celebrating stella's fourth

birthday's are funny business, let me just start by saying that.  like shaking a jar of river water, they tend to stir up so much sediment in my mama heart, eventually settling into a place that is very much bittersweet.  thoughts of both the past and future flooded my memory bank on birthday morning...like the first time we saw her, touched her, her first time using a spoon, when she used to do that little dance where she shook her booty, when she learned to climb out of her crib, when she started ballet.  and oh, how the years have danced on into the present and our stella bear is one year older.  a bright spot in our days, she is, and with each passing one i find myself echoing the dear grandmas we bump into at the market from time to time in that mmm yes, it goes so fast. 

for stella's fourth birthday celebration we decided to keep it pretty low key, inviting only close family to gather and sing and do birthday things at our home.  i remember back to my birthdays as a little girl when all of my grandparents would be there in the room conversing about, uncles and aunts rushing past, cousins playing outside, their only thought about present opening and what sweet treat would be served alongside ice cream.  for me it was always a "worlds colliding" moment, and a very special one at that.  it is not very often that everyone on both sides of the family is able to sit shoulder to should in our living room.  i think that togetherness is what makes a celebration truly memorable.  as we start our family's birthday traditions, it's important to us that we cultivate a sense of connectedness and joy for our kids as we have here those near and dear to our hearts, to not only shower them with love but to also eat really good cake (of course).  speaking of cake, this french chocolate silk was nothing short of magic.  and to prove that, i have been the leftovers for breakfast every day since.

the day we celebrated stella was relaxing and this kansas city weather couldn't have been more pleasant.  bbq filled our bellies and stell got some pretty neat gifts.  this year, a critter tree house with new mice and squirrel toys, many new books, tickets to frozen on ice, and a bike!  that evening after the party guest made their way home, i waddled behind andrew and stella as they went on their first ride in the neighborhood.  stell worked hard to petal and not get caught up on playing with the ever-exciting bell and streamers, with her daddy following closely behind.  i watched as he patiently coached her, giving little nudges here and there to get her moving up the slanted sidewalk and around fallen branches.  it felt like a movie reel was unfolding before my eyes, for this was a moment we had talked about since dating in high school.  a dream of ours, to grow a little family and give them a memorable childhood.  much like seeing our baby take her first step, or when she called us name, seeing stella on a bike with every intention of doing it herself was so special.  this evening ride capped off the day so beautifully, and with a lump in my throat, i could not help but look up to the flowering, emerald leaves making a bridge over my head and breathe out, "thank you, god."