Inside-out Day

Inside-out day cupcake

Inside-out day is a celebration I invented to honor Alden spending more time in the outside world than inside Ilana. I hope it is something that catches on because it was really fun to do. My rules for the Inside Out celebration are as follows:

An Inside-out party should be held on a day within a month after the child turns nine months old (or, if you can pin it down, the time between conception and birth... which is usually close to nine months).

The celebration is for well-wishing adults to share knowledge, observations, and interesting physical stuff from the outside world with each other and the child. Other children are encouraged to attend.

Really good food and drink should be provided by the hosting party for the guests.

Pictures should be taken and someone should try to record the 'wisdom' that is shared.
Alden and I wore our T-shirts on the outside of our long-sleeve shirts for Inside-out Day. This was a physical representation of inside-out-ness, and also to teach Alden the importance of dressing like a hipster (in his CBGB T-shirt!!).

Alden playing the drum machine again.
The drum machine was quite popular. Here's Lorna, Willie and Susie's daughter, giving it a go in puppy dog face paint. Take that, Peter Criss!

For Alden's Inside-out celebration Ilana made some delicious squash soup and tortellini salad and I made cupcakes (two awesome foods). We also had cheeses, olives, wine, and homemade bread. We partied from about 2 to 7 and people came and went, usually staying for a couple hours. We played some Bocce and some drum machine, and it was a very enjoyable day.
Bocce withe the Burnes'. Lil' Evelyn Burns cannot be seen here, she's strapped to Ian's back.
Karen and one of Ilana's bosses, Willie Wilson enjoying dinner.

Wisdom that was passed to Alden today includes:
Keep your tax records in one place.
Take care of your health and knees.
Don't trust Whitey.
It's important to keep learning and stay curious.
Don't let other people make you feel bad about the music you like.
Just because you like something doesn't make it good.
You don't have to be the center of the excitement to enjoy what is happening.
Spend time with those who love you.
A good bath at the end of the day sets everything right.