Tea Parties and Dance Class

I have been home for a week. Wish I could say I have been productive, but my mystery illness has kept me down. I won't go into details, but none of the home remedies have managed to make me feel much better. My friend, Yvonne checks in on me daily and is constantly calling with new ideas and suggestions. I am now referring to her as "House". She would be a relentless diagnostician if she had gone to medical school. I have to admit that she scares me just a little ...

Last week was filled with all the things that little girls do. My daughter-in-law is a little girl at heart, I think. She was brave enough to invite five girls to join her three for a tea party after school on the Thursday afternoon that I was there. They are big fans of Alice In Wonderland.

So, down the rabbit hole we go ..........

I made a pound cake in a sheet and cut it into hearts and cats. Didn't plan it that way, it was one of those things, you know, necessity being the mother of invention. We happened to have those particular cookie cutters and no bundt pan. Worked out okay, except for me not taking a photo of my creation all dusted in powdered sugar. Hey, we were outnumbered eight to two! Our "tea" was orange juice. I happily reheated the morning's coffee for a boost of energy ..........

That day started early with dance class for Zara. Big sister, Jada, goes with her ......... otherwise, she won't go. I stood in the door snapping away, listening to all the young well-groomed moms chat. Me with my hair on end, gray roots showing, no make-up, trying to be invisible. Big, big sister Kenzie drove us and then treated her Gramma to a coffee and scone before bringing us home. I never would have found my way there with the fog that had rolled in overnight.

I am missing all my girls this afternoon. I enjoy my solitude, but I could do with a tight hug from baby Zara and the soft, shy whisper of Maya as she tries to tell me secrets while Jada shows me a new dance step.