So, before this 19th day of May, 2019, I thought all birthdays were created equal…You know, that all were filled with sweet surprises and excitement built up over months of count downs, crescendoing in heart warming moments of sheer happiness…Along with, as the parent, that ever present bittersweet pill that you have to swallow every year – the one that annually sucker punches you in the throat with the realisation that you baby is swiftly moving further and further away from being an actual baby. (Even though that very same sentiment is beautifully laced with the absolute honor and joy of getting to witness your child grow up, savour and enjoy this world…I mean that is the ultimate goal right? To raise these well adjusted individuals who can go forth into this world and discover, be happy, spread love and grow…)
I thought all birthdays, whilst each very wonderful & exciting, were the same in that its an amazing celebration of another year. But now, having had the honour of living through and witnessing an 8 year old birthday of my very own flesh and blood, I realised how wrong I was!
There’s something so special about the 8th one. There’s a marked change in that little person. Its hard to describe: She’s still very much that little girl- baby face and all- but suddenly there’s these glints of maturing beauty & spirit. Of attitude and new understanding of life. Of confidence, and a growing desire to explore this world. (She’s always had that – but even more so now.) There’s a new level of independence, and a craving for even more. And to my delight, I see a stronger and tighter bond forming between her and me again. (I say again, because for the past year, it’s been a tenuous time in her and my relationship – possibly me just not understanding her and not always having the patience for it. Or being far too alike to ever agree with each other. But suddenly, and without warning, the tension has snapped and we’re back to being snuggle buds who know better how to bring out the best in each other.)
Having a freshly turned 8 in the home is honestly a bit like being in the parenting twilight zone, where they straddle both the babylands of adorableness & cuddles, as well, as the inevitable and undeniable territory of a blossoming little lady. A lady who loves gaming & hip hop & wants to start her own YouTube channel. A lady who’s a sucker for LOL dolls and collecting key chains for her bag. A little lady who’s the most incredible bookworm I have EVER come across, and polishes off chapter books like she’s getting paid to do it. Who’s crazy about Minecraft, loves Famous Five, keeping journals & special pens. Who plays her best with boys, but has secret handshakes with her girls only gang. She is the epitome of interesting paradoxes. And I love watching it all unfold.
And in those moments where I want to wonder if my little girl is growing up too fast, it’s the real magic of eight – the shimmery imagination and trust of great possibilities, and belief in Santa Clause, the Tooth fairy and Easter bunny – that brings me home. She’s growing beautifully.
Eight years ago, this darling girl of ours, burst forth into this world with all the kind of joy and happiness one seeks in a lifetime, and made me a mother. She peeled back layers of me, and helped me grow a new skin – one of motherhood – and set me on a path of great adventures. Eight years, we’re still adventuring because of her.
We didnt get to do a proper celebration of her this year due to viruses, and hospital stays with Remy-James. And we respectfully asked that no one with so much as a sniffle come to our home – as we simply couldnt risk exposing Remy to more germs and end up back in hospital. He is just too small. So celebrations were simple this year…but we promised a make up day for sure!
But we sure started the day right!
Traditional Breakfast in bed with Balloon wake-up…
Complete with poptarts (fudge flavour)…
And Coco really loved it….
Morgy received a little box as a gift- which completely threw her off as she was hoping to get that big book on Minecraft.
Inside was a note that lead her to the balcony/playroom. (it’s been a neglected part of the home and Ive always to turn it into a special playroom area/reading for the kids. And with her being such an avid reader, and always looking for a place to escape the chaos of the home to just read, I thought it was a perfect time & reason to get started on it for her. For them all, but this time, just for her…Also, inside the Teepee was her much coveted Minecraft Block-o-pedia she’d been eyeing everytime we go to the bookstore.
Of course I only had so much energy – I had been up for weeks on end with a household of sickies and a tiny baby who had just been released from hospital. So energies were low, but the Teepee reading corner was perfect for her, even though it was basic.(We took about 20-30 min to put it all together using what we had in the home already. I will share more pix as we improve along the way)
Everyone loved it! But especially Morgan – her sisters couldn’t get her to come out and play till I gave her a bit of a nudge!
Later the grans come around, and we could all have a special lunch that lasted till dinner. It was complete with cake!
Of course I had zero in my tank to bake – that is the first time EVER in my life that I have not baked for my kids, so you can imagine how broken I must have been. (I’m still recovering) But grandma saved the day and baked a delcicious strawberry and chocolate squarish cake to go with the Minecraft request from the birthday girl. I had promised to make her minecraft fondant decor, but guys…refer to the above mini moan sesh there about me being tired- there was not way I was going to stay up in the night to mold sugar into pretty squares.
So just as she hit me with the “but you PROMISED!”, I turned it on it’s head and said, “well, big surpise! This year is SO special because YOU & Parker get to decorate it!”…I sold that story like I had been planning it all this time,but honesty it just came to me in the moment. (Desperate times,folks!) Which was met with absolute delight!…(Guys, I swear Im just making up these mom moves as I go! 🙂 )
The fondant modelling was a hit – either that or my girls are the sweetest and know how to not make me feel bad about dropping the ball.
So we all three spent about 20 min modelling a minecraft pig and creeper, and slapped them on the cake so that someone could blow out her candles!
There were some questionable shapes there! But as my Morgy sarcastically and hysterically said, “NAILED IT!” (she’s a huge fan of the tv show)
Looking at her that night..even with things not panning out perfectly as I had planned for…watching her accept the situation gracefully and with such pleasantness…watching her enjoy the day, the people, the mini celebration…soaking all the joy she can from what is given….I felt ever so grateful for this little girl choosing ME to be her mama. And to have another year to witness this magic of an 8 year old.
Happy BIrthday my babycakes! You are SO loved & adored.