Saturday, January 8, 2022

A Dreamy Birthday Dinner


Last night's birthday supper was about the most excitement I've experienced in years. It was like, well- a fiesta! I'd never been to this particular restaurant, or at least under its present ownership, and it would appear to be THE place to go on a Friday night. There was a large outside eating area with a massive umbrella covering almost the entire space. It was like a palapa except that it was an umbrella.
And there were lights strung up and there was very, very loud music playing and there were things for children to play on and children were indeed playing on them and the children were screaming in delight and happiness and the wild freedom of being out and outside on a Friday night in the dark! It smelled a little like the fair and reminded me a bit of it too. 
As you can see, Gibson and Owen have both recently had hair coloring done and Gibson now also has pierced ears, like his big brother. My darling wildlings. 
We joined Lily and Lauren and Jason and his mother and the children at a big table and the grown-ups ordered drinks, some neon, some not quite so colorful. Hell, Mr. Moon and I even got margaritas, but just the regular kind with good tequila and because they were served in glasses the size of hubcaps, we sipped slowly. 
And Maggie, because it was her birthday, got a virgin something-something that was as fancy as a princess could want. 


It was good to be with Jason and his mother, to let the children see and feel that we are all family, even though things have changed. And it was just nice. There was no unpleasantness and conversation flowed, chips and salsa shared, all was well. It took so long to get our food that I told Mr. Moon that it was like deja vu all over again, remembering lunch. But we managed not to die of starvation. And Maggie got to open the presents I'd brought her. 


The thing she's opening in that picture is a giant activity pad with stickers and I don't know what all. It seemed impressive. But the present she liked best that I gave her was a "busy book" of "Encanto" the Disney movie we watched recently. I hear that Maggie has watched it several times and goes around singing the songs. Unbeknownst to me, Lily had gotten her an Encanto cake so it was a good gift choice. 
Maggie was so delighted with the little figures of the characters that came with the book that she insisted they all be arranged on the table to watch her eat. 

By the time we were finished with supper, I had been completely overstimulated by the noise and activity and people. The inside part of the restaurant was still completely full and no one was wearing a mask, servers were running hither and yon with trays of food and drink, and every time I went in to use the restroom (we were there a long time) I came out feeling like I was in some sort of Fellini dreamscape of noise and color and underlying threat. So when we finished our meal I was grateful to hug everyone good-bye and come home to Lloyd where Maurice was waiting in the yard for us to come home.
But I am very glad we went. When Lily first asked me if we wanted to come, I said immediately, "I don't think so," but after talking to my husband and thinking about it, I realized that it was important for us to go for Maggie's sake if for no other reason although honestly- she was having so much fun that I doubt she would have noticed if we hadn't been there. And it was important for me, too. I have become way too home-bound and fearful of leaving my house, especially at night. So for many reasons, it's good we went. 
After supper, the kids and Lily and Lauren and Jason and his mother went to Jason's house where they had the beautiful cake. 


May all her wishes come true.


I think Magnolia June had a very, very fine birthday. 

And today has been an easy day, a loving day with just me and my husband. I worked in the garden a little and did some household stuff. He's about to go to a basketball game and will be leaving early tomorrow morning for Louisiana. 
I am feeling very peaceful and very grateful on many levels for so many things. 

And I'm kind of wishing I had a piece of purple birthday cake. I do love a Publix buttercream frosting. 

Let's chat again tomorrow, shall we?

Love...Ms. Moon


32 comments:

  1. I can't imagine a Moon gathering that isn't everything it could and should be regardless of the reason for it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, there have been a few that may not have been as fun as others but there is never any doubt of everyone getting along and being loving.

      Delete
  2. I love your family so much. And Happy Birthday to Magnolia June, who can't possibly be 6 FREAKIN' YEARS OLD ALREADY. Damn, that happens fast!

    ReplyDelete
  3. It warms the cockles of my heart that Jason and his mother still fit in with the family. That's such a healthy relationship to have. And what a night out - waaaay past what I can (will) do these days, but what a celebration!

    Chris from Boise

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, my ex-husband and his wife and Glen and I have always been friendly towards each other. We really all have one purpose which is to do the best for our children. And besides that, I really LIKE my ex and his wife. So there's that.

      Delete
  4. What a great group your family is. And what a birthday for Maggie! I'm happy just reading about it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think she had the best birthday ever. Of course, she's only had six but still...
      This one is going to be hard to top.

      Delete
  5. I'm glad you went, tho' I completely understand your initial hesitancy, I have similar risk assessing decisions we make daily now. It all sounded like Festive overload and abundant Fellowship, which we've been denied so much of during Pandemic that it probably felt good, huh?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It felt great until I was so completely overwhelmed. At which point I almost panicked, wanting to get home.

      Delete
  6. Happy birthday to that precious little girl! I do love grocery store cake, too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Do you? I always feel sort of ashamed to admit that. I mean- it's completely different from homemade cake but it is good in its own way, I think. A sort of heavily processed way!

      Delete
  7. That is a perfect birthday cake. I adore good butter cream frosting, too. Happy birthday Maggie; may your curls always spring.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes! May her curls always spring! What a great wish!

      Delete
  8. Happy Birthday to Miss Maggie. It looks like she had a good time and good for you for getting out too.

    We're still freezing our asses off up here. We've set a record, the longest cold snap since 1969. Yay.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yay is right. Said in the most deadpan way I could possibly say it.
      Hang in there.

      Delete
  9. What a lovely birthday Maggie had - and OUTSIDE???? (while I was shovelling snow yesterday)! But your description of that restaurant (sounds wonderful to me) brought home just how different things are here. No TRIPLE jab=no vaccine passport=no access to the restaurant inside or out (or anywhere else frankly), AND mandatory masking indoors has been with us since the start of the pandemic! Goodness, what a difference!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Outside indeed! It was chilly. At least for us southerners with the thin blood.
      I can only imagine the differences between where you live and here. And here's another one- we have HUGE numbers of people infected with one variant or another right now. It's like people don't even care.

      Delete
  10. Well happy birthday, Magnolia. I, too, am a bit envious that you could sit outside and partake of purple frosted cakes. And tomorrow is Louisiana! Is there no end to the wonder? Here everything is white and gray. I feel as if you live in a technicolor world.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We do live in a rather technicolor world. Sometimes it's almost overwhelming.

      Delete
  11. I think it's good you went. I find that since Covid began, the more I stay home, the harder it is to leave! Sometimes we may have to force ourselves to engage with the wider world and I'm sure Maggie DID appreciate your presence.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Exactly- it was never easy for me to go out and now it's become almost impossible. But I did it and if I get omicron it will have been worth it. Hopefully.
      You know.

      Delete
  12. What a fun celebration! A really happy day for Maggie!
    I got to see my 2 oldest grandkids yesterday (Vincent and Izzy are 16 and 14) so that was a great day. Haven't seen them since August! It was weird to eat out at Buffalo Wild Wings in Wisconsin where hardly anyone wears masks (except me and the kids)! I will do most anything to see my grandkids tho! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know exactly what you're talking about. Grandchildren are growing and changing so fast that weighing the odds between seeing them and getting covid or not seeing them and perhaps getting it elsewhere are weighted in the direction of seeing them. At least to me. I think to many of us.

      Delete
  13. "A Fellini landscape of noise and color and underlying threat" I do so love (and feel) your writing.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Happy birthday dear Magnolia June! The smiles on those children’s faces are so big, you know they must feel the love all around them. I struggle with getting out too, especially now. Hoping for better things once this surge passes.
    Xoxo
    Barbara

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They had a great time! And I loved watching how kind Owen was to the other children there. And helpful. He is such a sweet boy.
      And yes- let us hope that there is indeed an end to this.

      Delete
  15. I don’t comment often
    But the joy in this post is palpable
    Loved it my friend x

    ReplyDelete
  16. Oh, thank you, John! It always feels special when you comment. And I think that yes, Maggie had a joyful birthday indeed!

    ReplyDelete
  17. What a wonderful party night! I think I would have slept an entire day after that.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I think Maggie will remember this festive birthday forever, and she will always picture you there.

    ReplyDelete

Tell me, sweeties. Tell me what you think.