On Saturday we celebrated my abuela’s 80th birthday. My grandmother wanted pictures with as many of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren as possible. Almost everyone was there and we had a great time.
In honor of her 80 years we decorated tables to represent significant birthdays in her life. 1, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80. A few of my favorites: The first year included pictures of each of her eight children as babies since we do not have a photo of her as a baby. We figure she probably looked like one of them. For 50, two nopales (her favorite food) and her tortilla press that she has now used for 61 years. Year 40 included a cut out of the Sun Bus (local bus line) with my abuela as the driver and grandchildren as passengers. My abuela takes the bus everywhere! We even thought about posting her party invitation there.
Each table also had a cake or cupcakes and my grandmother went to each table to blow out a candle while we alternated singing happy birthday in English and Spanish. It was a joyous evening with delicious food made by my cousins, great music and a family slideshow. I loved seeing everyone together.
I made a banana caramel cake (pictured) for the nopales table that my mom decorated. The cake was a big hit but the most loved desserts were the cupcakes. The kids went crazy for them. Especially the giant ones my aunt brought.
Ma’ Maria (as we call her) loves roses and nopales. It felt like everyone brought roses or nopales for her. My cousin and nephew even made a beautiful nopal from foam and tissue paper.
This party is just another reminder of why I am back in California. My family is amazing and I can’t wait to spend more time with all of them. Especially my abuelita.
The photos above (from left to right, top to bottom) Ma’ Maria’s children, the grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nopales table, Ma’ Maria-24 years old, the food table, sun bus table, Ma’ Maria and banana caramel cake, Ma’ Maria’s children-1966 Mexico (including a cousin and the youngest is my Uncle Justin who died in 2002)
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You have her eyes. And THAT CAKE LOOKS DELICIOUS! Sounds beautiful.
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graceelena Reply:
August 12th, 2010 at 00:55
Thank you! Yes, all of the family has her eyes. It is our identifying family feature.
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