A Birthday Well Celebrated

“Pick up Austin as soon as you get there,” were our instructions for when we arrived in Washington last week.   We dropped our suitcases off at the house and walked across the street to Miner Elementary School, with a real sense of anticipation.  Kids of all ages, black and white, were coming out from the playground.  Older children on their own and younger ones accompanied by an adult.  We rang the bell at the front entrance and were let in to sign in.  Then with instructions of how to get to the PreKindergarten After-School-Program classroom we headed down a hall. 

In the classroom a dozen children were engrossed playing with toys on the rug and right in the middle was blonde, curly haired, blue eyed Austin.  He looked up, and came over to us, his eyes big with surprise. We explained to the teacher that we were Austin’s grandparents and were taking him home.  New backpack on his back, wearing a light blue t-shirt, and navy shorts (his school uniform) Austin walked between us.  “Austin seems all grown up,” I thought to myself and it felt like a huge milestone to be walking him down a  school corridor for the first time.

Once home, we asked about school, took a peek into the backpack and his folder for class.  It wasn’t long until he was back to the Austin we know, eager to see what we’d brought - homemade granola, some new school clothes, and Lightening McQueen cars and stickers.  My iPhone dinged with the text from Jess at work, “Did you get him?”  And so our visit began.

“Actually, Grandma, I want granola,” Austin said to me. ("Actually" is one of Austin's favorite words). Then he was ready to take his scooter and helmet and ride along beside us in the neighborhood as he loves to do.

Saturday was my birthday.  When Austin came down the stairs in his pj’s, he proudly carried a beautifully wrapped present with a card addressed to “Grandma” on it.

“Happy birthday,” he said shyly.  “I will show you how to open it.”  He instructed me to open the card first. Then he helped me  take off the bow and paper to find a bound copy of this blog, “View from my World” as my gift.  Nothing like a 3-year-old’s enthusiasm to get this 70+ year old grandmother excited about another birthday.  That is why I had to come to Washington this weekend.  It was the start to a day full of celebration.

“Mommy, I want to make the cake,” Austin started in after breakfast. 

“We’ll get a cake later,” Jess told Austin.  That was not the answer he wanted as a birthday is not a birthday without cake-making and sprinkles. Austin loves to help in the kitchen.  He stands on a small stool in the kitchen next to Jess who gives  him a task such as cracking the eggs when she is making pancakes.

“Grandma, do you like sprinkles?”

“Sure,” I replied.  

“Mommy, I want to do the sprinkles,” Austin begged.

Jess managed to distract Austin as we enjoyed a late morning brunch at a French bistro, followed by a walk to the Library of Congress, despite the showery cool rain.

“Mommy, when are we getting the cake?” said Austin, impatiently.

“Later,” Jess said patiently.

It was nap time…it rained more. The day was dark, cool, and wet.

  Nap time over and Austin continued his refrain, “I want to do the sprinkles on the cake.”

     “Grandma, what kind of cake do you want? Carrot?  Chocolate?”

  Late afternoon we piled in the car for a trip to the grocery. Jess and Austin disappeared into the bakery and we picked up dinner.  The cake was bought.

“Grandma, there was no carrot cake. It’s chocolate,” Austin told me when we got home.

“Perfect.” I told Austin. Jess gave Austin the jar of red sprinkles and he carefully put them on the cake and helped add candles.

He was ready for cake, but was told we had to have dinner first and the cake for dessert. Another delay…

Finally the moment of lighting the candles came and Austin stood next to me to say, “I will help you.”  Everyone sang Happy Birthday to me and together Austin and I blew out the candles, cut the cake, and finally sat down to eat it. 

It had been a long day of anticipation for a 3-year-old  but I felt completely loved.  It had been a perfect birthday as shared through Austin's enthusiasm for celebrations.  What more could I ask for?