Dearest Patty,
This year, Daddy and I planned to give you a big birthday bash. We were planning to have all the fixings: rent and decorate a venue, get a big pink and purple cake, have a princess in the party and a make-up station, and invite all our friends. But the universe had other plans for us, well, for the entire world, really. We are in the middle of a pandemic, and right now, New Zealand is in lockdown. This means we need to stay at home, and we celebrated your birthday inside the house, with just the four of us.
Daddy and I put up some balloons (from your last birthday) in the living room. Instead of buying a cake, you and I baked one. You had a lot of fun decorating it with sprinkles. I made yours and Ate’s favorite spaghetti with hotdogs, and of course, we gave you a present. Nothing fancy, but you loved it. You also put on some make up and loved looking at yourself in the mirror. “I’m so pretty, Mummy!” was what you said.
I’ve been thinking of how you’ve changed since last year, and I know there’s been a lot, my love. You are becoming so chatty, and not afraid to say what you want. You’ve made friends in school, and love your teachers too. Every time you come home from school, you tell me that you made me a drawing. I love getting those drawings (you can draw a face now!).
You’re also a very good sister to your Ate, and you like watching out for her and tell her to “be careful or you’ll get ouchie”. You’ve also become aware when myself or Daddy is mad, and that’s when you try to make a joke, or sing a silly song to make us laugh. I love that about you, dear Patty.
On a recent trip to the playground, I was going to help you get on the swing. But you pushed me away, and said: “I can do it by myself, Mommy”. My first reaction was to laugh, but as I stepped aside to let you do your thing, I felt like crying, because this was one of those moments. See, there are moments in your child’s life that you look forward to, but also dread. That moment when your kids assert their independence, that they don’t need your help anymore. There will be many more of these times when you’ll tell me you don’t need me anymore, and I can only hope that I’ll be prepared when you say them again (and again..).
At three years old, my dear Patty, you have such a great personality–silly, curious about the world, loud, but also sensitive and kind, brave, independent. I can only wish for a good year for you, my love. You, Daddy, me and Ate–we’ll have fun as always. When this pandemic is over, we’ll go and drive around again, see more new places and learn new things. Next year, we will definitely have a big party for you.
Here’s to your 3rd year, my love. I look forward to seeing more great things from you. I just know that this will be a year that you will learn, and grow and become more awesome than you are now.
Love Always,
Mummy
