The Year We Didn't Party

has been your best birthday, in my opinion. It was a weekend affair, with your actual day on a Monday. That Saturday, I took the boys erranding where they chose gifts for you. Manny chose earrings with pale pink hearts. He did not break stride and saw them, and that was it. Benicio took a lot longer. The finalists were a Hello Kitty stationery set and a bear holding a bottle of perfume. Deliberating, he said, "The writing stuff will run out but when the perfume runs out she'll still have the bear that smells good." He chose the bear.

Then Sunday, while at Mass, they sang to you in Children's Liturgy. And my favorite part was watching you bring the food baskets up with the other children. You were radiant, a huge but shy smile, your static-charged pony tail bounced as you walked. Then we came home for hummus and pretzels and leftover pumpkin soup. Then, as per your request, we all went to Family Swim at the Y. I had so much fun-- all of us buoyed and bobbing in the warm water. The boys were mischievous with the noodles, you squirmed and flitted like a mermaid and Dad and I passed Calliope back and forth while she chased the spiky ball. Afterward, the warm showers were soul-affirming and we all got into dinner clothes. Your choice for dinner, Earth Bread for pizza. You kids silently devoured two Big Joe' (plain cheese) and also dug the white bean dip (who knew?). The waiter and waitress came and brought you a huge piece of chocolate bread pudding with a candle in it and we all sang to you. It was wonderful. At the end of the evening, we all came home smelling like your perfume bear.

Then Monday,Dad brought you a cute omelette in bed. You chose to wear a side-ponytail in your hair and wore your party shoes to school. Then Calliope and I co-oped at your school. I read Poinsettia by Felicia Bond (way before the "If You Give" series and way better). We served cut strawberries and pink yogurt in retro dixie cups with clear spoons that looked like Cinderella's slipper. Then we had lunch at the Cheese Shop in Narberth where you and Calliope shared a hot bowl of gumbo and turkey slices on the side. You chose a beautiful ballerina puppet and paint- your-own nesting dolls. You didn't want to buy the nesting dolls til you checked to see the tiniest one.

We had a relaxed afternoon at home. Calliope napping on the couch, you pinching the pot pie dough sealed. We had a quiet dinner after Dad and the boys made their way back home. I know I'm just listing details here but what I want to share is how lovely and low-pressure the day was. It was not ruled by your sense of entitlement or my ambition to pull off an event. There was nothing to prove to anyone, just a basic Monday infused with appreciation and love of our girl.