Happy Birthday Bento

Three times a year ~~at minimum~~ I have a little ~~major~~, holy shit moment. I’ve discovered that parenting does this to you… Or rather, not so much parenting, but becoming a parent. Time used to pass, with only such significant events as mine or my hubbys birthdays and major holidays marking time come and gone.

Days.

Weeks.

Months.

Years.

All used to pass in the blink of an eye, seemingly without notice.

When there’s no real benchmark, comparison is futile.

Now, things are different. Each of my kids birthdays are met with a “wow, I can’t believe he/she is __ years old! It seems like just yesterday ____ ” I have a strangely photographic memory, in that I can often take myself back to specific moments in time and recall them like they happened moments ago. Now, I’m no Marilu Henner, but I can often recount such details as what I was wearing, words that were said, and exact events precisely as they occurred. Each year at my kids birthdays, I’m taken back to my labour and births. The first moments of holding those precious babes in my arms and marveling at the fact that I/We did this this… We created these beautiful lives. Each year I look at my children and see how they have changed from the last. The names and dates are inked onto my wall marking physical growth, and the conversations and actions mark the emotional and cognitive growth.

Amazing.

En route to Preschool. Mad singing
“Happy Birthday to MEEEEEE”
and showing me how old she is on her fingers!

These two dates make up 2/3 of my “Holy shit” moments. The other is what I call her “surg-ersary”. The date that my beautiful daughter underwent a life changing, and saving open heart surgery. In fact, I suppose I actually have 4 “Holy Shit” moments as the date her heart problems were discovered also resonates heavily with me.

Perhaps this is why Madison’s birthday is always such a big thing for me. She’s fought battles, overcome odds, and is such a little trooper.

So on this day, I wish my beautiful, intelligent, feisty little redhead a happy, happy birthday!

Today’s Lunch consists of flower shaped cucumbers, mini chocolate chip cookies, a roast beef cake sammie, cinnamon bun, a pear with a heart cut out (and raisin inserted), and veggie chips.

Things I used to make this lunch: