PJ's First Birthday

Being an only child, the closest I am going to get to being an "Auntie" is through Larry's brothers. Larry's youngest brother, Phillip, has a baby boy named Phillip, Jr. (or P.J. as everyone calls him).

Today he turned a year old and there was a big to do braai at his maternal grandfather's property on the north side of town, Cantonments. The property is more like a plot and has its own lake.

Larry and I went to Toys R Us to buy a gift and, of course, Larry was so excited, you would think it was his first birthday. He fell in love with this Curious George Monkey thing that laughs his head off. You can "tickle" it under the arms and chin and its feet and belly. It also has a "hidden" area that you tickle and the monkey starts vibrating and really giggling. Needless to say, Larry was sold on it.

At the braai they had burgers and fish. The fish was mullet and the meat was deer meat. I didn't know that I was eating a deer until almost the last bite. Of course, then I told myself that I was sure it had tasted a little wild from the beginning. It's not that bad, actually, and is supposed to be incredibly lean. It just tastes a little wild.

P.J. was in high spirits and loved all the attention. The bigger children were running around with water guns and shooting anything and anyone that stood still. They were drenched after about an hour and I almost envied them in the heat of the day.

I can't say that I have been to many first birthday parties - and I clearly don't remember my own, but it really is such a cute event.

Someone gave P.J. a riding toy with buttons and all kinds of noisy features that babies love. It was the first present that was opened for him and he had the expression on his face as if to say "I don't need anymore presents. This one will do just fine."

Phillip - being really creative - decorated the cake himself, but I don't have any pictures of it. The camera man (Larry) got carried away blowing bubbles.

Overall, it was a really wonderful experience to see all the children. It was especially amazing to think back a year to the day he was born and to remember his tiny baby form and watch him now as he is starting to walk.

You can't but wish him well as he learns the walk of life and hope that love and hope surrounds him each day and in each new adventure he takes on.