After counting down the days (starting in MARCH!) with a calendar on our fridge, the day to celebrate Milayla's birthday came much slower than she had hoped (we celebrated a few days early so that we could have a full day). But, man oh man, she sure did love every single part of it. I think there is a lot to be said about someone who celebrates their birthday with love and grace - especially when it is a child. Milayla celebrates with love and grace. She is gracious for everything we do to celebrate her and she loves endlessly. (I think the grace and love of the children helping to celebrate is also incredible as well! And Milayla has some very kind-hearted and gracious siblings)
I love when I get to sit down with the kids and have them plan their birthday menu. I had sat down with Milayla one day after dance class before we went to meet the boys at Atticus' class. She got to pick breakfast and dinner (I plan the lunch as it is typically dependant on what the birthday outing is) and also their birthday dessert/cake. Waffles with strawberries, peanut butter and whip cream for breakfast (eggs on the side). Pasta with white beans, red sauce & shredded cheese with steamed baby carrots and celery sticks that have peanut butter on them. Brownies and ice cream for dessert. Love it.
The day kicked off with breakfast. Milayla got to decorate her birthday crown while we cooked everything up. We came up with a few of the things we love about Milayla and pasted them on the wall. We had balloons and banners all around as well. She was so excited. I loved the few minutes I got with her before breakfast when I was able to talk to her about being FOUR and what she was most looking forward to. She has been saying she is four since January so for her to really be four is a big deal. So much excitement.
After breakfast and cards we headed for the surprise outing. For those not familiar, we choose to do a surprise outing for birthdays as part of the present. It's been something different every year. It's a tradition that really works for us right now, though I am sure it will probably need some adjustments in the future. For right now, the kids really look forward to it and love trying to guess what the outing could be. The kids had zero idea what the outing was this time. There are so many choices in Montreal I kind of knew they wouldn't get it. They tried to guess based on the directions we were driving. After parking in Old Montreal near the river, they still had no idea.
We were headed for the Science Centre. To be honest, we had not heard the best things about the science centre yet after checking out the website I felt it was the right fit for Milayla's birthday outing (and I wanted to buy a year pass, too!). It was a great decision. We made it there just in time to catch an IMAX show about panda bears (the kids have asked not to go to an IMAX again - too big, too loud), and then to check out the exhibits. We could have stayed in the first exhibit all day and the kids would have been quite content. As it was we were only able to get a little bit of a second exhibit in before it was time for lunch. I loved getting to build a house with Milayla from foam bricks for most of the morning. The kids are anxious to go back to explore and so are we.
Then it was a picnic beside the river and a game of tag. Jason had to run back to the car to top up the parking meter and grab the lunches. I loved the look of the kids waiting at the table. I tried to tell them to look bored. It kind of worked. Milayla wore her crown most of the morning. It was brilliant. I love her creative expressions and curiousity.
Then it was home to presents, birthday pictures, and the surprise of a new bicycle. Atticus had been doing extra chores in the weeks leading up to Milayla's birthday to be able to buy her a present himself. And we got her some new books and I made her a dress. Those were the only presents that she opened before I did her birthday photos and she was so happy and grateful (and thought that was all for presents). So when we came back in after taking photos and her new bicycle was sitting in the middle of the playroom she was over the moon excited.
The first go on the bike proved more challenging than Milayla thought it would be (the bike is quite a bit heavier than the laufrad) but she is sure determined. After a bit of practice it was dinner and brownies.
Before going to bed we all piled into our bed and looked at pictures of Milayla as a baby and talked about some fun memories. This is probably a favorite part for the kids of every birthday. They love hearing stories about when they were babies and really love looking at pictures. It is sure fun to see how much they have grown.
We all loved getting to celebrate Milayla and her birth into our eternal family. As Milayla would put it when she wraps her arms around us as we tuck her in at night, "we're stuck forever and ever". And I wouldn't have it any other way.
Love you, Milayla. Happy 4th Birthday!!
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