I OCCASIONALLY CALL HIM “darling Everett.” His parents sometimes call him “Sweet Pea.” He is my grandson Everett, who recently turned one and whose birthday we celebrated in Madison, Wisconsin, on Sunday.
For one day, he was also “The Boss Baby.” That 2017 movie themed Everett’s party with watching the film a prerequisite for party-goers. Everett likely could have cared less whether he was a birthday boss. He did, however, look adorable in his upper management tuxedo style onesie worn for photos only. The size two suit was too small and couldn’t be bottom snapped onto his nearly 30-pound lengthy body. So off it came shortly after the party began.
Everett has been above average in size since birth. His wide chest and 10-pound birth weight complicated his delivery with my daughter nearly dying due to severe postpartum hemorrhaging that required three units of blood. So, yes, this party brought back memories of Everett’s difficult birth and how thankful we all are that his mama survived.
Here was this beautiful baby boy a year later strapped into his high chair fisting a thin slice of a custom made Boss Baby three-layer cake, all eyes on him. As we—parents, maternal grandparents, aunt, uncle, cousins and a family friend—gathered round to sing “Happy birthday,” Everett took it all in. And I felt the love that comes with celebrating someone you love deeply and widely.
I know I am biased as Everett’s grandma. But he is one cute baby with a head full of blonde curls. He was born with dark, straight hair. In the past year, this one-year-old has grown and changed so much, as babies do. Everett began walking on his birthday and by party day moved with confidence. His new-found skill brought many a smile.
It was a joy-filled afternoon for all nine of us gathered on a cold January afternoon in eastern Wisconsin to celebrate Everett. We laughed, took lots of photos of the birthday boy while he ate his cake and sort of opened gifts. We played Everett BINGO, a customized game that tested our knowledge of the birthday boy. He could have been a Felix or a Cora. Ceiling fans once mesmerized him. His favorite Pokemon is Pikachu, according to his two young Minnesota cousins.
These are the memories I hold now of my grandson’s first birthday party, the memories I carried back to my southern Minnesota home a four-hour drive away. I miss Everett already. I also missed out on holding and cuddling him because he would have none of that. From anyone. He’s become a mama and daddy’s boy in the presence of anyone mostly unfamiliar to him, dear family or not. That was hard on me. I wanted to scoop Everett into my arms, hold him, read to him, do all those things grandmas do with their grandbabies. I recognize this as a phase because Everett’s mama was the same way at this age.
For now I hope frequent video calls will grow Everett’s trust of me. His oldest cousin Izzy, 9, has an even better idea: Move closer to family. If only The Boss Baby would make an executive decision to relocate hundreds of miles west to Minnesota. Or at least far western Wisconsin. The Minnesota division of his company would appreciate that immensely, thank you.
© Copyright 2026 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Happy Birthday Everett!!
Awww, thank you so much.
what a living doll he is! that was the perfect theme for him and it so perfect that he couldn’t fit in the planned outfit. when you said how big he is it did remind me of the scare you all went through on behalf of your daughter when giving birth to Everett. I’m so glad that is all behind you now and everyone is healthy and clearly thriving. I love the Bingo game and that you all had a chance to spend quality time together. I know you will always find ways to stay connected and understand how hard that is to leave after every time you get together. I hope this visit buoyed your spirit and I’m sure it came at just the right time as things have a way of working out as they are meant to. ❤
Thank you, Beth. Yes, this birthday celebration came at just the right time, giving us a few days reprieve from what’s happening in Minnesota with ICE. To be together with loved ones celebrating our darling Everett, well, it was much-needed. That said, I told my daughter and son-in-law not to come to Minnesota any time soon because of ICE racially-profiling people.
good call –
I guess I’ll have to watch Boss Baby sometime. I do like the cake and the tuxedo….
The movie was funny in the beginning. But then I got bored and didn’t watch all of it. For me to watch a movie, it has to be really good.
As a grandma, it always makes me so happy to hear about your visits with your grandchildren. 💞💞💞 It’s so hard to believe Everett is one already. Time goes by too fast!!
Can never have too much time with the grandchildren. I’m fortunate that two are only a 35-minute drive away, unlike little Everett four hours away. But then I have friends whose grandchildren live across the country and world, which would be really hard.
Oh, Audrey, I can hear the love for this little boy so clearly and I totally understand. After many years of hoping, I now am the proud grandmother of Finn, who is a little over three months. They just visited, and the minute they walked out the door to return to White Bear Lake, I began missing him. He has become our heart, that sweet little human being. I am so glad you had time with Everett, your sweet little human being!
Sheri
First, Sheri, congratulations on becoming a grandma. It’s the best thing ever! When they leave, or when you leave them, your heart aches. I get that. Thank you for sharing your new joy with me.