Something I appreciate about Kylee is her sweet tooth. Snickers Blizzard Ice Cream Cake- YUM!
Playing Pinkalicious and celebrating with my parents was a blast!
Trying to avoid a major blood sugar crash- giant lemonade at the ballpark? Yes, please.
The tradition continues- waking up to a room filled with balloons is a great way to start a birthday!
Current favorite color? You guessed it, yellow.
She totally gets bonus points for sharing her brand new ice cream scented bubbles with her big bro.
Come on, you knew Kylee was going to spend the day in her fanciest dress (and matching accessories), right?
I'm not really the mom who usually gets emotional about my kids' birthdays. Yes, they're growing up. Yes, I often wish I had the power to freeze time. Yes, I wish I could go back and do it all again.
This year I felt differently. I can't believe Kylee is 4. Friends checked and double checked, "Are you sure she's just four? I could have sworn she was turning five." It's true. Kylee is incredibly mature for her age and in some ways (think potty training, early talking, etc.) that makes mre really happy and proud. In some ways it makes me a little sad. I don't have a baby anymore. I don't have a toddler anymore. I have a little girl. A mini Laura. She looks grown up; she acts grown up. Even the way she speaks is grown up. Yesterday some friends were over and Kylee was playing dress up with the little girl when the older brother tried to walk in Kylee's room. "Excuse me," she said politely, "it's not really appropriate for boys to be in the room when little girls are trying to change their clothes. But you can come back in a few minutes if you'd like."
I swore I wouldn't mention Kael in Kylee's birthday post, but it has to be said that I think everything that we've gone through with Kael has kind of forced Kylee to grow up quickly. We expect a lot out of her, because she comes through every time and has shown us she can handle the responsibility.
She has a way about her that I am finding it difficult to put into words. She is flexible around Kael, letting him have his way when she can tell he's about to break. Other times, it's as if she can sense he needs to be pushed a little so she firmly stands her ground. Her ability to read people and meet them at their level will surely serve her well.
Kylee is nothing if not dynamic. She really is one in a million. I once told her wistfully, "Oh, there will just never be another Kylee." To which she replied, "Yes there will Mom, I already know another Kylee and she's in my class at church." Oh. Duh Laura. Did I mention that she's awfully smart, too?
This year for Kylee's birthday I wanted to make a really special cake. I had something like this in mind. She wanted this. Hmm. It looks like a pretty easy cake to do...it's just that the cake didn't scream "Kylee" to me at all. It didn't even whisper it. I didn't want to talk her into something she didn't want because her strong will and her inability to be swayed is something that I truly admire about her. I lamented to friends and family about how years from now we would all laugh at the fact I made Kael a guitar (something he LOVES) cake for his birthday, and Kylee got a fish (something she's not really interested in) cake for hers.
I dropped hints a few times throughout the week, "Kylee before I buy the ingredients for the fish cake, are you sure that's what you want? I could do a ladybug? A butterfly?" but I didn't push the issue at all. Sure enough, she changed her mind. But not because of something I suggested. She came up with her own idea. "How about a watermelon cake?" she asked. Deal. But I do have the fish cake bookmarked in case she decides she wants it next year. :)
We are so blessed. Since a lot of my family lives so close, I knew that Kylee would receive lots of birthday phone calls. But I have to tell you that Kent's family ALWAYS pulls through on birthday wishes for my kids. All of his cousins, aunts, uncles, grandmas and grandpas left me FB messages or text messages, a few even went the extra mile and called to personally wish Kylee Happy Birthday over the phone. You guys rock! Bonus points to Keith and Cindy who actually sang a duet of "Happy Birthday" to Kylee. I really appreciate you helping make Kylee's birthday extra special.
Kylee told me a couple weeks ago that she wanted to celebrate at Chuck E. Cheese, so off to Chuck E. Cheese we went. (Birthday Mom Laura let's the kids call the shots waaaay more than Normal Day Mom Laura.) I actually really appreciate that about Kylee- that she has a strong opinion about things. Her eyes read like a book- one glance and you'll know exactly where you stand with her.
So off to Chuck E. Cheese we went. We had a great evening there, then home for some watermelon cake. It was a great day with my (not-so-little) girl.
Earlier in the week we went to the Olive Garden with my family, went to an I-Cubs game, went to the pool, and had friends over for cake. This weekend we're celebrating with Kent's family. I'm sure there will be more stories and pictures to post! All in all, a pretty fun celebration for the most fun four year old I know.
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