She’s always been on the go. From the day she was born, she was ready to roll. Before that actually, I went into labor the first time at 32 weeks.
She’s my go getter.
My go girl has strong opinions on everything. She got very angry with me when she saw this picture, “You took my color away!” Dear internets: Don’t tell her I posted this, okay?
But she sure loves her Uncle Timmy. And his motorcycle.
I’m always on the lookout for free and awesome things to do with my family, especially things that are appropriate for the little one. The Burien Wild Strawberry Festival was the perfect way to spend Fathers’ Day Weekend. A small town festival with all the typical carnival rides and games, and entrance was free.
The festival was in the downtown common area, with a view of Mt. Rainier,
and we could even watch the activity at SeaTac Airport from the top of the Ferris wheel.
There were plenty of activities for the kids. Some we had to pay for, like the rides,
but many more were free. A bouncy house, several different kids art stations and play stations, and the Firefighters let my little one sit in the driver’s seat of their ladder truck, and taught her all about dialing 9-1-1.
There were plenty of cultural events, including a Chinese dragon winding it’s way through the crowd,
and later found resting.
And when the sun got just too hot, we went underground to watch the breakdancing competition in the parking structure.
I love, love, love little festivals and fairs, and this is one of the better ones I’ve been to. We’ll be back next year.
How did you spend Fathers’ Day Weekend?
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Every once in a while, a picture shows me a peek at what she might look like as a teen. I’m not sure I’m ready to imagine her as a teen, that will come soon enough.
Whether they’re heels or Chucks, she just loves to wear Mama’s shoes.
That might stay the same when she’s a teen, too. Provided my shoes are cool enough.
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Motherhood can pack a walloping dose of guilt at times, especially when your 4-year-old’s birthday lands at a particularly inconvenient moment with regards to time, money, health, energy, or even a working phone. This sense of guilt can then be further intensified when she patiently and politely reminds you 2 months later that you promised her a birthday party with cake and presents and friends.
Ouch.
So I had to come up with something fast, and just Mommy and Daddy around the dinner table with a cupcake wasn’t going to cut it. There had to be a party. And there had to be kids.
So now what?
Then my cousin, Amanda, came up with the most brilliant idea ever: her daughter’s school was having a spring carnival – we could meet up there, and then have cake and presents after.
So Gem and I baked brownies for her cake, and then we bought a bunch of frosting and decorations, and we put the girls to work decorating her birthday cake. This was a job they took very seriously.
Doesn’t that just look delicious?
Yes, of course the grownups all politely made yummy faces as we each dutifully ate a piece. 🙂
And then there was the carnival.
There was a climbing wall: That’s my baby, waaaaaaaaay up there.
And pony rides!
A hug for the pony.
Face painting, temporary tattoos, and her bestest friend.
She got her big day, and she didn’t need to know this entire carnival was not just for her birthday. Let’s keep that between us, ok? 😉
Have you ever watched little kids make friends? It blows me away with it’s simplicity and straightforwardness. They just run up and start playing together. No introductions necessary. No concern over who lives in what kind of house, or wears designer labels, or whose mom drives what kind of car. Shame and embarrassment and comparison? All that comes later. Much too soon, sadly.
In the meantime, I’m learning from this kind of authenticity.
This is my daughter and her cousin, caught up in “I’m so happy to be here with you, I just wanna hold your hand.”
So precious.
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