Easiest Birthday Ever

A little side note to start: April is awesome in Zimbabwe. It's hardly raining anymore but still green. The sun is warm, and the air is cool. It's perfect.

Cindy on a stroll, and yes, those are normal size bricks - she's that big.

So there's that, and Easter and another national holiday, which may be why the local schools close in April and everyone travels. Miles's birthday fell on a vacation period again, so I decided instead of inviting whoever was around to a whole class party thing, to just go mellow this year. Since Nana is coming and we'll be taking some special trips, Miles seemed cool with that, too. (Whew!)

Miles's Birthday Day, Part 1

Miles, Eliza and I got up bright and early and made a chocolate cake together - first time I'd made an iced cake since Miles turned one. It will become an every-seven-years tradition, I think. OK, it fell apart, but it was not only edible - my friend Bettina actually took the left-overs home with her because she wanted to eat more which is a total coup, as far as my cooking goes. I was thrilled. (Now back to Miles.)

Miles can't get enough legos which is good because that's what everyone gave him.

After baking, we had our usual Sunday tennis lessons with Jana Lou (Miles's classmate) and her family, plus Vaughn and his mom came over. The kids went swimming, ate cake, opened a few gifts. It was great! No pomp, no clowns, no blow up castle, and real friends who didn't mind that we forgot to order the pizza.

Miles's Birthday Day, Part 2
Around 2, we packed some drinks and meat for the braai and headed out to a local airfield used for micro-light type aircraft. Eliza's friend Ella's father Peter has a small 4-seater plane. We met them and three other families including my friend Caroline's.

Men circling the braai pit, aka BBQ.

Eliza with Cecilia and Ella

Three of the families put their first born son on the little plane, poured themselves another G&T, and thought pleasant thoughts about our host/pilot who was not drinking and did a thorough check of his little plane as we all stood around and watched. It was a beautiful day, and everyone was tingling with excitement and trepidation.

Runway & the plane getting ready for take off.

David and Eliza watching Miles take off

Caroline and Jonathan cheering on the boys taking off

Peter and another little friend, Thomas.

They flew around the nearby suburbs/farms and came back with the softest landing I've ever seen. Then it was somebody else's turn. Without my even knowing it until the plane was about to take off, barefoot Eliza had joined the next group. She and all the kids were unfazed by it and happy to go for a ride. Slowly the rest of us adults were lulled into going. It was nice to fly low enough to really see the land and its contours. There are actually hills and rivers not far away. It's always nice to get a new perspective on the place where you live. All in all, a great day!

Link to more photos: