A Birthday Party

This afternoon found us at Joe's buddy Jonathan's birthday party which lived up to its "backyard water fun" billing with its inflatable water slide pool contraption centerpiece.  When we arrived, the water fun was in full swing and both bambini were a little daunted.  Birdie perched on Julie's lap, and Joe watched from Ted's side, before the bambini banded together for a bit in the sandbox.  But eventually, Joe made his move.  He plunged into the line for the slide, made it up the top (the first two times with the assistance of someone else's older brother), and slide down, landing in a bewildered but quickly triumphantly gleeful heap at the bottom.  Clara saw no reason she couldn't do this, too, and she did--a few times!--despite the speed with which she would shoot down the slide, and being more stunned than anything upon reaching the bottom.

Fans, it's such a kick to see them wade into life at their own pace, with their own style and brand of confidence.