Big 4.
Monday, February 4, 2008 at 11:18PM Four years ago today, our girl entered this world. It was 5:25 a.m. on a freezing cold, snowy St. Paul day. She was technically 5 1/2 weeks early, and she ended up staying in the hospital for 8 more days. But she came home healty and tiny and perfect and has been keeping us on our toes ever since. Our lives have never been the same, and you know what’s crazy? It just keeps getting better.
She pretty much had a whole day of partying.
We decorated after she went to bed last night, with streamers and a boquet of these enormous balloons:
I caught her right as she walked in:
They played with the balloons for awhile, because it is freaking awesome to play with floatie things that are bigger than you are.
And then we had breakfast. Or cake. Whatever. Definitely won some Cool Points for this one.
But hey, we had to test out the cupcakes Jared made for her to take to her preschool class, right? Right. Rowen went off to preschool and Jared to work. And then he came home for lunch (grilled hot dogs, chosen by Rowen) and present-opening so this could happen before dark. She got a Care Bear. Big hit:
And what Princess in Giraffe Golashes wouldn’t love a new dump truck filled with sand/water toys? That’s what I thought.
I told her since it was her birthday that she could make a wish.
“What would you like to wish for on your birthday?”
“I wish that I could have a real train that I could ride in. <pause> Oh, and I wish that I could have some tracks so I could put my train on them and then ride in it.”
She got to pick where we went to eat, and she chose our favorite little hole-in-the-wall Mediterranean place, called Baba Ghannouj. They make these killer grilled cheese sandwiches from pita bread and this mysterious delicious white cheese. So. Good. And she loves their rice.
So she marched right up to the counter and said, “It’s my birthday today! I am 4! I would like some cheesy bread and some hummus and some rice.”
And she scored a piece of baklava too. :D
After dinner we walked down (yeah, all good restaurants in North Carolina are in strip malls. I don’t know why this is) to the Marble Slab Creamery for ice cream. She had (what else?) birthday cake ice cream with mini M&Ms.
And then on the way home, she said that this was her best birthday ever. Sure, there isn’t much there in the way of precedent. But I’ll take that compliment anyway. :) Ah, I love this quirky, insanely smart, wonderful girl with all my heart.
Happy birthday, sweet doll. Here’s to many more.
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Reader Comments (20)
Looking at your family photos reminds me of this quote: “Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” - Lao Tzu
May you continually gain strength and courage from the plucky Rowen and the rest of your lovely family.
Many hugs to you!
Happy birthday to you
Happy Birrrrthdaaaay dear Rowen!!!
Happy Birthday to you :)
Sounds like a fabulous day
and I LOVE those giraffe boots!
Love the color of your walls too !!!
A funny - I am pregnant with my third and my oldest told me he was so happy I was carrying 'his' baby for 'him'. His daddy doesn't even tell me sweet things like THAT!
I just LOVE when you describe things this way!!! For one thing, it is pure truth; for another, it is just so amazing to see life this way.
Here's a link to s'more proof of the above statement (I had just barely learned about scrapbooking then, forgive the layout please!!!)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2210/2251105621_cfa8a2578e.jpg