It has been 2 weeks since the birthday and I think my new rule is that if I’m 2 weeks out. That’s too long for an update. It seems like a year ago that everyone was here.

When last we left, Mira was about to get up from her nap. We had invited some 20+ kids that Mira knew for a 3:30PM birthday party. It really fits nicely with nap times and we were amazed that almost everyone made it. We never got an official count, but we are guessing between 20 and 22 kids were here.

Luckily we had activities in several different rooms for the kids. We had a guy, Chuck, that I found who makes balloon animals. No not a clown, just some dude that picked up the hobby for his daughter and we were able to convince him to do the birthday party.

So Chuck was in one room, most of Mira’s toys were in another, we made a “snowman” craft and snacks in another and we put the balance beam and basketball hoop in the heated backroom. Yes, you read that right. For her 4th birthday, Mira’s granpa Mark (aka Pop Pops) fashioned her a 8+ foot balance beam. It’s super sweet.

Mira and all the kids started getting balloons from Chuck right away. It was pretty cool. Here he is giving a flower to our of our guests.

Here's a flower!

And Mira and her buddy from school, Ethan, got a snake and pink fish too.

Yes, the black thing is a snake.

There seems to be an age when kids just really get what’s going on around them and I have to say that Mira has officially arrived. She has been waiting for this birthday and the singing of “Happy Birthday” just for her. We had everyone head into the backroom and Uncle Alex brought in 9 “carebare” cupcakes that Erika had put 4 lit candles on. She was shaking she was so excited. Here is a collage of the momentous occasion.

So excited!

Of course then it was time for everyone to enjoy the cupcakes. There is no getting around the mess that is a cupcake and small children. Elsa Walz was one of the first go get into it:

Mmmm, delicious!

Cousin darcy thought it was just scented soap…

So good for the pores!

You should all know that once you put a house full of 3-4 year olds together for 2 hours and then give them a ton of sugar. They will all crash shortly thereafter. And crash they did. I counted six that were carried out kicking and screaming. Ah the joys of parenthood. The good news is that they all had a great time, including Mira.

And once everyone had left. We let uncle Nathan bring out his special presents. Nerf swords. Yes, you read that right. My brother got my daughter six Nerf swords with which to impose her will on unsuspecting friends and foes. It took about 1.3 seconds for Mira and Nathan to start sparring.

Yah!

And it took just a bit more time until Mira was nearing the end of her day. We had her pose with some of the balloons from her care bear party one last time.

Love the butterfly hat!

In a house full of weary friends and relatives, we put the sleepy birthday girl to bed.

I’m not sure at what age Mira’s days will cease to be filled with wide-eyed wonder and excitement. But today was surely one of those and I’ll remember it for many, many years.

That little miracle of ours is something else!