When Oliver turned one, well, we thought: he’s not going to remember it, we’re both tired and overwhelmed, let’s give him some extra peas (honestly, the cutest video ever recorded in the world — he LOVED his peas) and call it a day.

A few months later, I had lunch with Marthea Wilson. She wasn’t at the League any longer, and her daughter Eve had just completed a school project called, I kid you not, My First Birthday Party. She was in second grade, and had to take in photos, a story and some more about her first birthday. It … well, it panicked me. I pictured poor 8-year-old Oliver, asking for some photos and receiving his (adorable!) video of extra peas.

The Rotherham’s always welcoming house kitty corner across the street from ours …

So, July 23 rolled around, and for Oliver’s 16-month birthday, we made a yellow cake with chocolate frosting. We had some new neighbors who had recently moved in across the street, and we called them and asked if they would join us for cake on our front lawn. Their twin daughters shared Oliver’s birthday exactly, so they were celebrating their 3 year and four-month birthdays …

They came over immediately, providing good humor, great compliments on the cake, and stories of their own birthday parties (Julie’s Easter party when the girls turned two, the same day Oliver was born, was so awesome it was the basis for our neighborhood Easter parties for years).

We had already enjoyed standing around on their driveway, talking with them and hearing about Andy’s bicycling adventures (he’s a fast rider who is currently training and raising money for cancer in memory of his beloved father:  http://www2.pmc.org/profile/AR0140) and Julie’s activism in our neighborhood, school and church.

We found a home with the Rotherhams, and in Barcroft. They are such great hosts, having endless parties for work and pleasure. I remember Julie’s 40th birthday party with great pleasure — the guests were fascinating; the food was excellent; the table settings was elegant. Julie and I volunteered together on Easter Egg hunts, and Andy was endlessly helpful (and cheering) during my two job searches last year.

We have found so much to love in Seattle, including a great neighborhood; at the same time, we miss our beloved Barcroft, and the Rotherhams. Thank you for being such great friends, and for celebrating Oliver’s 16 month birthday with us.