Little’s sixth birthday was a great rite of passage for me. I was forced to smash a couple of my idols and our future will be better for it. Birthdays are a big deal for me and I want them to be for my kids as well. Still, there is “big deal” and there is “stinkin’ ridiculous idolatry”. I had crossed the line in my heart.

I was out of town on Little’s birthday. She survived. She felt special. It was fun to sing to her over the phone. She did greet me that night with, “You need to finish my cake and the icing will say my name. And there will be balloons.” Big deal concept accomplished. We put the kiddos to bed and I headed out to the store.

We went to IHOP for lunch after church. We have pancakes every Sunday for lunch but I thought going out would make it a bit more special. It did.

These gals sang “Happy Birthday” to our Little in what they called “American Idol Style”. Not the winner’s style, mind you. More like those losers who try out hoping to get 15 min. of shameful fame. Yep, they were terrible. And they were fine with it.

Later that day, after “short naps”, we celebrated with cake and gifts. Another idol slain. I bought a cake. A pink one. Just like she asked for. It didn’t have a six on it so I cut one on the Cricut and glued it to an unused lollipop stick.

She loved it and cared not that her mother hadn’t made it from scratch.

Every candle out on the first blow and all by herself. A big accomplishment for this little gal who can’t yet blow bubbles!

There was a book, a new Leap Pad book, a scrapbook of her very own, and a new computer game. This sucker hooks into our Dell and has games and a pad to practice her letters. She writes on it with the pen and the letters show up on the monitor screen. Good times.

Honey is forever our I.T. hero – whether it be Windows or Fisher Price!

Final idol that was crushed with pain to no one but myself. . . no treats at school. Lily was no worse for the wear and it was probably a great step so that she doesn’t grow up expecting something every year. My pride was hurt (I can’t do it all) and my need for approval.

I guess I can rejoice in the fact that for her sixth birthday, Little’s mommy got to repent of sin and be sanctified a bit more. THAT’s a gift that keeps giving!

Happy Birthday, Little. Mommy loves you so much.

My sister has started cooking more often and is really liking it. Today we were on the phone and she is telling about her latest Googled recipe success and the leftover spice mixture that she didn’t want to waste. I suggested she make a coffee cake and add the spices. Yum.

Her response?
“Am I going to need a bundt pan for that?”

I don’t know what I think that is SO FUNNY. I think that is SO FUNNY.
Aahhh Meeeee.

My children affectionately refer to my nieces as “the cousins”. My nephew isn’t included in “the cousins” – he is Coleman. It’s weird and hilarious and SO my kids. Anyway, “the cousins” left a gift for Little’s birthday when they headed out for their home on the other side of the planet. I remembered to pull it out and it was the first thing Little opened.

It was fun to watch her face – genuine intrigue. We are all, as a family, looking forward to watching The Wind in the Willows since none of us have ever seen it . . . or read the book. (deep sigh)

“Thank You” to “the cousins”, Aunt Brooke,