Party Hearty

Here are a few photos from Madelyn's Doll Tea Birthday Party with a few of her friends on Saturday morning.  This was the first time we did a "friend" birthday party, and we all had a ton of fun.  This is a lovely group of girls, and we are so grateful that Maddie has such fun, sweet, thoughtful friends!

 

 Henry and I brought cupcakes to Madelyn's preschool class on her birthday, per her very specific request ("princess cupcakes with princess rings on top").  "As you wish!"

 At long last, Kit arrived just in time for Madelyn's actual birthday!  About 3 months ago, she decided that she desperately needed an American Girl doll, Kit to be specific.  Given my own history with my precious Kirsten, I supported this plan.  But, like my parents told me, we told her she had to earn half the money herself.  So she has spent this whole summer saving every penny of her allowance and doing extra chores (and a lemonade/cookie stand) to earn the $50 for Kit.  She did it.  We placed the order for Kit two days before her birthday (as far as she knows), and Kit literally showed up on our doorstep first thing on the morning of the 10th.  She has pretty much gone everywhere with Madelyn since then.  Pretty great.

 Celebrating Madelyn's birthday with the Rankertyintzsted's (our group of friends).  We get together every second Sunday of the month and celebrate all birthdays in the month.  Maddie's is the only one in September.  Look at how much she loves these people.  We love them too.

September 10

Our baby girl turned five years old today.  Five!  That's a whole hand worth of fingers.  It's a big deal.  I'm looking at the time right now (10:16 p.m.), and I'm remembering that five years ago this moment, I had known my daughter for less than an hour.  That seems just impossible to me because I feel like there has never been a time when I didn't know her.  When her face didn't dance through my thoughts or her laugh ring in my ears.  I am learning that perhaps the greatest joy of parenting is discovering who your children are, and I feel like we're really getting to know our girl...how she sees the world, what excites her and what terrifies her, how she sees other people, what she values.  This year between four and five years old felt pivotal in that she no longer rides the fence between "baby" and "girl" -- she is most definitely not our baby anymore.  She is sophisticated in so many ways and fiercely independent and feisty and sensitive and compassionate and utterly determined to reach her goals.  And yet...  I rocked her to sleep last night -- for the first time in well over a year -- all curled up in my lap after she fell out of bed and totally busted up her bottom lip (those full lips of hers didn't need to get any fuller, let me tell you).  She was so upset, and even though I completely celebrate her growth and development and delight in seeing her begin to make her own way and choose her own life, I relished those 30 minutes of dependence and intimacy.  I know things often get complicated with mothers and daughters, but I hope Madelyn knows that no matter how old she is or what path she has taken or what other busted lips life gives her, she can always return to her mama's arms. 

Happy Birthday, sweet girl.  It is a privilege and a blessing to have you in our family.  We delight in you, and we love you!