I can hardly believe our first sweet girl is six years old! It really does happen fast! And while I love reminiscing about the once cherubic, round-faced baby she was - I just love love her so much right here and now, that I can't help but just be excited to celebrate her! I actually wasn't planning on doing a party for her this year, but as she started kindergarten and has made little friends, she was just so excited, and asked - and how could I say no? I did tell her I wanted to keep it simple and a lightbulb suddenly went on that you don't have to have a theme to celebrate a birthday ;) I told her to simply think of some of her favorite people, some of her favorite things to do, and some of her favorite snacks - and then we'd add cupcakes to top it off.
So, she decided playing at the park was a favorite. She made a list of 10 friends (because that's how many invitations we had) - and she hand-wrote those invitations herself, she was so proud. Her teacher helped her secretly put them in folders to go home. No e-vite here! She also thought a piñata would be super fun - so I got a piñata and put some lollipops inside. She picked out goldfish crackers, cheese sticks, and chocolate milk as the snacks, and I made cupcakes. January can be a little bit of a chance with the weather - but we decided to plan on an outside party at the park and bundle up if it was cold. It was actually a pretty nice day - but because of the wind, it was a little chilly. That did not hold the kids back one bit! They were chasing each other around the playground, laughing, smiling - and having a wonderful time just playing together. We did the piñata, sang to our sweet Aspen - who couldn't hide her grins and giggles at being the birthday girl. And then one by one, we headed home.
I joked to the other moms at the party that this was my "anti pinterest party". Because as fun, and beautiful - and let's be real - stressful - a perfectly planned and photo-ready party can be - this was just as big of a hit. And it was all Aspen's idea, which made it that much better.
Something else we did this year is that we talked about how we have plenty of toys and that she would be getting a gift or two from her family. We talked about how her special day she came into the world was a day where she could also GIVE a gift to make the world a better place - because we all know the world is a better place because she was born ;) So, after talking about various ideas, she decided she wanted to do something to help babies. The attacks in Paris happened recently and as we talked about what happened, and the many people, families, and babies who were refugees, she decided that she wanted to help the refugee babies. So, in lieu of gifts, she asked that her friends bring diapers to help her make a big donation to help the refugee babies. It was such an awesome experience!
I took her, along with her siblings, a week or so after her party, to the Refugee Services of Central Texas. There, we waited among refugees to make the donation. I had given them a heads up that we were coming and they made such a big deal about it. We all had such a wonderful experience as she gave her gift to those babies and families in need. I hope it is a tradition we will continue - I think it really impressed my children's hearts, as well as my own. Little people can do big things.
All and all, it was a fabulous birthday - a wonderful way to celebrate the life of one of the very most sweet and beautiful girls we know, inside as well as out. We are so blessed to have Aspen as a daughter and for the light she is to all those around her. Happiest of Birthdays, Sweet Aspen Jane! We love you!!!
1. not a bad way to wake up to a new year
2. our little sunbeam/monkey in a tree at church
3. nothing better than a freshly made bed with a freshly clean baby
4. the flu got the best of us (those lashes, though!)
5. i love him!
6. croquet weather
7. tubby time (and oh that silly smile!)
8. winter in texas isn't half bad
9. little motorist
10. a visit from the tooth fairy
11. sno-balls after school (winter in texas isn't half bad, take 2)
12. sweetest sisters
13. my rose bush is still blooming (winter in texas isn't half bad, take 3)
14. broom hockey, baby!
15. goodbye 38 and hello 39!
16. i'd follow her anywhere
17. birthday hiking
18. art gallery-ing, seuss style (not shown: star wars art!)
19. bouldering baby
20. waiting for her buddies at nature school
A couple of weeks ago, Sawyer came bouncing into the kitchen, where I was preparing dinner. He wore a grin from ear to ear, and I kid you not - he had a little twinkle in his eye. "I think I have a loose tooth!" he said. At seven-and-a-half years old, he has been feeling his teeth for months, hoping to find a loose tooth. Often when we go to floss and brush his teeth in the evening, we even check for him. But this time - it was true! I felt his bottom right tooth, and sure enough, it was wiggly! Quite wiggly, in fact!
He kept bouncing around the house, doing nothing in particular. I asked him if he was bored. "No, I'm just excited!" And then, he asked me, "Mom - will you take a picture of me before my tooth falls out? Once it falls out my smile will change forever, you know." Okay, so I had been bouncing around all excited for him, too - and then he pulls that one out and yanks right on all the mama-strings in my heart. "Of course!" I tell him - partly super excited for him, and partly sad that this little milestone seemed to suddenly sneak up so fast.
I told him I wouldn't be surprised if he lost his tooth in a day or two at most, so perhaps we should do it right then? And so, we did. Seven year old Sawyer, first grade. First loose tooth. He is such a handsome, smart, and fun little boy. I love him SO much. My firstborn. Just look at his gorgeous eyes. Still such an innocent soul. His world is made up of legos and outdoor adventures. Of wearing shorts every.single.day because he can't stand "long sleeves" of any sort. Of wearing pajamas whenever possible. Of dashing around the house either dressed up as a werewolf, or with his light saber. Of star wars and dragons. Of detailed pencil drawings and nature journaling. Of little treasures hidden in secret places, and piles of books on his dresser (he's a big reader, and an amazing one for his age). Oh, this boy. This BOY.
Sure enough, his tooth fell out that very night. In the middle of the night. When I woke up I went to check on him and he was about to burst into tears. He was making his bed (he amazingly makes his bed every morning before he gets dressed, without even a single prod from me - mind blown!) and I said "did you lose your tooth?" to which he relied "I LOST my tooth!" He then told me that it came out during the night, and he held it tight in his hand the rest of the night, but when he woke up to use the bathroom, he accidentally flushed it down the toilet. He was so upset. "How will the tooth fairy find me if I don't have my tooth?"
We had a little chat and I assured him that the tooth fairy would find him - and that children lost their lost teeth (sometimes they even swallow them!) quite often. I told him the tooth fairy would know when to come when he wrote a little note and left it out for her (at least he thinks it's a her). Two nights later, he was ready to write that note. And so, he did. And to his amazement, she even wrote him back! She left him a tiny little wooden treasure box on his dresser. It was filled with chocolate gold coins (he still hasn't eaten them all, two weeks later!), 2 quarters, and a tiny little note rolled up in a scroll (as you would expect in a treasure box ;) tied with a tiny piece of what looked to be embroidery floss. Her note said that it was okay that he couldn't find his lost tooth, and that (just as I thought) it was a pretty common occurrence. To avoid misplacing it in the future, she left him the treasure box, and told him that next time he loses a tooth he can keep it safe in the box. She said that she usually brings coins but it depends on her mood - sometime she might even bring something fun like stickers or tiny tattoos. To say he was excited about the tooth fairy assigned to his teeth - well, I'm sure you can imagine.
Pure Magic.
I told him we should call him "toothless" (he loves the books/movies "How to Train your Dragon" so it seemed fitting).
So - his smile has changed, forever. And I think I'm okay with it (he sure looks cute with a missing tooth!)
