My Girl Jules

Well, the cupcakes are a-bakin'. I'm taking the wise advice of my cousin, who suggested last year that I make cupcakes for Jules birthday instead of some over-the-top cake. Wise advice, I'd say, after last years flop (who was it that thought the cake was a lighthouse instead of a party hat? :). I plan on decorating these cupcakes up to wazoo and they will be amazing - I sense some overconfidence here, don't you? Anyway, I do have a great recipe for icing that my sister Lora lent me and I just might share it with the rest of you. Juliet is beside herself with excitement at the fact that tomorrow is her birthday party. Saturday morning, she'll go out with Dad to pick out a balloon for her birthday (it's a tradition). Long has she been eyeing the balloons in Shop-rite, and I think I've been telling her for two months now that, "you have to wait for your birthday before you get a balloon!" I'd be surprised if she comes home with anything but a Thomas balloon.
About five minutes ago, Jules was sitting in front of Bluebell's cage (Bluebell is our parakeet) and she had in her hand my bird book "Birds of New Jersey - Field Guide". (I'd highly recommend it if you are interested in birds; it's by Stan Tekiela). With book in hand, she showed Bluebell pictures of the various birds asking him whether he liked them, and so on. It was so cute! Bluebell seemed to actually enjoy the attention and twittered and chirped happily from his perch. Me thinks life is made up of such moments! Gone before you know it and that's why I like to post about them. I'd never remember stuff like this without writing about it.
P.S. Jules is now cheerfully singing a very interesting version of "Now Blessed be Jehovah God." She's gotta learn some doxologys so she can sing along in church!

Jules B-Day Thoughts - Not a Tribute

Today is Jules's birthday. She is officially 3! I feel I ouught to write a tribute of sorts in honor of her birthday (a current trend which I enjoy) but I oddly don't know what to write. What words could I use to describe her? Persistent, determined and strong-willed come to mind. Not exactly the most flattering, I suppose. But she's my darling and one of the main highlights in my life! This morning she was belting out "Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah" (Psalter 400) as she looked out the patio door. When she came to a line she wasn't too sure of, she substituted a few words with "God" "Jesus" "holy" and that sort of thing. I felt a sudden prick of tears. She's growing up! And she also was proving that she was learning the psalters that I so diligently try to teach her. I say "try" because Jules basically refuses to sing when I do. Insulting, isn't it? (I'm not sure if I should try to force her to sing with me. "Sing the psalter, will you, or you'll...you'll get it!!!). Yet, this proves that she does learn what I sing to her.