Today was Riley’s 10th birthday celebration and we did a low key party, at The Cleveland Botanical Gardens.
We invited only as many as our two cars could carry, and a couple couldn’t make it, so it was just five besides Riley and Seth.
They ate cake (lemon/mango sorbet) by the pond.
They spotted butterflies.
Homemade cards and perfect presents.
Riley has been to the gardens so many times, she feels like she owns the place. She’s good and comfortable there. No surprises.
It looked like it might rain today, but the weather held out.
It was perfect.
With low key celebrations, you get to really enjoy your friends. You get to talk as you eat your cake, and go at a leisurely pace.
I love how our daughter has taught us bigger and louder isn’t better.
Sometimes small things, are the sweetest of all.
Almost always.
So, she got to talk and eat her cake, too. Let’s make that an officially coined expression, okay?
I’m with Riley. Bigger is not better when it comes to parties. Oh, and…watch out for the double digits!
Looks perfect!!
The colors of these photos are so vivid, as will be Riley’s memories of this sweet day and the parents who provided it.
What a lovely way to spend a birthday.
Oh–how perfect! What a lovely party! So glad she had a nice day. And YES, sometimes bigger and louder isn’t always better, actually, I’d say most of the time!
It looks and sounds like it was the perfect setting for your gorgeous girl to continue to…blossom! (Sorry, I can’t help myself when I see a bad pun. 😉 )
Seriously, I am so in awe of the ways in which it seems Riley is maturing and becoming more self confident, more self aware, and more patient with herself. I know some 40-somethings who don’t do it half as well as she seems to be doing lately.
Big love to the birthday girl!
What a perfect setting to celebrate life! Happy birthday, Riley!
Wow! A birthday celebration at the Botanical Gardens! Amazing. I cannot imagine a better place for that. What a great mom you are!
xo
perfection!
That looks like a great party! Sweet! I also bet it was nice for everyone who came. I wish I came. 🙂
Happy Birthday to lovely Miss Riley.
😉
Less is more. Couldn’t have put it better myself.
Happy Birthday Smiley Riley! 😀
Lovely.
Happy birthday to Riley!
What a fantastic idea for a birthday celebration! Perfect!
What a perfectly lovely way to start a new year. Beautiful.
What a sweet sweet place for the sweetest party I’ve seen in a long time. As close to perfection as you can ask, I think.
Beautiful birthday-ing! What a wonderful celebration. Three cheers for Miss Riley, Age 10!