Several days of rains, 13 inches reported by the newspapers. Magically, two days of sunshine and on the day of the party itself, the skies cleared up, a bit chilly, and enough to get folks cozily in conversation.

After all, this party had some excitement built into it. Some friends and relatives have not seen the newborn, #maharlika2023la. A year before #princess2015la turns a decade and she’s in charge of the play outdoors and indoors.

It was a family oriented festival held in a cozy home, equipped with tunnels and miniature balls in a round pool for kids to dryly bathe in. The little ones enjoyed coming in and out.

A fun house for children to slide in and jump up and down and slide down again was a magnet for shrill voices and laughter. Next to it was an automatic photo booth where families and friends and relatives took photos with cowboy hats and sunglasses in different shapes.

Inside was a Boba bar with different kinds of teas: green, passion fruit and more. And on the kitchen counter was an elaborate spread of appetizers and homemade cookies. My daughter, C baked them. Outside, the taqueria was set up. In three hours, 86 folks have eaten, R remarked, “I ate 9 tacos, I should be full.” He bought 4 large pizzas 3 hours later for dinner for 20 more family members and friends lingering to chat and talk stories and plan travel.

All in all, the party was a great success. The hosts must be so exhausted that they will need two days to recuperate.

Happy Birthday to my two grandchildren, R and E!