Birthday Freakout, Part 2: Balloons

We're not that interested in holidays. In fact, we've been known to be downright anti-social at holiday time.

For instance, we used to drive 6 hours to Mammoth Mountain, CA, to hike and watch the fire for Thanksgiving. Getting that far away ensured that Charles's office could not call him. It also made for an enforced break, since we traveled to Mammoth in the last couple of years before ubiquitous cell phones and internet services. So once there, we were Out Of Touch. Some years, it was the only 4 days off Charles got in a row - at all.

Likewise, we don't do Christmas trees, or blinking lights, or any of the festive stuff that many people enjoy at holidays. On our birthdays, we usually have something special - like a steak, or a bowl of ice cream. At home. NO singing, please.

But for Iain, we wanted to step outside that tradition a little bit. So we bought some balloons. And then Charles decided it would be fun for Iain if they floated, so he went out a got a little helium tank (a party pack that came with...more balloons! and also stickers to give the balloons faces).

The result was very satisfying:

Iain wasn't actually that thrilled with the balloons, though, because Boris stepped on the first one (no helium), causing Mommy to flip out when it popped right behind her while she was holding a knife in the kitchen. After that, Iain was wary.

But, as usual, Callie showed him the way:

[Note Boris watching forelornly from the sunroom.]

She loved the balloons.



Loved. Them. But with the helium, they kept wanting to float up to the top of our (very high) ceiling. So MacGyver Dad came to the rescue, using his trusty climbing gear.


Yup - a couple of carabiners (in festive colors!) will solve any problems. Also, note Callie's adorable grosgrain ribbon belt. That girl is just too much.

After everything was over (don't worry, many more photos coming), Charles commented, "I didn't realize how much craziness the balloons would add." So true. I think parties are a slippery slope. You start adding a balloon here and there, and before you know it you're setting the Thanksgiving table for 25 and wondering if you've got enough gravy.