A Birthday Surprise
Audrey was three years old with a fourth birthday approaching. She was a precocious thing, with huge hazel eyes and penchant for fit throwing, but she was perfect. Her mother was the younger sibling of two by a decade, and the older sister had been unable to have children of her own, so Audrey was the only child surrounded from birth by six adoring adults. This resulted in a person who was a unique amalgam of infant and crotchety old lady, but one that knew her mind and assumed she knew the minds of those around her equally well.
For her birthday her nanny had suggested violin lessons, because Audrey absolutely loved the tiny plastic version that played recorded songs when she moved the bow across it. But at the suggestion of lessons Audrey had proudly proclaimed that she already knew “how to play the stick”, so that idea was quashed. A trip to the beach? Audrey didn’t like “sand in her crunch”. How about a bicycle? The helmet would “quash her hair”. Each suggestion was shot down with the exasperation of someone who has lived many many lifetimes and is simply too tired of it all to care much anymore. As the birthday approached the adults sighed with equal parts humor and frustration and decided the tiny dictator would get what she got and would like it…or not.
But amongst the adults was one who knew all the things, and usually had all the answers, and one who had a special treat up his sleeve for the big day. He told no one, and as usual, kept his cards close and his smile suppressed as the rest of the party scrambled frantically to find something they thought would please the irascible darling on her big day.
The birthday dawned bright and clear, as days tend to do in Southern springs. Audrey requested her best blue princess dress and plastic glass slippers for the day. Auntie came over early to help her get ready and pulled her hair into a high bun and applied just a touch of lip-gloss to her tiny pout. She made a grand entrance to a chorus of the birthday song and blew out four bright pink candles on a cake very nearly half her size. When it came time for presents, she sat surrounded by boxes and bows, and laughingly proclaimed “I guess you can tell I like presents”.
When darkness fell her poppa quietly said, “now it’s time for my birthday surprise”. The family exchanged confused and speculative glances as they loaded into the station wagon and set off. Audrey’s mother said, “good heavens dad, you didn’t get her an ACTUAL pony, did you?” as they drove into the country. Poppa simply smiled.
Up ahead they saw a huge field crowded with people, and something else unidentifiable. They all piled out of the car and stood looking at each other as poppa lifted Audrey and walked away. A few yards ahead they saw Poppa plop Audrey into a basket, and then climb in himself, and then with a few blasts of air and a loud “whoosh” hot air began to inflate the balloon. But not only the balloon that Audrey and Poppa were in, but balloons all over the field. Within minutes the air was full of enormous glowing balls of colored light, being piloted together over the field. The family on the ground could see that the balloon Audrey was in was tethered, so it only lifted off the ground a few dozen yards, but inside the balloon basket was another view entirely. Poppa saw Audrey’s eyes grow wide, first with worry, then quickly with wonder. Her tiny jaw dropped open, and for the first time in her life, she was silent. She was awestruck, up among the balloons.
Once on the ground she ran back to the waiting family, but still could find no words. Poppa simply smiled, and nanny looked at him and said, “well aren’t you a sly one”. Audrey was quiet almost all the way home, but as they reached the drive she looked up from her revery and said “Poppa is my favorite”.
Audrey was three years old with a fourth birthday approaching. She was a precocious thing, with huge hazel eyes and penchant for fit throwing, but she was perfect. Her mother was the younger sibling of two by a decade, and the older sister had been unable to have children of her own, so Audrey was the only child surrounded from birth by six adoring adults. This resulted in a person who was a unique amalgam of infant and crotchety old lady, but one that knew her mind and assumed she knew the minds of those around her equally well.
For her birthday her nanny had suggested violin lessons, because Audrey absolutely loved the tiny plastic version that played recorded songs when she moved the bow across it. But at the suggestion of lessons Audrey had proudly proclaimed that she already knew “how to play the stick”, so that idea was quashed. A trip to the beach? Audrey didn’t like “sand in her crunch”. How about a bicycle? The helmet would “quash her hair”. Each suggestion was shot down with the exasperation of someone who has lived many many lifetimes and is simply too tired of it all to care much anymore. As the birthday approached the adults sighed with equal parts humor and frustration and decided the tiny dictator would get what she got and would like it…or not.
But amongst the adults was one who knew all the things, and usually had all the answers, and one who had a special treat up his sleeve for the big day. He told no one, and as usual, kept his cards close and his smile suppressed as the rest of the party scrambled frantically to find something they thought would please the irascible darling on her big day.
The birthday dawned bright and clear, as days tend to do in Southern springs. Audrey requested her best blue princess dress and plastic glass slippers for the day. Auntie came over early to help her get ready and pulled her hair into a high bun and applied just a touch of lip-gloss to her tiny pout. She made a grand entrance to a chorus of the birthday song and blew out four bright pink candles on a cake very nearly half her size. When it came time for presents, she sat surrounded by boxes and bows, and laughingly proclaimed “I guess you can tell I like presents”.
When darkness fell her poppa quietly said, “now it’s time for my birthday surprise”. The family exchanged confused and speculative glances as they loaded into the station wagon and set off. Audrey’s mother said, “good heavens dad, you didn’t get her an ACTUAL pony, did you?” as they drove into the country. Poppa simply smiled.
Up ahead they saw a huge field crowded with people, and something else unidentifiable. They all piled out of the car and stood looking at each other as poppa lifted Audrey and walked away. A few yards ahead they saw Poppa plop Audrey into a basket, and then climb in himself, and then with a few blasts of air and a loud “whoosh” hot air began to inflate the balloon. But not only the balloon that Audrey and Poppa were in, but balloons all over the field. Within minutes the air was full of enormous glowing balls of colored light, being piloted together over the field. The family on the ground could see that the balloon Audrey was in was tethered, so it only lifted off the ground a few dozen yards, but inside the balloon basket was another view entirely. Poppa saw Audrey’s eyes grow wide, first with worry, then quickly with wonder. Her tiny jaw dropped open, and for the first time in her life, she was silent. She was awestruck, up among the balloons.
Once on the ground she ran back to the waiting family, but still could find no words. Poppa simply smiled, and nanny looked at him and said, “well aren’t you a sly one”. Audrey was quiet almost all the way home, but as they reached the drive she looked up from her revery and said “Poppa is my favorite”.
Audrey was three years old with a fourth birthday approaching. She was a precocious thing, with huge hazel eyes and penchant for fit throwing, but she was perfect. Her mother was the younger sibling of two by a decade, and the older sister had been unable to have children of her own, so Audrey was the only child surrounded from birth by six adoring adults. This resulted in a person who was a unique amalgam of infant and crotchety old lady, but one that knew her mind and assumed she knew the minds of those around her equally well.
For her birthday her nanny had suggested violin lessons, because Audrey absolutely loved the tiny plastic version that played recorded songs when she moved the bow across it. But at the suggestion of lessons Audrey had proudly proclaimed that she already knew “how to play the stick”, so that idea was quashed. A trip to the beach? Audrey didn’t like “sand in her crunch”. How about a bicycle? The helmet would “quash her hair”. Each suggestion was shot down with the exasperation of someone who has lived many many lifetimes and is simply too tired of it all to care much anymore. As the birthday approached the adults sighed with equal parts humor and frustration and decided the tiny dictator would get what she got and would like it…or not.
But amongst the adults was one who knew all the things, and usually had all the answers, and one who had a special treat up his sleeve for the big day. He told no one, and as usual, kept his cards close and his smile suppressed as the rest of the party scrambled frantically to find something they thought would please the irascible darling on her big day.
The birthday dawned bright and clear, as days tend to do in Southern springs. Audrey requested her best blue princess dress and plastic glass slippers for the day. Auntie came over early to help her get ready and pulled her hair into a high bun and applied just a touch of lip-gloss to her tiny pout. She made a grand entrance to a chorus of the birthday song and blew out four bright pink candles on a cake very nearly half her size. When it came time for presents, she sat surrounded by boxes and bows, and laughingly proclaimed “I guess you can tell I like presents”.
When darkness fell her poppa quietly said, “now it’s time for my birthday surprise”. The family exchanged confused and speculative glances as they loaded into the station wagon and set off. Audrey’s mother said, “good heavens dad, you didn’t get her an ACTUAL pony, did you?” as they drove into the country. Poppa simply smiled.
Up ahead they saw a huge field crowded with people, and something else unidentifiable. They all piled out of the car and stood looking at each other as poppa lifted Audrey and walked away. A few yards ahead they saw Poppa plop Audrey into a basket, and then climb in himself, and then with a few blasts of air and a loud “whoosh” hot air began to inflate the balloon. But not only the balloon that Audrey and Poppa were in, but balloons all over the field. Within minutes the air was full of enormous glowing balls of colored light, being piloted together over the field. The family on the ground could see that the balloon Audrey was in was tethered, so it only lifted off the ground a few dozen yards, but inside the balloon basket was another view entirely. Poppa saw Audrey’s eyes grow wide, first with worry, then quickly with wonder. Her tiny jaw dropped open, and for the first time in her life, she was silent. She was awestruck, up among the balloons.
Once on the ground she ran back to the waiting family, but still could find no words. Poppa simply smiled, and nanny looked at him and said, “well aren’t you a sly one”. Audrey was quiet almost all the way home, but as they reached the drive she looked up from her revery and said “Poppa is my favorite”.
This delightful pullover is made from mid-century flour sacks circa 1955-60. 100% handmade by the artist. Flour sacks sourced from Arkansas
Measurements: Bust 48 Waist 48 Length 19’ no stretch
Care Instructions and General Information: This one of a kind blouse is fashioned from material that is approximately 70 years old. It should be hand washed in warm water and laid flat to dry, ironed on high heat and starched to retain crispness. Due to the age there may be minor discolorations or areas of wear commiserate with age. This is normal and to be considered as part of the beauty of the garment
NO refunds of exchanges due to the one of a kind nature of the garment