I am thrilled to say: Happy 9th birthday, Eliza Renee! I cannot believe we are in the last year of your single-digit age.
We skipped our Oktoberfest party this year (I predict a comeback) that served as your friends-and-family birthday party so you could enjoy a more classic birthday party with your friends. I debated wearing the lederhosen for your party but made the responsible choice. After a lot of debate with your Mom about the birthday party theme and activities, we settled on a party at our house a few days before your actual birthday with a series of art stations.
You had a gaggle of girlfriends over (no boys) and had a blast doing your favorite thing — using your imagination with endless art supplies available. To help keep the party girls-only, I took Matteo out to make stops around Gig Harbor and shopping at Metro Retro (his favorite Pokemon store in Tacoma). He was kind enough to pick out some cards for you as one of your birthday presents. We came back in time for dessert — a Trader Joe’s pumpkin sheet cake that your Mom and I are into — and present opening. I wish you could picture how you held court. With the gaggle surrounding you on the couch, you were sure to open every present deliberately, as if you were performing on stage, and made sure to look at and hold the hand of the person who gave you the present you just opened to express gratitude with sincere enthusiasm.
The morning of your birthday, I went out and got donuts in the morning so you could enjoy something sweet and get a song and candles before school started. You dressed in a very “older kid” style that included a light pink crewneck that said “Best Friends Club” and ripped jeans in a light wash. After school, Grandma Vicki, Nonno, Julie, Uncle Sergio and Riley came over for a small family celebration where you got to open a few more presents.
I convinced you before your birthday to encourage everyone to donate to a children’s hospital or animal shelter in lieu of presents. We simply have and get too many things. You embraced the idea and impressed everyone you told, especially adults. We raised some donations but the presents came anyway. The big hit came from Grandma Vicki who got you a perpetually sleeping, lifelike orange cat whose stomach raised and collapsed slightly emulating real breathing. You thought it was just so cute. After carrying it around a few days, we noticed it wasn’t working so well. I think Greta stepped on it when we left the fake cat and real dog in the car. You were devasted to see the subtle breathing replaced by a regular popping sound. Of course, we replaced the toy and you learned your lesson about leaving cats and dogs in small enclosed spaces.
As you’re now nine years old, we are also halfway through this letter-writing experience. Nine years or 108 months down, 108 months to go. These letters are intended to be one big gift to you and certainly the experience of writing to you has been an equal gift to me. Thanks for being such an amazing kid.
Love,
Dad