Okay, I realize I probably shouldn't have left my blog on indefinite "pause" after my last post (the one regarding the bear in our yard). I got a few emails from concerned readers wondering if the bear had carried me off to the depths of the forest. Yikes. Nothing that dramatic, thankfully!
The past 7 months have been filled with life's little (and not so little) hiccups. You know the ones. Setbacks, worries, and other bumps in the road. It became apparent that documenting our days in this space wasn't nearly as important as trying to navigate the last half year while still cultivating an overriding sense of peace for myself and my family. And while the waters are not exactly smooth, I felt that if I waited for life to be all roses before picking up the blogging habit again, I would be waiting forever. Because, really, that's life isn't it? The good with the bad. So, here I am! It feels exciting to be back here, ready to resume putting life in picture/word form.
Putting life's challenges aside for the time being, there really were many positive moments to celebrate since I last checked in here. One of which was my daughter turning 5 years old. Five! That seems like such a big leap into full-fledged childhood. Leaving any trace of toddlerhood in the dust.
The lucky birthday girl had an unintended 3 separate parties, and thus, 3 different birthday cakes. That's what happens sometimes when you live in the mountains and your
summer birthday party gets cancelled due to snow. In late June, no less!! This cake helped cushion the blow of the first cancelled party:
A Ladyfinger Lemon White Chocolate Mousse! Oh yes. The day after her birthday, she asked me, "Do we have any of that deer cake left?" Deer cake?? After a few conversational volleys back and forth, I finally realized that she was thinking "moose" rather than "mousse." And moose led to the word deer. And there you have it. Ladyfinger Lemon White Chocolate Deer Cake.
I've been anxiously awaiting the day I could bestow a very special gift upon my daughter: a wooden barn made for me on
my 5th birthday, by my grandpa.
After he made it, he shipped it in pieces, all the way from New Jersey to my childhood home. He carefully labeled each piece and included a detailed diagram, all so my parents could re-assemble it easily in time for my birthday surprise. I love how the labeled pieces of masking tape are still attached to each piece (even each individual stall is numbered to its corresponding slot on the barn floor), these many years later. With my grandpa's, albeit indirect, guiding hand, I put the barn together in less than 10 minutes.
I added all of my childhood play horses as well. The look on her face was worth the years I waited to have a child to whom I could pass along this heirloom toy.
Speaking of heirlooms, I also gave her the rocking chair which belonged to my sister and me, oh so many years ago. It's the kind with the music box attached to the rocker arm, which plays as you rock. My sweet girl was thrilled, and happily rocked the day away:
It was a grand day all around. A perfect reminder of the pleasure that is being a five year old little girl!
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