4th birthday

Our little Butterfly is four years old! Time is flying and I love watching her grow and discover and experience life. milestones post to come.

We celebrated her birthday with a party a few days before and had a blast. That night she declared that "now I'm four and almost five." (ironically, she still had three days to go).

the next night, we arranged for her to go on a special date with her Grammy and Papa to see Beauty and the Beast as the Broadway show came touring through our area. She looked so pretty in her fancy dress and she told me about the beautiful house (theatre) that they went to. She told me a few details about the show but the true evidence of how much she loved it is the fact that she made her little sister help her act out the story all day long for the next several days. (Meanwhile, we spent a great evening visiting Gram and the aunties, what amazing ladies. lil Butterfly was sad when she found out we went to their house without her.)

On her actual birthday, she got to have some special fun again. Her preschool was having a special visitors day and she was thrilled to take her Grandma. She showed off the different activities they do and worked on some art projects together. We also we went to our favorite restaurant for a celebration dinner that evening.

But unfortunately, the birthday present we ordered didn't arrive in time for her birthday. So it was a few more days before we surprised her with a brand new, bright pink bicycle. Daddy had it all put together and waiting in the garage. I missed the great event (baby sister needed me) but Daddy took pictures of her excitement, the huge eyes and giant grin. She climbed on and declared "I love my bike!"

And then for one last special moment, we celebrated at her preschool. I got to go to school with her and do a special spotlight. She sat next to me and held up each item I brought such as the framed portraits of her taken every six months since she was born, some pages from her scrapbook (to show her as a baby and her tiny footprints), her special tiger (used during labor and then given to her at the hospital), her Belle barbie doll (because she's such a princess), her favorite book (Beauty and the Beast), her favorite game (Candyland) and her favorite activity (coloring). I read the story to the class as she held up the pictures and then she got to be the special leader for the rest of the day, providing and passing out the snack, helping the teacher with art supplies, etc. (the kids take turns being the special leader but always get to do it for a special birthday day)

And the lastly, she got one last present from Gram and the Aunties who hadn't been able to come to her party. They gave her a beautiful porcelain doll slightly auburn curls, bright blue eyes and a sweet, happy smile, just like her.

What a wonderful birthday!