September | 2013 | Garden of Delights Blog

While this post may be a few months late, today I had a reminder that taking time to do the little things can result in something very special. I was in my daughter’s 2nd class for the first time this year to volunteer and the teacher brought her up the front to read her “Best Birthday Ever” writing. It was all about her birthday party last April and how much she loved it.

We had a Little House on the Prairie theme, and while it took a lot of planning and research, sewing, baking and running around, it really was one of the best kids’ parties we’ve had, and one that I think will be the most memorable for all of us.

With grandmas helping me sew 13 bonnets and aprons, and my sister, Auntie Robin, to help the kids bake bread and make butter, I was lucky and thankful for the help. When the kids arrived, they got to “go shopping” for an apron and bonnet to dress up in. We gave them each a few coins to buy penny candy at Aunt Robin’s candy store. (In retrospect, we should have done this last!)

They made corn cob dolls and strung button necklaces. The dolls were a big hit and they spent more time than I expected dressing them and styling their corn tassel hair. Then they formed loaves of bread from dough we had made ahead. We let them add cheese, cinnamon sugar and jam to the loaves to let them participate. We shook mason jars full of cream to make butter.

Instead of goodie bags of plastic junk, they took home loaves of bread, jars of sweet cream butter, corn cob dolls and penny candy.

The chickens behaved amicably and participated, and everyone took a photo with one. Big sister and her friend were chicken wranglers and photographer (and later, cattle rustlers).

Pa made a covered wagon to sit in and climb on, and Ma (me) and the girls made a giant ice cream wagon cake that was a memory making event of its own!

It was a birthday we will never forget!