friends at Fernwood Cellars in Gilroy . Nestled at the end of Redwood Retreat Road , it ’ s one of my parents ’ favorite spots . As a band plays and friends picnic on the green , I show off how I can sit up all by myself . Everyone is amazed at how much I have grown and changed .
It ’ s true – so much in fact that I begin to crawl while we are picnicking at Sunrise Park the next afternoon . My Mommy and Daddy start to wave their arms and yell . Neighbors come over and watch , excited to see me reach an important milestone .
I reach another important milestone the following Saturday when I am baptized at St . Mary Church . I ’ m not sure what all the fuss is about , but one day I ’ m sure my parents will explain everything to me . For now , I feel the love of our family and friends who encircle me as the priest says a blessing .
The next afternoon , I get to sit in a big kid high chair at Station 55 , a newly reopened restaurant in downtown on Fifth Street . It is an old favorite of my Mommy and Daddy ’ s . After lunch , we walk down the street to the Gilroy Museum . The building , built in 1910 , houses a treasure trove of more than 25,000 items relating to the history of Gilroy and the South Santa Clara County area .
The next evening , my Mommy and Daddy are talking happily about volunteering again at a festival . I think they mentioned something about garlic . I wonder what they ’ re talking about ?
I don ’ t have to wait long . A couple weeks later , I am smack dab in the middle of Christmas Hill Park . It ’ s filled with people eating and talking about everything garlic . Everything smells delicious ! I stare at the magicians , jugglers and puppets in the Children ’ s Area and imagine one day playing games and
making crafts alongside the big kids . Later , I get my first taste of garlic . It looks like a small vanilla ice cream cone ; just my size , but I don ’ t think I like it so much . Mommy and Daddy seem to enjoy it though . They ’ re having something garlicky called a famous pepper steak sandwich and calamari . And some guys are yelling “ Fire in the Hole ” — it ’ s a little scary but I ’ m not going to cry .
A few weeks later , Mommy says that before long she ’ ll have to order my birthday cake at Penny Cakes . Oh – I can ’ t wait ! I really like cake , especially chocolate cake . A while back , Mommy and I peeked inside the First Street bakery . WOW , the display cases were chuck full of beautiful cupcakes , cookies and other sweet treats . I usually just get animal crackers but a kid can dream can ’ t she ?
That evening we go for another stroller ride around our neighborhood – one of my favorite things ! As the sun sets , my Mommy and Daddy point out the changing leaves on the trees while some really big kids speed by on their scooters .
I am so happy to be discovering my life in Gilroy , where I feel safe and loved . I can ’ t wait to do more exploring soon !
Kelly Barbazette , mother of two girls , grew up in San Jose . She and her family are proud to call Gilroy their home for the past 10 years .
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