Her last weekend as a four-year old was hectic. She has been taking figure skating lessons for over a year now and participated in her first-ever ice shows - three to be exact. The weekend was a whirlwind of costuming, make-up, hair, and breathless anticipation of the show, and RP LOVED it. She was upset when it was over on Friday, stating that she wanted to go back and do it again - right now! Luckily, she had two more opportunities on Saturday, which followed her ballet class in the morning, so needless to say she was one sleepy kiddo by Saturday night.
RP proclaimed Sunday to be "the best day EVER!" We woke up and headed over to Dunkin' Donuts for breakfast, followed by running a few last-minute errands. Once we got home we baked the brownies RP wanted to bring to her pre-school class for her birthday, and then I received the honor of frosting them and adding the candy sprinkles (because really, brownies just DON'T have enough sugar in them unless you funfetti-up the frosting - or so I've been told!). We had the first really nice day of spring, so RP went outside to play and I soon followed, only to find myself in a whirlwind soccer game, followed by a lame attempt to fly a miniature kite (damn you Mary Poppins!!!), followed by a brief lesson in the fine-art of Frisbee tossing, and culminating in a bug hunt, complete with a march through the back yard making up a hunt theme song as we went. I hate bugs but found myself scooping up spiders, lady bugs, and anything else that stood still for 0.009 seconds and RP and I took turns looking at them through the bug catcher the Easter Bunny was kind enough to bring (silly rabbit!). Dinner came and went, and RP was STILL trying to perfect her hunt theme song, which took on a rock-style flair complete with electric guitar playing that rivaled mega rock stars of the 80's, and I laughed until my stomach actually hurt. When she finally went to bed, RP declared the day the BEST EVER, before rolling over and falling asleep before I even turned off her light.
The birthday girl was a bundle of excitement today, and she stated the day with a few presents and a donut with a "5" candle in it. I was impressed that I remembered to bring her brownies when we left for pre-school, and while she was in school I ran a ton of errands to get ready for her parties, which are being held on Saturday. After I picked her up from school we went to Nana and Papa's so we could go out to dinner, and RP was thrilled when the restaurant staff brought her ice cream AND sang "Happy Birthday" to her (side note: I really need to review how that whole process works, as she joins in singing the song every time she hears it, even when she is the one being sung to!). Dinner was followed by an "awesome" Batman cake from Nana and Papa and lots of cool presents, including a soccer set, Gotham City's jail, Barbie Lego's, and a brand new set of (Power) wheels!
Tonight while I was putting her to bed, RP declared today "the best day EVER!" I reminded her that she said that yesterday, and she simply smiled at me and said, "Yes, Mommy - yesterday was the best day ever as a four-year old. TODAY was the best day ever as a FIVE-year old." While this made me chuckle, what happened next brought tears to my eyes. She folded her hands and announced that she had a special prayer to make tonight instead of her usual. She closed her eyes and thanked god for her birthday, her presents, her family, her presents, her cake, her presents, and her home. Then she proceeded to say, "... and thank you for my family who I love very much and who loves me. You gave me such a special family God and I love them all, and I love you for giving them to me. I love my home, my family, and you for everything you give me, so thank you God very much."
With tears in my eyes I kissed the top of her head, and my heart whispered the same prayer she just said aloud. Thank you God for everything - for I am truly blessed.
Happy birthday my little Russian Princess - Happy Birthday....
