The Second Party

May 13

1. Your humble (not) publisher

2. Lara models the clothes that great-uncle Gerhard sent

3. Oooooo

4. It's all about you, Gerhard!

5. Bump-a-daze!

6. Hey, Grandpa!

7. The opera singer

8. Your turn, Grandpa

9. 

10. Aren't I clever!

11. Charles, pianist

12. It takes concentration

13. OK, he's no Mozart, but it's a cheery tune

14. Lara dispatches paper towels

15. and recommences climbing the stairs from the basement to the main floor

16. Lotte and the jewelbeetle backpack (a present given Lara)

17. She takes a shine to the critter

18. We all laugh

19. Your publisher, in profile

20. Is the popsicle sweet or sour? Or just cold?

21. Lara ponders this question

22. Caroline reads to Lara - Caroline is the first of many party guests to arrive (with parents, bien sur ...)

23. 

24. Michael, neighbor from two doors away

25. and brother Nathanial

26. Tomoe and Keigo

27. Megan (neighbor)

28. Michael, Diane's son

29. Diane and Joseph

30. 8 1/2 months - with Aimee and Anna

31. This one's for Linda

32. The bird feeder of destiny (Kathi's present to Rainer for his birthday, which coincides with Lara's birthday, May 12). Glen and Kate look on; Pascale too.

33. Hannah all dressed up

34. Petey and Erin

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38. Delicious cake from Sam's Club: chocolate with custard filling, and, carrot

39. The theme of the year is "Dora"

40. Anna and Aimee

41. Hannah is perhaps Lara's favorite person apart from Mommy and Daddy and Grandma and Grandpa and ...

42. Hannah lifts Lara nearer the candle

43. The flame burns

44. Inhale ...

45. Mission accomplished! We don't know what she wished for, though.

46. Grandpa with Grace (Danielle and Glen's)

47. 

48. Rainer nears his cake ... with Michael and Carter

49. ditto

50. Another wish wished

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54. Two-fisted

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57. 

58. Joseph and Michael (brothers)

59. Rainer and Ryo

60. Nicholas

61. Nicholas

62. Nicholas and Mom Cynthia

63. Lara applies icing as makeup, or, simulated mustache and beard

64. 

65. Lotte gets into these kiddy carts

66. 

67. Josh

68. 

69. Petey and Erin with parents Peter and Virginia

70. 

71. Grandma with Carter and Lara. Carter lives across the street, brother to Hannah.

72. Michael, Pascale and Hannah

73. Derrick (hannah and Carter's father)

74. Joseph

75. Diane

76. Danielle and Glen with Kate and Grace

77. Nathalie

78. Aimee with Anna and Maeve

79. ditto

80. Grandma with Carter and Lara

81. The loot

82. Grandma with Aimee

83. Maeve

84. Anna and Maeve

85. Julie's lilacs

86. Denise

87. Maeve

88. Blow that pinwheel

89. Kathi takes over opening presents ... Lara was distracted ...

90. 

91. Eileen with Lara

92. "Tie a blue ribbon..." - Kathi gets punchy

93. 

94. Lara's getting sleepy ... it's been a long day with lots of excitement

95. Rainer displays a stiff upper lip, but we're all getting tired ...

96. Anna

97. Maeve

98. You can't see him, but Mike's on the phone

99. Caterpiller tunnel - Anna and Maeve

100. Lara emerges the far end