As I write this, you are already 5.2 but the blog has suffered what with the addition of a new child. And we have been applying to Kindergarten for you so, rather than writing blog notes and updates, I have been writing application essays. Also, I have been working this fall and therefore not been so good about keeping up here. Finally, as you get older, it is harder to write these notes too because every day is packed with incredible things that you say that blow my mind in the moment and then that I cannot remember when I think to write in here. But I definitely wanted to write about your birthday party this summer and to tell you a little bit about the amazing, fun, smart, interesting five year old girl you have become.
We were in East Hampton for your birthday, nearing the end of what was the GREATEST SUMMER EVER! I continued to ask you if you wanted to have a party with your friends but you were adamant that you did not and that you only wanted a family party. You are a very social little girl with lots of friends and we think you should have the kind of party you want so we were fine to continue this tradition. However, we did want to do something special, something that you might remember. And so Daddy and I rented a giant pink princess jumpy castle at our house. We had the greatest day jumping and playing in it and then we had a great dinner and birthday cake. We also got a butterfly pinata which you really wanted, filled it with candy and hung it on a tree outside where you and Clara had a great time wacking it. Fortunately, little bits of candy dropped out a you hit it so it was unclear who actually broke it. Eventually, I think it was Dad who really split it open.
You got a lot of great presents including a very cool, pink acoustic guitar.
Overall, the month in East Hampton was crazy fun. You got to be a bit of a stronger swimmer although you still don't want to put your face in the water. I was very proud to have taught you to blow bubbles, though, and you were very proud to be able to do that. You practiced quite a bit with "stop signs" (me or Dad or another grown-up in your path who would hold you for a rest) and eventually could swim the long way across the pool. We played a lot of fun games with kickboards. We would also have a pretend restaurant where you were the Italian chef (on the steps of the pool) and I was the waitress who had to swim around and bring everyone their food. We played lots and lots of a card game called Sleeping Queens and a little bit of Sorry and Trouble. And you did tons of pretend with Clara and with Grandma and Grandpa. You also were a great big sister to Vivian and often included her in your games. She got a wooden push stroller and you did love to push her in it even though it was really for her to practice walking. We had a fantastic time at the beach, a few great playdates with Jane and long, lazy days relaxing and playing at our house. Daddy came on the weekends and it was always really fun to go pick him up at the train. When we was with us, he took you for long bike rides. You guys would go to a cemetery near our house and ride around and look at the tombstones. There was one of a six week old and you put some of the fringes from your bike handles on the tombstone. As always, Daddy came up with his great obstacle courses and it was such fun to watch you and Clara running around the lawn. You are getting faster and faster and we are still amazed by what an incredible athlete you are.
There was one morning at breakfast where Grandpa looked at you and said, "Stella, you have a nine year old brain trapped in a five year old body." Grandma asked if you knew what that meant and you said, "I am only five years old" and I asked you why you had a nine year old brain and you said, "Because I'm so smart." All the grown-ups at the table looked at each other with amazement that you totally understood what grandpa was saying. But that's how you are. You just get things.
You ended up spending most nights this summer on a mattress on the floor of Grandma and Grandpa's room. At first you were sleeping in a room with Clara but she is such a light sleeper that that didn't work out. I think you were a little disappointed at first but then so happy to get to sleep with your grandparents. And they were really happy to get to wake up with you and talk to you in the morning. Sometimes when I would get up with Vivian, I would hear you whispering with them in the bedroom. I love that you have such a nice, warm relationship with my parents.
Right up until the day before your birthday, I kept asking you how old you were and you would say "four and three quarters". I could not bear the thought that I would never hear that again. It is such a mixture of joy and sadness to be a parent and to watch your kid grow up. I couldn't be happier or prouder of the girl you are or more excited to get to know the grown-up you someday. But I miss terribly the little one who you no longer are. I'm happy though that you still love to cuddle and to be held and I will always hold you for as long as you will let me.
I love you so much. I hope you had a happy happy fifth birthday.
Love,
Mama
