Almost 6 & Already 8

Amara's birthday is already three weeks past and now we are preparing to celebrate (Not so) Baby Girl turning 6. I still can't comprehend it all. 

Smack in between the girls birthdays, we had a pool party at the local swim center. Don and I figured since they are on the swim team this was a good choice. Fun was had by all and we were lucky enough that the sun was out (although it was quite windy). 

Sometime during the party, in between doling out homemade ziti and making introductions, I realized how the faces in the kids life had changed in the course of just one year.

In years past, when the kids were younger and we hung around with mostly families from our mom's group or babysitting co-op, the annual birthdays were a time for grown ups to connect as well. Familiar faces that over time had grown into friendships were present from one year to the next. Now that most of these kids are all in different schools we are not seeing those same familiar and comfortable faces as much.  Connecting with other moms and the kids we used to see weekly is increasingly difficult in this ever busy life when our kids are not home with us and wanting to hang out at the park. So in between dishing out ziti and pointing to the cooler, it struck me that over the course of their lives we probably will see many faces come and go and hopefully there will be a few that remain constant. I want the girls to grow up knowing some of the same kids as they get older. There is something to be said for friendships that are rooted in childhood.

As the girls grow, moments like this along with many others have reminded me of the impermanence of this life. During the party I share this the couple of folks friends my slow acceptance that this life passes quickly and how immortality is staring me in the face expressed and the frequent reminds of the importance of being in the moment and cherishing what is right before me because like the faces at the party, things change and they can still be full of joy and meaning.

There was a cake design battle between the girls. Havana is still young enough to enjoy decorated cakes (we were trying to do a Hawaiian theme) but Amara felt she was too big. Havana won out when we agreed to get some cupcakes to go along with the cake.