Zoë's 4th Birthday!

I know I see my little people every day, and I watch them go through small changes and milestones all the time, which should remind me that time is passing.  But whenever one of their birthdays comes along, it never ceases to make me stop and look at them, like REALLY look at them, in amazement, and notice that they aren't that little any more.  And I realize, they're growing up.  And darn it, it's happening too fast.  And....another year just passed?  Really?  When did they get so big?!

Why didn't anyone tell me how painfully long a night with a sick child can be, and how the day of 'eventually not needing to buy diapers' seems as far from reach as a winning lottery ticket.... all while time marches on, and you suddenly wake up one day to find that your baby girl isn't actually a baby anymore... but a twirling, dancing, dress loving, pink laden little girl that loves to giggle and play dress-up.

We celebrated Zoë becoming 4 by re-enacting our generic backyard pool/piñata birthday party.  Making it unique to Zoë by letting her pick her Little Mermaid cake and party items.  She picked a crown to wear, mermaid decorations, and a Little Mermaid piñata.  There's nothing like watching little kids take turns swinging a bat at Disney characters....

Our big 4 year old at her 'Little Mermaid' party

complete with brightly colored mermaid cake

Happy Birthday Zoë!

Luca enjoying some ice cream, say cheese!

it was a warm day, good for relaxing poolside... with some snacks

 Our neighbors gave Zoë a collection set of Disney Princess Dolls, of which she lined up in her bed so they could sleep with her that night.  All was well with the world, everyone sleeping with what they wanted, and with full tummy's... until Zoë woke me up at 2:45am in a tizzy because her Princess Dolls were no longer all in a line.  She woke me up with a pressured and very frantic whisper that I had to hurry and come help her get her princesses lined up!  

The next day, Monday July 7, was Zoë's actual birthday.  We headed out early in the AM for our traditional birthday breakfast at Kristin's Diner, only to find that Kristin left town on vacation... and wouldn't be back for a week.  Apparently the Diner didn't get the memo that the Silvestro's were planning on being there!  Anyway, we ended up at another cute local breakfast place, and Zoë was just as happy to get a Mickey Mouse pancake, while continuing to sport her Little Mermaid Crown. 

all smiles for her birthday breakfast

I'll spare you the picture of what Luca was doing most of this particular birthday breakfast.  Everyone was still tired from the previous long day of swimming and candy eating at Zoë's party.  Especially Luca... who wasn't particularly interested in anything, let alone a pancake that looked like Mickey Mouse.  He proceeded to fidget with everything near his reach on the table: squirt open jam containers, try and eat the butter out of the little butter cups, poke holes in the half&half cups... all while slowly melting into a frenzy that ended with him screaming as he slid down on his back from his booth seat, landing on the floor under the table.  We tried just leaving him there, and ignoring his tantrum.  It was sort of like survival mode as I tried to finish my meal before inevitably having to take him outside.  The table and distance actually provided a sound muffle and visible barrier that made it easier to just pretend he wasn't down there writhing like a serpent.  Eventually I gave in and took him outside, but most everyone followed us in only a few short minutes....  we were all pretty ready to just go back home and go BACK to sleep.

Zoë wanted a picture with her brothers....

birthday year 4 in my CU Buffs shirt!  Some day little girl!

 Things I don't want to forget about having Zoë as my little girl: 

-how much she LOVES to snuggle all the time, and gives me a hug and kiss each night

-the dancing shows she puts on with the fireplace as her stage

-her love of swimming, just like mommy....