Three Years Old!

Happy birthday to my special little three-year-old, Yaminah!

Yesterday (Jan. 19) was her actual birthday, but we had her party a week before. Now that the floor has finally been cleaned of all of the tiny, colored sprinkles that had fallen on the floor, and the birthday is over, it is time for a report!

Yaminah has been so excited for her birthday (for all kinds of celebrations, really), so last night when she asked us happily, "Will you sing Happy Birthday to me tomorrow too?" and I had to tell her that her birthday would be over then, that it only lasts for one day, she burst into tears.  But I think that she has had a great birthday and party, and here are some of the hightlights to share with you.

First, we celebrated Tomas' birthday, which is on January 8. I know that Yaminah has a hard time keeping a secret, so this time I did not tell her exactly what Tomas would be getting as a gift. I did, however, inform her that I was buying a cake from a café, but I told her to keep it a secret. A little later, while I was at choir, I saw that Tomas posted this conversation on Facebook, and I will translate it here:

Yaminah: "I am not supposed to tell you that you are getting a cake."
Tomas: "But why are you telling me now then?"
Yaminah: "I am not telling you. I am just telling you that I am not supposed to tell you!"

With her quick mind, Yaminah sure keeps us on our toes. Some of her favorite activities now include doing puzzles and counting objects. She also loves her Duplo Lego, books (we read a lot), singing, Curious George, and her dolls. She knows all of the letters now, and is starting to understand that a few letters put together can make a word. Much to Tomas' annoyance sometimes at the supper table, she loves being quizzed. If I say a word, like "Birgitta," then she thinks it is great fun to guess what the first letter of the word is. She thinks for a moment, then yells, "IT'S B!" at which point Tomas usually says, "Good! Now no more quizzes, let's eat supper!" which Yaminah and I think is funny.

She has also started to understand some of the more serious aspects of life, such as death. Since her Grandpa Morfar (my grandfather) was seriously ill during Christmas vacation, and we were all worried about him, and since she knows her great grandma Hildur is now in heaven, she now understands more about what it is to die. When the tulips from her birthday party had wilted, she told Tomas during breakfast, "We should not say that the flowers have died. We should say that they are no longer living," she explained.  All in all, not a bad way to look at life, I think.

What is it about birthdays, and other milestones, that can make us nostalgic? I keep a birthday book for her, where I took notes from an interview I conducted with her (asking questions like what does she want to be when she grows up, when was she last sad, etc). In this book we also keep birthday cards. It is so much fun, but sometimes bittersweet, to look through old cards and letters. I especially want to revisit the handwriting of someone I miss. Here is a very special card Yaminah received when she turned one. Inside is a crisp one dollar bill, that we will of course save. My grandma Hildur, a real master of cards and correspondence, sent this to Yaminah was she was 100 years old. As we looked through these cards together, Yaminah said, "We should send Grandma Hildur a card!" and I looked at her and said, "But Yaminah, you know that she is in heaven now," to which she responded, "And can't we send her a card there?"

 

Named after her great grandma Hildur, I feel very privileged to be a part of watching Yaminah grow up, to see who she will become. I know Grandma would be so proud of her.

 

The day for the birthday party finally arrived. Yaminah's animal and Curious George-themed party was a hit! We decorated with colorful balloons, Yaminah chose her dress and jewelry, and two hours before the party, Yaminah went to her friend's party with Tomas for one hour. Sending them out of the house was a stroke of genius: while they were gone, and no one in my way, I was quickly able to set the table, put out the food, and add the final touches. The "fika" was great; this time we served two kinds of miniature cupcakes, peanut butter chocolate chip cookies, Brie cheese and crackers, and fresh fruit. (This amazing chocolate frosting recipe and cupcake recipes can be found on my "Recipes" page, here).

Then we had her awesome Curious George cake, and before everyone went home we served pancakes with lingonberry jam and cream. (A few friends were impressed that in the midst of the chaos, Tomas just stood there completely unaffected, happily making his pancakes! This is how he is--sometimes I want him to get more excited about something that is going on around him, or participate faster, but if you want someone to make a huge stack of delicious pancakes in the middle of a crazy, loud birthday party in an apartment, he's your man). Here is a glimpse of the excitement, as the kids danced and danced together.

 

All in all, it has been a nice birthday week. Yesterday on her actual birthday she woke up to her presents in the living room, and we heard her yell, "PAKET!" (presents in Swedish).

"Prinsesstårta", adorable cake hand-made by Yaminah's grandmother, her farmor

Then we had a nice breakfast of her choice (American pancakes with blueberries, fresh mango and fresh-squeezed orange juice). Then while I was away singing with my choir, Tomas and Yaminah went swimming. Yaminah had a blast. Later, our friends Rachel and family came over for birthday fika. When they had to go home because it was getting late, Yaminah asked, "Who is going to come over now?" and I explained that now it was time for bed soon, she was very sad. She wanted the party to continue!

And now she is sleeping peacefully as I share these words with you. Wishing you all the best from us here in Uppsala, from a happy three-year-old, and her tired, but proud, mother.