Because She's The Star.

Meg was the "Star Student" this week at school. The teacher wisely paired up their special week with their birthday. The hustle a spotlight and birthday brings is certainly different from the mom's perspective than the kid's:

Because she was The Star, the week began with:
me balancing a posterboard through the skinny aisles of the dollarstore,
her coloring and adding favorites for the classroom display.

Because she was The Star, her requested treat to share meant:
me slicing out the countless seeds from an end-of-the-season watermelon,
her grinning ear to ear when she saw me appear at her classroom with a full bowl in hand, rather than the watermelon-flavored suckers that would have been the easy route.

Because she is the Birthday Star today, late last night included:

me making another store run for balloons, cake ingredients, dinner items, and cupcakes for school - wondering how a "low-key" birthday suddenly became such a production.

her finally sleeping as balloons were placed up the stairs leading to one present she opened this morning.

Because she is the Birthday Star today, the cake has been the project:

me thinking a layered ice cream cake would be easy...forgetting what a mess each cake becomes (hoping ganache will cover the batter's flaws and setup in time),

her coming home to the lingering smell of a new recipe having overflown onto the bottom of the oven.

Because she is the Birthday Star, the realization is:

for me that we parents go to extremes (even when "low-key") to make sure this annual day is remembered as special,

(and I hope) for her that she knows those around her love her.

When all is said and done...When she lays in bed tonight realizing that there are 364 days until it's "her day" again,
I hope she understands:

The carefully placed balloons were meant to bring a smile. The cupcakes, which took three stores to round up, were for peers who echoed teacher's "whoop-whoop" to exclaim they love having her in their class. The presents in the small pile were each carefully thought out as something that'd be enjoyed. And, the sliding cake layers were still homemade. Even if the layers didn't look pictureperfect under the candles. Even if half the balloons were sagging to the floor when you returned from school. Even if the cupcakes were "two-bites" tiny. Even if the presents were done quickly. And, even if the cake could have been replaced last minute by a tasteless store-bought...Our "low-key" attempts were all to make her happy.

We are blessed that she is part of our family.

Seven years blessed!