We had Catalina's birthday party (ies) in advance, as we had an Europe trip planned for March 9th. There was a lot of anticipation and preparation on our part, we were excited beyond ration and we transfered plenty of it to Catalina. She picked the cake she wanted, no big surprise here, as she told us from last year she wants to be Belle for her 5th birthday. She did not forget...princess all over again :)
The morning of her party she was all ready, happy and dancing. She looked so so pretty in her dress, she knew it and she was showing off all around the house
We took her with us to pick up the cake, the balloons, to prepare everything for the party. She was happy to be included in everything, but I think it really took a toll on her.
By the time we got to the party venue, a cool pottery place, she was exhausted. She greeted her friends, she started participating in everything, but she needed mommy every at every step.
It was a big crowd, most of the kids from her class came to celebrate. In all honesty, it was a very nice venue. Kids get to paint their own piece of pottery that they later take home and can use as a regular dish/cup. We had pizza, cake, veggies and plenty of drinks. It was big, elaborate party, tiring for myself as well.
By the time we were ready for cake, Catalina crushed. She cried a lot, I had to take her outside to calm down. All the excitement was way beyond her limits. Luckily, all the other guests seemed oblivious and we were able to calm down on our own time.
The party was a success, but my mommy heart felt that I cheated Catalina of some quiet, relaxing time. I was happy to head home where we had an "after-party" party, involving only 2 other kids. She wanted to be Belle, so we had a tea party. She had her best friend from school and her best romanian friend around. This was the time she actually enjoyed :)
Her friend stayed unexpectedly late, so we had an unconventional dinner set for the girls. Catalina's favorite, plain spaghetti :)
At the end of the night, Catalina was as tired as one can be. She wanted to sleep, she wanted her friend gone. There is such thing as too much happiness, too many people to love you. Catalina is an amazing girl, we give her everything we can, and that day I saw that everything is many times just too much.
But when love pours out of your heart, how can a parents just trickle it, so the kid does not drown? Such, such a hard job for a parent, one that both Marius and I are failing miserably.
After Catalina went to sleep that night we stayed up to put together her birthday present. A Barbie doll house, fully furnished. This meant a full 3 hours of assembling plus at least one more hour of rearranging furniture so the house can fit in Catalina's already crowded room. I believe we did a good job, and Catalina loved it!
This ended a weekend full of emotions, celebrations and cake. We felt somehow that we should have a little something in daycare as well, so we took a cake to the classroom. Before the celebration all kids sing happy birthday in a circle, and each has to say something nice about the birthday boy/girl. I wanted to sit in the circle to tell all the amazing things my daughter does and is, but I guess there is a reason parents are not invited to do so :).
Once again, too much, too soon, too hard for Catalina. She cried again, barely touched the cake. Lesson learnt, a 5 year old can handle only that much attention...
It was hard to see Catalina overwhelmed by her own celebrations. But at the same time, through all the singing, the laughing and the preparations I felt the same. I truthfully could not truly accept that my daughter turns 5. It feels like it was only yesterday that she was born, that she smelled like spring and milk at the same time. Can it be, that there is such thing as too much happiness? Because when I look at her, I feel like I am drowning in love and laughter; and every day there is more love, more awe at how amazing this tiny girl is, and how much light she brought to me; and many times I don't know what to do with it all.
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