Becker Birthday Bash- the 2nd

Fall is here and with its arrival come all the birthdays in our family. Well, #2 is actually in summer, but so late that it may as well be fall. In order to avoid the stress of a party each month I chose to combine to one big gathering: the Becker Birthday Bash. For the most part this works.

It was the first giant gathering in our new house and we may have needed a bit more square footage. Luckily mother nature cooperated and some of the party was able to spill over into the back yard. We were definitely filled to the gills with people and presents.

Oh the present thing. Five kids, 20 some guests = tons of gifts. Probably too many. My kids have everything they need. They

live in a warm and mostly decorated home.

The fridge is full. They have pets. They have siblings (may or may not need or want those).

They have an extended family they are close to and family friends who are really like family. They have a church and are getting a good education. The basement and their

rooms are full of stuff they enjoy. Their wardrobes are full of options.

And after Sunday, they have even more.

People were so generous and so thoughtful it was really overwhelming.

During the party the present opening process was overwhelming. Note to self: Five kids

with present piles in front of them is NOT the way to start the gift process. After the party, while putting things away and in place I had a new surge of gratitude and a renewed sense of being overwhelmed.

Then the questions set in: geez should I do this kind of party? how did we get so lucky in friends and family? Did my kids say thank you enough? Did everyone feel our gratitude? If the kids get gifts like this all the time will they be spoiled? on and on.

I haven't answered these questions for myself yet. Becker Birthday Bash #3 is a question mark in my head. Too many things left unsettled for me. We will see.

There are however things that the day brought to light that are settled for me.

The kids have had a healthy and happy year.

The unit of my immediate family has grown tighter. We know our roles and we play them well. The twins are less like animals and more like little people. They understand saying thank you for something. #3 got less emotionally overwhelmed by the giant gathering and the gifts.

Her behavior has improved dramatically over the past year. Though she is still every bit a 6 year old.

#2 baked 90 cupcakes and made 2 batches of butter cream frosting. She then frosted all 90 with fancy patterns. She even allowed #3 to help her some. This is a sign of growth and maturity too.

#1 played hostess and worked the room. She is talking about college and learning things in Math and science that were beyond me and still are.

OK, I have that overwhelmed feeling again. I am so damn lucky. Truly truly blessed.

I may not have gotten the party thing right, but I did OK on the previous 365 days.

That is really all one can ask for...