Four.

Kiki=Four.

(Gasp.)

It's not possible. It truly doesn't seem to be, anyway. The memory of her actual birth day still seems so fresh in my mind, but maybe all the drugs I was mainlining that day have enhanced my memory a little. Which is ironic, since the four years following have gone by in a blur.

Her birthday fell on a Sunday, which was a good excuse to celebrate all weekend.

We started on Friday night with our friends the Wolfley's and Wynn's. We went to Asian Star and then the U of U gymnastics meet. We were late to the meet, somewhat intentionally, but we won't be next time because my kids were FASCINATED.

Janet and Alexis.

Saturday was Janet's little boy Kyle's 5th birthday, and since we didn't tire of each other on Friday, we just kept hanging out. We went to lunch (because it's Saturday) at Mi Ranchito.

All I want is a picture of the birthday girl with her family and she gave me nothing but grief.

See her head poking out by Kate?

I guess technically I got what I wanted, then.

Kyle said to Kiki, "It's our birthday. I'm the birthday boy and you are the birthday girl."

Kiki replied, "Okay, then let's not hate each other."

She has her mother's sentimental nature.

We went ice skating too.

Kate and Lex were eager to get suited up and get going.

Bruce's face gives his real feeling away.

Fortunately, the kids seem oblivious.

Kiki spent some time down here.

This is what my face looks like when someone is pressing their nose into my bum crack.

And, no, that's not a punchline or a cute turn of phrase: look close.

We started to get the hang of things.

Kiki was worn out. When we left ice skating she said, "I'm tired of being the birthday girl...I just want to be a regular girl..." in a sleepy sleepy voice.

Kate was desperate to give Kiki an amazing birthday. She made her cards, and a huge banner, and on Kiki's birthday morning, Kate came into the bedroom with a big blanket saying, "...so what I'm going to do is put this blanket over ALL of Kiki's presents and then when she goes into the living room she won't see them and what I'll do after that is WHIP! off the blanket and we will all say SURPRISE!" She'd clearly put a lot of thought into it.

Kate also wanted to make sure that one of the birthday presents was from her alone, and I had bought a Barbie doll and an outfit with that exact same notion in mind, but Kate felt that was unacceptable, and she pestered and pestered until I caved and let Kate "give" Kiki the alpha gift:

The Barbie Cruise Ship.

She was really jazzed about all of it.

My family came to Sunday dinner to celebrate- Kiki was thrilled and I think she is too young to realize how completely awesome it is to have a family who will come and spoil a kid with time and presents just because she's four. I know how awesome it is though, and we really appreciate it.

This is a note for posterity:

Dear Kiki: If you think you can blame me for this insane hairstyle, you can think again. You did this to yourself, and I swear to you that if you ever bring scissors to your hair again I will make you pay and pay dearly. That said, I love you lots. Also, being a beautician is not in your future. It has to be said. Love, your mother.


Kiki wanted a cherry pie AND a chocolate cake for her birthday. Because she spoiled, I homemade the cherry pie. Because I'm not completely insane, the cake was store bought.

This was going to be a really good picture until Dave stuck out his camera at the last second.

I bet HIS picture turned out really good though.

After everyone left, things got a little kinky.

About my four year old girl:

Kiki's humor is a frequent topic on this blog, and her birthday weekend was no different.

#1:

Kate and I got in a little discussion. The topic is not important but things did get a little tense. Kiki interrupted us saying, "Guys! Guys! Let's just talk about caterpillars!"

#2:

Kiki has a wart on her hand. I've recently started treating it with Compound W and it is kind of turning brown. (I've no idea if this is what is supposed to happen or not. If this answer is "not" how about one of you all shoot me a little warning?) On the way home from church yesterday, Kate said to Kiki, "Your wart is REALLY BROWN," in a disgusted tone of voice. Kiki casually replied, "Yeah. Probably it's going to grow a big long hair. Then it'll be like (at this point she waved her little wart hand in my face), 'HELLOOOOOOOO LADIES!"

#3

We've been working on her not saying "Hell." It's my fault. I say it all the time but I'm working on it. She said to me the other day, "I know I should say oh my heck but I think it's funner to say oh my hell."

Kiki is one of the happiest kids around. She loves to play with her farm and her animals and her dolls. I love to listen in on her playing because her pretend conversations are very enlightening. She loves to eat macaroni and cheese, scrambled eggs, and cottage cheese. She loves the library and Spongebob. Her favorite clothes are shorts and tank tops. She had her first pedicure last week and thought it was stupid. She sings all of the time. I hope her fifth year is as much sheer fun as the years previous have been.