A Pink and Groovy Birthday Girl

This child is kissed one hundred times a day and loved so much. We admire the depth of her compassion, strength of her determination, and serenity of her confidence. She is our baby, treasured completely. She wakes up with a smile and starts our mornings with the gift of happiness. Happy birthday to our darling Maya! May you always step into each day with continued joy, brightness, and love.

Maya asked for pink cupcakes with pink frosting, so we began her birthday morning with baking (from scratch!). She told Aunt Katie that the cake flavor was: "banilla." After consulting with two aunties, we chose a whipped cream frosting which also tasted wonderful with fresh strawberries, another one of Maya's favorite foods.

Maya is at a lovely age where she was excited by her birthday as a special occasion and not focusing (much) on a presents. Popo sent her the pink butterfly dress last year, and now our girly girl has grown into it, fully relishing the big skirt and pretty embellishments. (She has asked to wear it every week after her birthday too.) Maya was happy all during her birthday, twirling about and delighted by a day celebrating her.

Peter later told me that Nathan was very concerned about making a special present for Maya. Taking a cue from one of the kids' books, Peter advised Nathan to think of his sister from his heart. When I read Nathan's card, my heart melted, especially at the self-portraits on the lower left; they're holding hands. (The red mark on the larger child's head represents Maya and her scar.) For his gift he drew and colored a paper doll because Maya likes dolls. "Is this your favorite present?" Nathan asked Maya. "Uh huh," confirmed the birthday girl. Each of their birthdays is a gift to us too.

Ponies and Groovy Girls were at the top of Maya's wishlist.

Birthdays can be celebrated again and again, so special they are, and Maya also had a little party at school. "I'm three!" she announced. Whenever someone wished her a "happy birthday," Maya responded with: "Happy Birthday!" A renewal, a continuum of joy.