Well, First Of May, First Of May...

Outdoor fucking starts today! 

I say that every year. I have to. Some people may need the reminder. Also, it is a sweet, sweet tribute to my dear friend Lynn who introduced me to the saying so many years ago. 

Outdoor fucking would not be very pleasant here in Lloyd right now as it is raining. Not hard but enough to distract all but the most passionately oblivious of lovers and it's getting a little cooler as the rain comes. We're supposed to get a lot more tonight and tomorrow and we are so grateful. 

It has been a good day. It started for Jessie like this.

The boys did this all on their own as Papa was still in Washington, DC on business. Jessie had started to get up but they told her no, no, go back to bed, so she did. 
Here's what they brought her.

Tea, toast, strawberries and a rainbow bouquet. And cards. I know they were so proud and Jessie was so pleased. 

All the colors of the rainbow. August created that one. He does love rainbows. 

The next thing on Jessie's birthday agenda was to get a manicure and a pedicure and Lily and I joined her. Lily got a manicure too but I just got a pedicure. We laughed so much in those fantastic massage chairs, getting our feet made more beautiful. I wish I could remember the thing that made me laugh hardest. 
But I can't. 
Here's what the finished product looked like though. 

We all went for the moving-into-summer colors. That's my foot in the center. You can't really tell but there is a bit of sparkle to that pale green. 
Mermaid toes. Jessie wanted her big toes painted a different color than the rest and Lily has different colors on her fingers.

While I was waiting for the other two to be finished, I went outside and realized there were blooming magnolia trees all up and down the front of the parking lot. If you read the link yesterday about Jessie's birth, you know that magnolias played a role it it. For me, at least. 
And I picked her one. I seriously doubt anyone minded.

Now I realize that is a large flower but I must tell you that it is a smaller variety of magnolia than the Granda Flora. I think it may be a Little Gem. It is possibly half the size of the real mama magnolia and its scent is not nearly as intense, but it is still a beautiful flower and Jessie was pleased with it. 

And then on to lunch we went! We met up with Lauren and Rachel and Mr. Moon and also Vergil who had arrived just in time to come to lunch. 

We ate at the Mexican restaurant where we always seem to eat for family meals out these days because they have a porch where we can be, if not rowdy, than at least ebullient. Which we sometimes are. 

The birthday girl ordered a Big Girl drink. Vergil helped her with it a little. 

He's kind like that. 

After lunch, Rachel wanted to get a picture of me and Lily and Jessie. 

Just thinking about this picture makes me want to cry. How in the world am I the mama of these two goddesses? They wrapped me up with their arms and with their love and how I wish I could have known, back when they were small and things were often hard because I had four children at home and it's not always easy (it is never easy), that one day it would be like this. That I would realize I am the most fortunate mother in the entire world. I so wish Hank and May had been with us too but they were both working. Next birthday is May's so perhaps we will all be together again then. 

Thank you, Rachel. With all of my heart. 

It is still raining. There's a very enthusiastic cardinal making his chip, chip, chip song, and I am enjoying a martini. 
Clean sheets are of course, on the bed. 

This morning I woke up before my husband and when he did wake up, I stayed quiet and still and watched him as he swung his legs out of the bed, sat up, stood up, and I fell in love with him again, this sturdy good man who gave me those two daughters, who has been a good and faithful daddy to all our children including the ones I brought with me to the marriage, the children about whom his daddy told him, "You're going to have to love those children as much as you love their mother," and he did and he has and I could not have done any of this without him. 

Happy birthday, my darling Jessie, my back-pocket baby, my magnolia birth/rainbow baby, my precious friend, the mother of two of my beautiful grandchildren, the boss of me since you were born. 

And happy Friday to you all. 

Love...Ms. Moon

And just for fun...