Mom's Birthday

Mom's birthday is June 8, but we held her party on Saturday the 7th. I worked that weekend so poor Mom had to bake her own spice cake. Cassie and I picked up the choc mint ice cream, and Cassie chose Mom's birthday plates/cups/napkins (which explains why Mom had the Disney Princesses for her birthday theme).

We held the party at my aunt Betsy's condo after I got off work. She lives on the fourth floor and commented how she could look out her windows and see the Wednesday storms approaching in the southwest. She said it was a very dark wall cloud and that this was the first time she'd been afraid (and rightfully so, that storm spawned four tornadoes). So she was more than willing this time to head downstairs when the tornado sirens sounded. Apparently, I'm the only member of my family who heads to the basement when we have weather warnings. (Confession: I'd rather be outside with my camera gazing at the sky, judging for myself when to take cover, but I have to be a good role model for Cassie. Sigh.)

Our package for Mom was actually empty except for a color photo of her gift. We're giving her Ted Sorensen's new book, Counselor: A Life at the Edge of History. He's a Nebraska native who was chief speechwriter and special counsel to JFK. He's doing a book signing at Lee Booksellers on June 18. I'm getting an autographed copy for both Mom and me.

Everyone was in attendance at Mom's party, except my brother's 17yo daughter, Paige. After the festivities the guys turned on the Husker's baseball game, and we girls played "Tico's." Mom, Betsy, and I sat at the dining room table and Cassie was our waitress. But for a server, she's quite demanding. I was constantly admonished for having elbows on the table, and she thought we were asking for too many refills. She also informed us her name was "Annie" - our favorite waitress at Tico's.

The evening ended soon enough to get Cassie to bed at a relatively reasonable time, and before the next round of storms hit.