Jaida

The family has taken to meeting every-other Friday night for supper. By family, at PawPaw's house, we're talking extended family. All my kids, their kids, and assorted in-laws and outlaws. We rotate the venue, meeting variously at one or the other of our homes. Last night we met at our place and as part of the festivities, we hosted a birthday party for little Miss Jaida, who is turning six years old.

There's Miss Jaida, above. This picture doesn't do her justice as she's normally full of piss-and-vinegar, but tonight she knew that there were presents and birthday cake. Speaking of cake, her mother found a hamburger themed cake and presented it to her for her pleasure. I'm not sure where the idea originated, but I've never seen one.

Another birthday that we recognized was the recent 18th birthday of my lovely niece, Sarah. Sarah is a lovely young lady, with a grade point average sufficient that major universities are competing to throw dollars at her. One of the ladies brought some Amaretto covered cherries to the party and we told Miss Sarah that in recognition of her 18th birthday, she was now authorized to sample the "adults-only" treats and beverages.

That's Sarah, above, with her trademark '20s style hat. Beautiful, smart, funny, she's got the world by the tail.

By ten o'clock, all the guests had departed and PawPaw retired to his room for a well-deserved nap.