Today is my dear mom’s 89th birthday in South Africa, and it’s also my granddaughter Taylor’s 5th birthday in New Jersey. We celebrated both of these auspicious occasions of course, and went to see mom in the care home. She was sleeping when we arrived, but soon perked up when she saw her lovely chocolate cake that my sister had made for her to share with all the residents and staff, and the flowers, cards and presents which we’d brought. When we got home, we chatted to Taylor and the rest of the family on Skype. She was so excited about her party yesterday. She even had a visit from the Sleeping Beauty Princess, (actually her cousin in a blonde wig, although I’m not sure she realised this). Here are some pics of the two birthday girls with family and friends.
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- Mom with her two daughters.
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- Sister’s delicious ‘Cleopatra’s Chocolate cake’.
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- Mom’s great niece came too.
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- The Sleeping Beauty with Taylor and a friend.
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- A ‘Princess’ cake fit for a princess.
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- Lots of fun things to do.
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- Games to play
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- Running a race.
It’s less than ideal when families live so far apart, but thank goodness for Skype video calls and Facebook photos. What ever would we do without them?
Birthdays can be such fun with family and friends around 🙂
The best fun, 🙂
Gorgeous family fun, all across the globe. You all have such lovely smiles!
Thanks so much, Seonaid. 🙂
So many birthdays. Happy birthday to the both of them 🙂
Thanks so much, Inga. Yes, May is a very busy month for birthdays in our family. 🙂
I can see from where you and your sister has got your good looks ! … Your mom is a beautiful lady …
And Taylor is a cutie … So the beauty in your family, obviously passing down from generation to generation … // Maria 🙂
Thanks so much for the compliment. My mom was a really stunning young woman. 🙂
sempre incantevoli i tuoi incontri e feste familiari! moltissimi auguri alle care festeggiate! 🙂
Thank you so much for your feliciations, Ventis. 🙂
Happy, happy happy to both!
Thanks so much, Kathryn. 🙂
Oh but to be in both places at once! Thank goodness for Skype.
I agree with you. 🙂
Happy belated birthdays to both your dear mum and granddaughter…you have a family full of birthdays at the moment! I’m so glad for you that you have the use of modern technology to keep in such great touch with your family Sylvia. When I moved to California in 1986 there was none of that and I was so homesick for many years. I just know that if we had been able to Skype things would have been so much easier even though it is still not easy being apart from loved ones. Hugs… 🙂
Thanks so much, Sherri. You’re so right when you say that it’s not easy being apart, but the modern technology certainly helps us to keep in touch. We’re so fortunate to live in this modern age. 🙂
We are indeed 🙂
Happy birthday wishes all round Sylvia. I hope your had a wonderful celebration!
Thanks, Adrian. We’ve had a great birthday month. 🙂
Beautiful family, Sylvia! Happy birthday to both!
Thanks so much, Lola. 🙂
Your family member are great Sylvia!
Happy birthday to your Mom and also to Taylor. May God always bless them.
Thanks so much, Chris.:)
Thank goodness for Skype. Beautiful memories of a lovely family.
Thanks, LuAnn. 🙂
What a beautiful day for your mom and Taylor Sylvia. Please give them both my wishes for more to come and all of the best. Great shots of a beautiful family. You are all so gorgeous! 😀 ♥ Hugs ♥
Thanks so much for the lovely wishes, Sonel. 🙂 *hugs*
You’re very welcome Sylvia. 😀
Happy birthday to both! ❤
Thanks so much, Hopestar. 🙂
Such a happy post Sylvia . So lovely to see you and your sister sharing your Mum’s special day . 89 yrs young 🙂
Thank heavens for little princesses … and more grown up ones too of course …
Both families enjoying birthday celebrations with a skype call too is brilliant .
Thanks so much, Poppy. It was a good birthday day, and today is my sister’s birthday. 🙂 May is quite the month for celebrations.
WOW! Happy Birthday to the beautiful ladies 🙂 Sounds it was amazing party. My Best Wishes for them both. Thank you, love, nia
Thanks so much, Nia. xx
How awesome to have sleeping Beauty at her party! Oh and congrats on your mom too AD. The cake looked delicious! 🙂
Thanks so much, Kat. 🙂
My favourite photo is the first one of the three of you. Your mum looks well on that one, but I suppose old age and frailty bring ups and downs. I’m sure she enjoyed you and your sister turning up to celebrate her day though.
Thanks so much. She definitely does her ups and downs, but we did have a nice time together, and both her sons-in-law were there too. She loves them to bits. 🙂
That’s nice. I often thought my mother preferred Partner to me. The son she never had? Who knows? But it’s good when they do get on 🙂
A few days ago my computer had a meltdown so I have been computerless until now. It is wonderful to be back and reading your marvelous posts!
Happy Birthday to you mother and granddaughter.
“Mothers are the people who love us for no good reason. And those of us who are mothers know it’s the most exquisite love of all.” Maggie Gallagher
So nice to see you again, Rebecca. Thanks for the birthday wishes and the lovely quote, as always. 🙂
Skype is a blessing AD! Birthday blessings xox
Yes it most certainly is, Tandy. Thanks for the B’day blessings. 🙂
Double Happy Birthday to you and your family 🙂 Could I have a little piece of both cakes please? 🙂
Thanks, Ruth. I’m afraid I ate your piece. 🙂
Happy Birthday to both one slightly older than the other… my daughter and my mother share a birthday and with both in SA never sure who to spend the day with…
Thanks so much, bulldog. That must be quite a dilemma for you, but I’m sure you manage to work it out. 🙂
Sometimes I go to my Mom and Linda to our daughter… works out most times, but with Mom being 90 one is never sure how many more birthdays are on the cards,,, we did the big party at the Old Age Home this year… they were like kids all the old people… look forward to getting to that age as their inhibitions seem to be so much less and they enjoy themselves… it was wonderful…
89 and 5! Whew! Nice! Very nice. Hope they had a great birthday 🙂
Thanks, TG. Yes, quite a big gap in ages. 🙂
How wonderful!
Happy Birthday to them both. 🙂 🙂
Thanks, dear RoSy. 🙂
What a big day for your family! My son was born on his Great Grandma’s 90th birthday and sharing their special days has been a wonderful way to keep her memory alive with us.
Thanks, Lisa. Yes, that must have been very special, and as you say, it keeps your Grans memory fresh in your hearts every year. 🙂
It’s great that you were still able to “celebrate” both birthdays even though the birthday girls are so far apart. Technology really is a wonderful thing
Yes, it is a wonderful thing, TA. Who would have believed it possible a few years ago? 🙂
I just love skype and FB for these reasons. I can catch up with everyone in a day! I don’t know how I lived without these things for so many years 😉
I so agree with you, Dianne. They do help to keep families closer. 🙂
Days like this are to be treasured forever. I understand the mixed feelings you have spending time with an aging parent. It’s never an easy path of life to navigate.
Thanks, GOF. No it definitely isn’t easy, but it comes to most of us.
It’s tough with the family so scattered, but thank goodness for Skype and the internet. Looks like everyone had great fun and those cakes look so very yummy.
Yes it is, Gunta, but we’re so grateful to be able to see everyone, even if it’s only virtually. The three little kiddiwinks are always excited to chat to us on Skype. It does our hearts so much good. 🙂
I so agree … your mother still looks well, a beautiful photo of you three! Thanks to modern communications we are so fortunate to see and chat with our overseas family too, and what a great lot of pics they sent you … happy birthday to the girls!
Thanks, Christine. Yes, it’s lovely to be able to share celebrations across the miles. 🙂
Happy birthday to both! I think Taylor’s cousin was also very lucky to be able to dress up 🙂
Thanks, Gilly. She did the same last year, but was a different princess. She does lots of birthday parties and is in great demand.:)
Perfect, she looks really cute 🙂
The smile on her face. The price for showing her love. That cake must be delicious. It looks like it’s gone in a matter of seconds. Ahihihi
Thanks, Rommel. Yes, the chocolate cake was amazing. I’m getting the recipe. 🙂
I’m echoing Jude I suppose when I say that your family get togethers always seem so loving and warm, Ad. She may be a shadow of herself but Mum still looks the part. And I love that Taylor didn’t ‘recognise’ the Sleeping Princess. 🙂
Thanks, Jo. My dear Mom managed to keep awake for the cake and present opening, but then she just suddenly fell asleep in her chair. It’s really sad to see her like this.
Lovely birthdays even though miles apart. The smiles on their faces bridges the distance. 🙂
Thanks, Lynne. Yes we can feel close, even though we’re not. 🙂
My parents had to make do with regular blue airmail letter-grams and the odd bunch of photos when I lived in SA. Different times! Your family seem to be very close even with the distances involved, and enjoying their respective birthdays!
Yes, it used to be the same for us too. I miss those aerograms arriving in the mail.
Felicitations for your mam and the little girl.Nice photo’s.
Thanks so much. 🙂
I love Skype especially with the kids away at university.
Yes, it’s really great. 🙂
I wish your mom and grandchild a happy birthday. God’s blessings be upon them.
Thank you so much, Imelda. 🙂
Happy Birthday to your dear Mom and Taylor…..love the cakes…so pretty!
Thanks, Annie. 🙂
A visit from sleeping beauty.. so cute!! 🙂
The granddaughters love their princesses. 🙂
Ah the beautiful innocent years 🙂
Happy birthday to these special ‘girls’ in your life.
Thanks, Sue. Yes, they are very special. 🙂
Yes, the distances make it difficult. Glad you could virtually be present!
Thanks so much, Paula. 🙂