I started writing a while back (again), but time moves too fast when you’re having fun. Now over two months later and I’m just now pressing “Publish”.
Kaya, you turned six on July 28th of this year. The day of your birthday, we spent doing all kinds of fun stuff. You woke up to your favorite cereal and presents from us. The things that you’re into this year haven’t changed a lot since last year, and that’s more than okay with me. You still love books, pretty clothes, princess stuff, and art supplies; and that is what you got for your birthday. Your favorite gift this year was one that you’d been asking for, for months after seeing an infomercial on TV. You really wanted a unicorn Pillow Pet, and I kept trying to play it off like I couldn’t find one in time for your birthday. When you opened your gift, you dove into the box and stayed there for a while just to cuddle with your new toy.
After breakfast, you and I headed to see the free summer showing of “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs”. I loved that book as a kid and was excited to see the movie with you. You haven’t been as into that book yet, but that’s probably just because we have so many that it’s hard to get stuck on one or two right now. The movie was really not like the book though, so that didn’t matter and you enjoyed it quite a bit. Your favorite part was when the two main characters spent the day in a house of Jell-O. We’ve talked about that many times since then.
When the movie was over, we headed over to the State Fair for some more Mommy-Kaya time. You had a really hard time decided which rides you wanted to spend your tickets on, but you were happy with your choices once you did decide. I was very proud of you for going on the “Super Slide” by yourself! That slide was HUGE, but you decided that you wanted to do it and you did, even though you were nervous once you got to the top. You did great!
After we spent some time by ourselves at the Fair, it was time to go home and get Daddy. Grammy & Papa met us at home to give you birthday gifts and to watch Oliver so that we could stay out later. This was the first year that you got to stay up late enough to see the fireworks at the end of the night. You loved them of course, and we loved watching you love them.
It’s so fun to enjoy more “grown-up” things with you now that you’re older, but I don’t really want you to keep growing up. I’d like you to stay a little girl for a very long time. I know that you don’t understand why being a kid is so great, and sometimes you’re anxious to grow up, but I really hope you stay a kid a little longer than I did. I think that’s something that a lot of parents hope for their kids. Very few of us linger in our childhood for long enough. Since you were born, I’ve found myself getting super emotional at seemingly silly occasions (the silliest being when we listen to the Muppet Babies sing, “I Will Always Love You”). I just want your childhood to be rich and full of good memories, love, and experiences that you will draw from. The teenage years will come soon enough, followed by adulthood; and every time I’m reminded of that, it brings lots and lots of tears. They’re not sad tears, necessarily – just sentimental tears. I usually manage to hide them but they’re still there. My heart just swells when we get time together to make memories and share fun experiences.
Right now, we’re planning a trip to Disneyland that you know nothing about. I’m so excited, I can hardly contain the secret. We participated in Disney’s Give A Day, Get A Day program this year, so we have tickets to use, and we’re lucky enough to have Uncle Bill and Aunt Berit who live so close to the park. We’re going to be renting a car next Thursday (ours won’t make it that far) and driving down to stay with Uncle Bill & Aunt Berit. When we start the trip, that’s the only thing that we’re telling you. You’ll be excited enough to go visit them. On Friday morning, we’re going to tell you our secret then spend the day enjoying the wonders of Disneyland. You are still so into princesses and all things Disney, that you are probably going to spend all day on cloud nine. I think every kid your age would be on cloud nine there, but getting to meet the princesses and other characters is probably going to send you over the moon. I can’t wait.
As if that’s not enough, you recently told me that you’re dream vacation would be to spend a day in Disneyland and a day at the beach. Well, weather permitting, we’ll be spending Saturday at the beach. The last time you saw the ocean, you were Oliver’s age (just over two) and you loved it. We had taken a trip to Catalina Island to visit Auntie while she worked at Campus by the Sea. You just couldn’t get enough of the water. Every time there was a chance to ride a boat, we went. And anytime I’d let you in the water, you were there without hesitation. Since you were so young, your memories are vague, but you do remember liking it and that you want to go again. It will be so fun to see the beach through your six-year-old eyes.
Back to your birthday though—
When we started talking about your birthday in January, we decided that we would do our own version of Chuck E. Cheese’s, called Kaya Cheese’s. We waited to hold the party until after school started in August so that you could invite all of your school friends too. It was actually kind of nice for you that way, because it made your birthday experience last longer. You basically had a two-week long birthday. J When we did have your party, we had Kaya Cheese’s in our backyard, with game stations where you could win tickets and a prize store at the end. We also had a rain-stick craft, a dance party, and brownie ice cream sandwiches. You and your friends had tons of fun. It was a great end to a great two weeks.
I can’t believe how quickly the last six years have gone. You are growing into such a beautiful person and I couldn’t love you more. This year, you have learned so much about friendship, become a great big sister, an awesome student, and you are still very much my baby. You like it that way, and so do I. I love watching you grow more independent and figure out how to do more things on your own, but I’d be happy if you stayed my baby forever and ever.
Love you to the moon and back,
Mommy
Here are a few pictures from your party, thanks to a couple of friends who were willing to drag the camera around for a while. 
I am so happy. My baby has a beautiful family.