I told Audrey. I have some balloons for her. They're attached to a whole jarful of Starbursts and Smarties, and her own 5 candle. I saw it on Pinterest.

It's not like she's bereft of balloons or of anything else, for that matter.

My contribution to the solution could be summed up thusly: "Tell her I said shut it."

Well we made it to the Red Robin and the place was all but empty and we got situated in a huge booth.

The Boston bombings had just happened and that sickening, tragic loop was on constant instant replay on several flatscreens around the room.

The Newtown massacre happened on my sister's birthday last December. And now a Boston bombing on Allissa's. Begging the question, why can't people just behave?

But life goes on and soon Allissa -- tears and princess balloons forgotten -- was sucking on a lemonade.

She was enchanted with not only the ice-cold sweet-sour bottomless beverage, but also with the idea of a plastic spill-proof lid affixed to a real glass.

While in the car TG had told me a story of when, as a kid, he lost a helium balloon through his own neglect and mishandling of said precious object.

"Tell that story babe," I said, knowing Allissa could relate.

So TG divulged that as a one-digit (age-wise) kid, he had bought a helium balloon at a corner store. On the walk home, he tied the balloon to the scrunched-up neck of a paper sack containing candy.

As he strolled with his siblings and another relative, young and foolish TG thought it would be cute to continually pitch the bag ahead of them on the sidewalk, watching the balloon bob and weave with each toss.

Which was immensely entertaining until the balloon, clearly craving freedom from such nonsense, detached itself from the bag and went home to heaven.

Allissa was rapt during the telling of her papaw's story. She even stopped coloring.

Her daddy was interested too.

Stephanie was likewise riveted.

And baby Andrew stopped reading Sometimes I Just Wanna Go To Mexico long enough to soak up every word.

Why he was studying the beer menu, I'll never know. We are teetotalers.

My point is, TG is that adept at storytelling.

I told my own personal mylar balloon getaway tale on this blog three years ago. You can read it here.

And I'd love to hear your mylar balloon abscondation stories. Feel free to share.

Later, after a splendid meal, we repaired to the outdoor seating area -- deserted until our descent upon same -- and enjoyed the cool late-day weather while Allissa opened her gifts and Stephanie served cake.

Here is Lissy with the card I gave her -- nearly all birthday cards I give feature dogs -- in the same gift bag with two new dresses and a new tiara.

Andrew perched on TG's knee and was fed cake from a paper princess plate. He'd kicked his kicks off by that time and was getting down with the partay.

After all that hoopla, the coup de grace ended up being a bicycle that Allissa received as everybody was heading for home: Audrey west, Stephanie and her brood north, TG and I south.

A pink and purple bicycle with temporarily white tires.

And hey. That's more birthday bash than I ever had as a kid. It was exhausting.

But what wonderful memories. The kind I hope you are making today, and every day.

Because life is short. Even when it's long, it's short.

=0=0=0=

Happy Monday ~ Happy Week

=0=0=0=

Comments

[Donna (Texas)]

What a fun read!! Baby Andrew reading the beer menu...loose balloons...tons of crying... huge si;ver heads spitting out tons of water...oh, by the way, I like the one where she is slightly tilting her head...beautiful!
Love the shots dear friend!
hughugs

[Donna M.]

Whew, such birthday fun! I think I like the 4th photo of the birthday girl the best too. Best wishes to the little tyke. Love all the photos that documented the day!

[irene]

I love the one with her on her bicycle. What an adventure. You are a brave family indeed. Crossing state lines with helium balloons. Love your jar with her candle in it. I always told my kids they needed to release those balloons so their birthday wishes would be "mailed" to those that could grant them. Melanie is getting to be quite a big girl. and well, the prince, he's so adorable. Have a great week.

[Mari]

I love the whole report of this party. Y'all know how to celebrate! I like the 4th picture best too, but it was a tough choice. Someday I have to see that statue. :)
PS - I'll say it again - your family is so photogenic. Every one of them is gorgeous! And I did take note of one of your beaded wonders on Audreys keychain. :)

[Jennifer]

@Donna (Texas) ... I like that one a lot too. It's a classic Lissy pose.

@Donna M ... High praise from a stellar photographer such as yourself. Thank you.

@Irene ... Crossing state lines with helium balloons ... that cracked me up. You are a doodle, dear Irene.

@Mari ... Thanks for your always-kind words. I wondered if you'd notice the keychain. I think you and Bob should plan a romantic getaway to Charlotte, and we can come up one night and meet you at the big silver head, and we'll all go out to dinner. BTW you know we're all airbrushed; right? LOL

[Skunkfeathers]

If clouds can cross state lines, so too should helium balloons ;-) A happy day had by all!