Monday, March 09, 2015

Mouse's Corner: Birthday Wishes

I overloaded everyone on Facebook with photos of Mouse's weekend birthday celebration, but will keep it to a minimum here.  It all began Friday with a party for her friends.  Like in years past, Mouse was able to have her party at school so that all her friends could be there. We rented a jumper, brought pizza and cupcakes and goody bags, played a game and did an arts and crafts project (making Lalaloopsy puppets). The children had a fun time, and Mouse enjoyed playing hostess. All on her own, she brought some of her candy from home to share with her friends, giving them out as prizes after everyone participated in the ring toss game. So much for the bubbles I had brought as prizes (although they got those too--just in their goody bags).

In preparation for Saturday's family party, Mouse and her dad made her birthday cake--a strawberry cake with white frosting and pink trim. She added buttons to the top to give it the final Lalaloopsy touch. It turned out very well and there were many oohs and ahs heard when the cake was finally revealed.  Before cake, however, came our usual Saturday activities. All the grandparents and one of her uncles joined Anjin and I on the sidelines for Mouse's soccer class, followed by play time at the park. When we got home, the girls (the two grandmas, Mouse and I) got out the craft supplies and made birthday decorations for the tree. We had so much fun! We spent some time outside trying out her new scooter, enjoying the breeze and warm weather. It made for a pleasant day.


  
On Sunday, we visited Farrell's Ice Cream Parlor and Restaurant for lunch. The wait staff are always entertaining, singing and joking with the customers. We stopped by Barnes and Noble on the way home, a nice way to end the celebration.


Mouse had the full attention of six adults the entire weekend, and she made sure to take full advantage of it.  Today is her actual birthday, and it was hard to go into work instead of being able to spend the day with her. She and her dad made a birthday cake just for her friends for today. Mouse is so proud to be sharing something she made with her friends. We will probably do something special tonight too--just a little something--to acknowledge the day with the family still in town. I still cannot believe my little girl is four now!


Four years old! She had a dentist appointment Thursday morning, at which time I was told they had time to see me as well (my appointment was scheduled for the following week). I hesitated, pointing out I had Mouse with me. The staff assured me that wouldn't be a problem. She could either sit with me and color or she could stay with the pediatric dental staff and watch cartoons. Mouse chose to stay with me. She colored a pony picture to give to her dentist and played quietly next to me while I was examined. She talked with my dentist and hygienist, impressing them with her good manners, patience, and thoughtfulness. With my mouth wide open, I couldn't say much or even smile--but you can bet I was feeling like the proud mama inside. 

I look at my daughter and I see a girl who is blossoming in front of me. Her curiosity knows no bounds. She loves to learn, takes everything in, observing and asking questions. She is a very hands on learner, as I imagine children her age often are. She is imaginative and thoughtful, dreamy and yet also very logical. She enjoys playing dress up and being a princess just as much as she loves building towers and playing with her trains. She likes to help out in the kitchen.  

She can be very silly one minute and very serious the next. Mouse can be shy around people she does not know, and yet she also isn't afraid to introduce herself to a new child at the park and ask them to play with her. Mouse is extremely affectionate, offering kisses and hugs, and freely will declare you her best friend and tell you she loves you if she deems you worthy. She likes to show off and perform for anyone willing to watch. Mouse is sweet and kind. She likes to share and believes in fairness. 

Mouse has a temper and will definitely let you know when she is upset or wants her way, but she is also easily comforted. Her anger rarely lasts long.  She is still mostly a mama's girl, but she does love her dad and enjoys their time together. Mouse continues to be a picky eater and can be very stubborn about not wanting to go to bed at bedtime.  

If you ask her what her favorite color is, she will tell you "every color of the rainbow!" Her favorite food is pasta (plain, hold the sauce). She's still quite attached to her thumb, but does not really have a favorite toy. She can watch the Lalaloopsy cartoons forever, but she's also quite fond of Handy Manny and Doc McStuffins. And we can't forget the Octonauts and Jake and the Neverland Pirates. Don't ask her if she wants to watch a movie. She doesn't. She does not have a favorite book, although she likes to be read to. Mouse still likes to make up her own songs and can often be heard singing. She likes to sing with me, but will tell her dad she doesn't want him to sing along with her if he tries.

I do worry. I worry that she is too kind. Too sweet. I worry that she is too affectionate towards people outside the family. I worry that she is too innocent, that I protect her too much. And yet all of these are things I love about her too.  Anjin and I are not the perfect parents. Sometimes we are harder on her than perhaps we should be and other times we go too easy on her. We include her in just about everything and maybe expect more from her than what her four years deserve. Sometimes we don't expect enough. What I do know, and what I've said a hundred times before, is that Mouse is such a joy to be around. Her smile melts my heart and her hugs make any bad day seem like a good one. She makes me want to be a better person.

Happy Birthday, my little Mouse.  



© 2015, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

39 comments:

  1. Such cute photos! I love both of her cakes.

    As someone uncertain of whether she'll ever have children herself, I love hearing about other people's experiences with parenting. It sounds like you and Anjin are doing a fantastic job, especially since you acknowledge that things aren't always perfect or sometimes you make mistakes. As a sensitive gal, I sometimes wish my parents had instilled something of a thicker skin in me, but then again, there were so many other things going on in my childhood that perhaps Mouse will develop it on her own, with enough nurturing and care.

    So excited to continue to watch her grow. :)

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    1. Shaina - Thank you. She was very proud of both cakes. :-)

      And thank you for your kind words. Most days it seems like we are parenting by the seat of our pants, but we're trying to do the best we can. I sometimes have to remind myself when I start worrying that my daughter may be too sweet or trusting that I only have to look in the mirror. We aren't the same people obviously and our experiences are and will be widely different, but she is so much like I am. Like I was. If I could make it out okay, I think she can too. :-)

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  2. Happy Birthday to Mouse! That last picture is just precious!

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  3. Happy Birthday to Mouse! The celebrations sounds really special. I agree with what Shaina has written in her comment, about being uncertain re children and about having a thin skin. You sound like you are making her life great. :)

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    1. Lindsay - Thank you! My husband laughs at how long her birthday is drawn out, but I tell him birthdays should be month long celebrations. :-)

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  4. You are wonderful parents to a precious little girl. Happy birthday, Mouse!

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  5. Oh, Wendy, I'm so glad I came back to blogging and reading blogs. I love hearing about your little Mouse. Such a sweet child. I can tell by looking at her. And you need to print out and keep this blog post. You'll want to read it again in years to come. I promise that. Sometimes parenting is tough and hard and frustrating and other times, well, it's just the best thing ever. Even when they are grown up. Hugs to all of you. You are doing a good job and thank you for sharing with us. Happy Birthday, Mouse!!

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    1. Kay - She really is a sweet girl. I feel so lucky she's mine. :-) Thank you!

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  6. Parenting is the toughest and the best job in the world. Only exceeded by grandparenting!. It sounds to me like you are doing an awesome job. I agree with Kay to print the post for safekeeping and to be able to read again. Happy Birthday Mouse! What a beautiful, happy young lady!

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    1. Judy - My mom and mother-in-law would agree about grandparenting. :-) And thank you. We do the best we can as parents, don't we? I definitely plan to print the post. :-)

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  7. Can't believe she is four already. Serena's daughter also turned four. Everyone is growing up! Happy Birthday to her!

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    1. Ti - I can't believe it either. The time has just flown by. I saw the photos of Wiggles Serena posted. :-) There are a lot of birthdays taking place right now. Thank you for the birthday wishes!

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  8. What a sweet post! I know just how you feel when you talk about the things you worry about. I wish we could have a bubble to protect them from the world and maybe a pause button because this is such a fantastic age. Mouse sounds like a very special, fun and smart little girl! Happy birthday Mouse!

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    1. Katherine - I do love this age and wish there was a pause button. Or even a slow down button to prolong this time in her life. I think she's pretty special and terrific, but I'm her mom, so it's a given I think that. ;-) Thank you for your kind words!

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  9. Oh Wendy, I love reading this post so much! So sweet and so precious! I know I've said this before, but I want to say it again - I always love hearing updates from you on little Mouse.

    Happy, Happy Birthday, Mouse! I'm sure you've a wonderful time with your family and friends! :)

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    1. Melody - Ah, thanks, Melody! That is so nice of you to say. She's had such a wonderful birthday. I couldn't give her her tea party this year with dragons swooping down to join in, but maybe next year if she's still interested. LOL

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  10. What a lovely birthday post Wendy. She seems so very sweet. Hope Mouse has a happy year.

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    1. Diane - Thank you! When Mouse is older, she's probably going to hate being called sweet as much as I do. LOL

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  11. Happy birthday, Mouse! There's nothing left of toddler in her - she is well and truly a little girl now. But just as cute as ever!

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    1. Lisa - Yes, she's definitely a little girl now. Although she'd say she's a big girl. :-) And she makes sure I know it. Thank you for the birthday wishes.

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  12. I think your doing pretty awesome, thats one happy wee girl. Happy birthday Mouse.

    Lainy http://www.alwaysreading.net

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    1. Lainy - Thank you, Lainy. She does seem happy most of the time. :-)

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  13. Oh I love the idea of a birthday tree. Mouse really is one very lucky little girl. Sending her birthday wishes even if they are belated.

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    1. Tracy - It was an obvious place to put her birthday presents too. :-) I am not sure how much longer the tree will stay up. My mom is pushing for Easter, but I'm ready for it to come down.

      Thank you for the birthday wishes!

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  14. Such a sweet and precious girl-- her photos and your description of her personality. She's lucky to have wonderful parents and you are lucky to have Mouse for your daughter. Happy birthday to her and thanks for sharing all this!

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    1. Rita - Thank you! That's so nice of you to say. :-) We really are lucky to have her in our lives. <3

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  15. I love that your tree is part of everything! What a fun memory!

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    1. Kelly - It's the longest we've ever kept our tree up. :-) Mouse had wanted a Christmas birthday party at first and so we decided to at least keep it up until her birthday.

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  16. It looks like she had a wonderful birthday!

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    1. Irene - She had a wonderful time. Her birthday cake yesterday was a big hit at school too. :-)

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  17. Awww, happy belated birthday to Mouse! It sounds like a lovely birthday weekend. Everyone says it, but it's so true: It's hard to believe how fast kids grow up! It's sounds like you and Anjin are doing a wonderful job. No parents are perfect, but I suspect that the ones who are the closest to perfection are the ones who are thoughtful enough to realize they make mistakes sometimes.

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    1. A.M.B. - Thank you! She had a good time. She told her dad this weekend that she wants to celebrate her birthday all month. He just looked at me and shook his head, blaming me. :-)

      Thank you for your kind words. I know we can do a lot better parenting wise, but we must be doing something right as happy and (mostly) well behaved she is.

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  18. Happy Birthday Mouse!!!! I hope that she had a wonderful day (it sure sounds like she did!)!!!! My daughter would have loved that cake too :) It is bittersweet to watch how fast they grow but so rewarding as well!

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    1. Samantha - Thank you! We worked on Mouse's thank you cards yesterday.

      The cake turned out really well. Everyone loved it.

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  19. Such a beautiful post! Happy belated birthday to Mouse! I love that cake and the buttons were definitely a very beautiful touch. I am sure that you and Anjin are doing a great job as parents - she sounds like such a sweet, charming, adorable little girl!

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    1. Athira - Thank you! We made sure not to put actual buttons on the cake she took to school with her, but it was fun to put on the family cake. She liked sucking the frosting off each one. :-)

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  20. Such a great post! She is a dream :) Thank you for the postcard. His face when I told him I had a postcard was the best! Someday we'll have to get these two crazy 4 year olds together :)

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