I had been out of town since Friday morning in Portland for a pro-life thing. Jack picked me up at the airport with Jane and Calvin in tow. after going home with them to make lunch take care of a few things I went to pick up Clara from school.
When I got there she didn't see me at first, and I stood quietly near the door and watched her play with other kids. It was very reassuring to see how they all got along and how she was part of the group. When she did see me she was excited and announced "Mom, you're back!" She ran up and gave me a big hug and she pointed me out to some of her classmates and said "This is my mom! She's so cool."
As we left the classroom I realized I needed to fill her sippy cup. She showed me where the outside water fountain was and how to use it. It has a little stool for the kids to stand on so they can reach. Then we got in the car and rolled the windows down to enjoy the really nice day outside. As we drove to Safeway I asked her questions about her day and then about her birthday. I asked her what kind of cake she would like; she told me brown. She meant chocolate. She also explained that she would like three presents and that she would want them to be wrapped in wrapping paper that was brown like her shoes and red like her pants and pink like her shirt. I said we'll see.
When we got to Safeway she wanted to carry the reusable shopping bag herself. We went inside and looked at balloons. Originally she picked out two: one for her and one for Jane. But then upon further thought she also picked out one for me and one for Jack, and all of them were colors that matched the clothes we were wearing today. She carried the balloons in her shopping bag over her shoulder and followed me around talking to me about her plans while I looked for gluten-free cake mix. She talked to several passers by who wished her happy birthday. She also very carefully put the balloons on the conveyor belt at check out and then talked to the cashier about the balloons and about our plans. Everyone seemed to think she was adorable, and they're right.
Then we walked to the Dollar Tree, which is adjacent to Safeway, and we picked out a bunch of Paw Patrol stickers for her to take to school tomorrow. We also grabbed a little soccer ball she found on the floor of the aisle and was excited about. She chose a number 5 candle for her cake. It was fun letting her help me get all of the supplies. On the way home she wanted me to keep all of the windows up in the car because she was afraid the balloons would float away (though they were not helium).
Once we got home I made some gluten-free pizza and I added bacon and extra cheese. The kids watched Lady and the Tramp, Jack took care of Calvin, and I started making the cake. While the cake was baking and the kids were occupied I quickly wrapped a few of the presents we've received via mail for Clara. I didn't wrap all of them because I think she will like to have some more to open on the day we actually celebrate when we go to Fairy Tale Town. Jane wasn't as into the movie as Clara was, and kept coming to watch me doing different prep. She was especially interested in watching me wrap the gifts.
When the cake was cooling I started blowing up some regular balloons. Clara picked out one of each color and the girls watched in delighted fascination as I blew each one up. Once they had about six or seven they started trying to make them all fit in the laundry basket or on the red office chair and laughing delightedly as balloons would pop up and float around the room. They had a great time. They are so easy to entertain at this age.
They also helped me with the cakes. I had made two in an attempt to do a double layer but I couldn't get them out of the pan without messing them up, so I decided to just have two small cakes. Clara helped me spread the frosting on each and they both helped me put rainbow sprinkles on each, which means the cakes were "caked" with sprinkles. But it was worth it to watch the girls get excited about decorating.
For most of this prep Jack dozed on the couch with Calvin, which frankly was very helpful because then Calvin wasn't constantly interrupting. They looked so peaceful too.
But by now Calvin was finally waking up so we cleared off the table and put the presents, balloons, and cake on it. We had everyone sit around and we sang Clara "Happy Birhtday."
They enjoyed some cake and then it was time for presents. Clara wanted to hand one present to each of her siblings, which was so sweet. I explained all the presents are for her because it's her birthday. Jane handled it well. Clara was most excited about the snake magnifying glass and she and Jane laughed a lot looking at each other through it for a while.
After all of that I decided to take a shower. Not long after I started, Clara peeked her head in to see what's going on. She and Jane both wanted to join me, so Clara hurriedly took her clothes off, Jack helped Jane with hers, and they both got in the shower with me. I like to take very hot showers and neither of them wanted to be directly in the water but they each had a cup and they stood near me and tried to capture the water running off my elbows or shoulders or hair. They did this the entire time and seemed to really enjoy it. They reminded me of little ducklings following their mother around.
When we were done they came out to the table and ate more cake. At one point Jane was completely naked with chocolate all over her face, and she seemed very happy about both of those facts. Clara was talking to me about how the food goes in her mouth and down into her stomach, so I pulled up a YouTube video for kids about the digestive system and she and Jane watched it at least three times. Before bed Jack and I heard Clara explaining to one of the balloons how her food turns into poop.
Anyway we haven't even done her big celebration yet but she seemed to have a wonderful time. I can't believe that she's 5 years old or that I have been a mother before at least that long. Something about age 5 makes it seem like her younger childood is really over now as she moves into, I don't know--"middle" childhood." But I've enjoyed the baby/toddler phase so much. I'm both nostalgic and sentimental about her very small years already done but also looking forward to continuing to watch her grow. Parenthood is so strange and wonderful.
