On her birthday, before anyone had given her well wishes, Sarah sat straight up in our bed (her most favourite sleeping spot these days) and announced “4!”. We hadn’t built it up or given her a warning about the day because we knew we were going to celebrate a day late due to Dan’s work and my canning schedule (which I really must update you on). I was surprised then by this announcement.

Sarah has always marched to the beat of her own drum. She has set the timeline for each and every milestone – standing, walking, talking – she’s taken each at her own pace. And so I say she’s has stayed our baby just a little longer because she has been in no rush to grow up. And so sometimes we forget just how much she is growing up.

And so these pictures from her birthday must be shared as proof to myself that these moments are fleeting and oh so cherishable.

Awaiting the birthday breakfast by Daddy.

Candles with breakfast are a must.

So worth the wait…Daddy is good to us.

Followed by a rainy trip to the zoo.

Feeding duckies – Sarah’s favourite.

Despite how many times she’d already seen her birthday sweater blocking she was still full of excitement over it (be still my beating heart).

No, she’s not disappointed that her sweater is two sizes too big. It’s her favourite silly game – “Sad face…”

“…Happy face!”

You’re not noticing all the clutter in background around that happy girl are you? Of course not.

She also had some special gifts to open from her sweet, sweet siblings.

Daddy lights the candles on the yellow girl’s yellow cake.

Turning four is a beautiful thing. Bittersweet for a mama’s heart perhaps, but so much fun.

I feel like I’ve been a rather distant blogger lately. My head has lots of half composed posts but my brain is a bit foggy these days. Actually it’s not limited to blogging – I’ve been baking cookies with half the flour, misjudging my present…er…girth bringing injury (or at least annoyance) to myself and my family, making grocery lists for Dan that are missing half the required grocery items, letting my smaller children live in pyjamas and leaving half finished sentences hanging in the air around me.

And while my brain is somewhat mushy I’m deep into nesting mode. Finding walls and baseboards that suddenly need washing. Continuing to can and bake bread like a mad woman. Organizing and reorganizing dressers and closets. Making endlessly hopeful knitting plans – taking my gentle hobby into the arena of extreme sport.

For goodness sake I realized I’ve scrubbed the floor three times this week.

Before anyone gives me heck…I’m resting lots in between the spurts of activity because I am so so tired. Unfortunately I’ve moved past the sleepy tired into the overactive headspace tired so my rest time seems to be divided between list making and list checking along the lines of:

• scrub floor √
• vacuum √
• clean bathroom √
• laundry √
• scrub floor
• vacuum
• clean bathroom
• laundry

Kind of defeating in a way, no?

But really none of that matters. It’s just keeping me busy while I get even more excited to hold this little one in my arms. Explore tiny fingers and toes. Nibble sweet ears with endless kisses. It will be good.

So while I consider how many appendages this child really has (my current guess is at least 8 ) and try to avoid the grumps (not doing too well on that front lately), I’m remembering how very thankful I am for this life I’ve been given.

Such a full life.

(Sharing photos that were taken around my in-laws property during our visit last month.)

Feeling full and tired and quiet today.

Thought I’d share a few photos of our recent days.

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Peace to you, friends!