Someone had a birthday yesterday. Someone turned three. Who could it be?

Sonya woke up on Sunday and scampered into the living room, tussle-haired and half-awake. We had Grandmama, Uncle Weston, and my cousin Anurita here for Sonya’s birthday. Presents were opened and appreciated, one after another.

After breakfast, we got ready for the party. The Sonya Birthday Preparation Squad was enthusiastic and efficient. Balloons were hung. Two picnic tables were commandeered. Burger and hot dog fixings, potato chips, watermelon, soft drinks, and  all the other party supplies were carried across the street. Drex fired up our new propane grill. And then people started coming.

Sonya and her friends ran around the park while liberally supplying themselves with apple juiceboxes, Sprite, and Coca-Cola.

It was a wonderful, low-key, casual barbecue. People ate (everything) and talked and mingled. This was the scene: from left to right, Sonya and her friend took turns jumping from a stump, the grown-ups clustered around the food, the babies were on the blanket in the shade, and the grill was next to the tree.

Sonya’s birthday cake was a simple blueberry-orange bundt with powdered sugar on top. It was moist, not too sweet, and well-received.

Phase One of the party ended with cake. Phase Two began at the splash pool across the park. Phase Three was Sonya’s friend Daphne and her family, Molly Ann, our neighbor Paul, Grandmama, Uncle Weston, Anurita, and all of us back at our house until late afternoon. Sonya and Daphne wandered in and out of the living room wearing different costumes. It was pretty cute. Grandmama has done a good job stocking us with a spectacular dress-up wardrobe.

All in all, Sonya had a magnificent day. It was really special to have so many people celebrate with us. Three is a magic number. Yes it is. It’s a magic number.