This past year our sweet little Birdie girl turned FOUR!! I can hardly believe it. It seems like only yesterday that she was a chubby little babe snoozing on my chest but here we are... A year away from kindergarten and a year away from that tether being stretched a bit longer beyond my reach. 

We celebrated Birdie exactly how she wanted - a "bird cake" she picked out herself, a bouquet of flowers she had been asking me for all year, a "ballerina" dress and her bestest friends. It was shockingly low-key, sweet and perfect. And Birdie was the ever gracious hostess - including all her friends in play, saying thank you and not having a single meltdown (I've lived long enough to know that toddler birthdays and meltdowns go hand in hand)! By the end she was definitely a little overwhelmed by all the gifts and attention but it wasn't anything a relaxing lavender bath and early bedtime couldn't fix. 

As I sat back and watched her enjoying this day meant especially for her I felt so much gratitude. Gratitude for this dream family of mine, gratitude for the fairy princess of a daughter, gratitude for another year gone by, gratitude for our home and the friends and family that have so selflessly and graciously supported and loved us through it all. It was a wonderful way to usher in the holiday season and start slowing down and really appreciating all that we have been given.