Still, it was...shocking, to see her jump up and bolt. She fled for the play structure and tried to climb up the ladder and hide in a corner, and could only be coaxed back out with much effort and gentle suasion and cuddling, and she never did get around to opening her presents. I think it was just overtiredness and overstimulation and finally,for the first time, completely grokking that all these people were here just for her, and that next year it'll all be routine and easy for her.

Please, please don't let her be crippled by shyness like I was. Please?

She's just awakened from her nap/utter swoon and is drowsing quietly in her crib, for which we got a rainbow-colored mosquito net to make it her private tent.

JZ, I called to wish Matilda a happy birthday, but I guess it was party time. When she's awake, have her give me a call?

mac just broke out with the news that he would be ok moving to Texas after this year of school. ummm, not sure I am, but it would be good for a number of reasons. I guess we have to keep talking about it and see how the economy goes.

Ellie cried when we sang to her at her 3rd birthday. Thankfully, the cake fixed the problem. Then, on her 4th, she grabbed the candles just after we blew them out, burned herself, and cried. That was also fixed with cake.

IME, cake can solve just about anything.

Happy birthday, Matilda!!!

IME, cake can solve just about anything.

It was a really good cake from Schubert's, one of those old timey neighborhood bakeries that's actually super tasty and delicious.

Matilda is happily playing with her new Groovy Girl items, Nihao Kai Lan playset and fancy china tea set.

Aw, P-C, you're adorable, but Matilda remains resolutely shy. She is very firmly opposed to talking to anyone at all on the telephone right now (also absorbed in studying the My Little Pony library her daycare provider gave her, and stacking the books in Tolee's Treehouse).

Ugh. My dad, who knows my feelings about feminism and gender and innate differences but thinks I'm adorably earnest but ignorant in the ways of the Real World with all its snips'n'snails and sugar'n'spice children, got her a hot pink fairy-decorated Glitter Girl lip gloss and body glitter mini-suitcase. Bleargh.

You can tell Matilda her Super High-Powered Electronic Drum Kit is is the mail.

OK, maybe don't tell her that, because it's not true.

Aww. Well it was her party.

and she'll cry if she wants to.

It's very warm here today--still in the high 80s and with no breeze to speak of, which means it's close to 80 in my apartment.

Do not want.