Yesterday was a big day here, folks. It was #2’s birthday. And not just any birthday, but the Big 1-0. Yup, double digits.
So as I said, it’s a big day. And why do I say that again? Perhaps because it was ingrained in me, since it’s been repeated like a mantra by #2…
every.single.day.
… for 46 days now.
Why 46, you ask? Because 46 days ago was #1’s birthday. And the newly minted house rule, established on the exact day of #1’s September birthday, is that you are not permitted to talk about YOUR birthday on SOMEONE ELSE’S birthday.
(This rule need not apply to the general population, apparently. Just #2.)
It proved to be an effective rule… until the morning after #1’s birthday. #2 awoke that morning all too thrilled to remind me,
“Ok! Now I can talk about it! Only a month away- whoo hoo!!” (Fist pumps)
I get it though. Can’t blame the kid. #2 is one of the most kind-hearted, generous and sweet little souls I know. She also suffers from a condition, that if left untreated, can be quite serious.
It’s called… MIDDLE CHILD SYNDROME.
Now is she “technically” a middle child? Who knows. When you have six kids, it’s a given that there will occasionally be overlooked needs, hurt feelings, or the pressing need for more attention.
It’s just that #2 reaaaally pays attention to such things.
But let me back up to first say that out of all of our children, #2 is without a doubt the most compassionate, kind-hearted and loving of all. (Don’t tell the others I said that, though.) She has a heart that literally overflows with love, especially for her family.
She’s also a walking cartoon character. Just about everything that #2 says and does is fun. She talks endlessly about fun. She wants to have MORE FUN. She wants others around her to join in the fun. And they do. The little guys adore #2, because she can make fun out of any and every little thing. Like this:
Or this:
And this:
Oh yeah, and this:
#2 loves to make life fun, so it’s only natural that when her birthday rolls around, she wants it to be the BEST DAY EVER.
And it was. Because she deserves it. And not just because she’s a beloved child of ours (Legal Disclaimer: We love all six of our children EQUALLY. If they ask, tell them you saw it, IN WRITING.). She deserves it because more than anything, she had the need to feel special. More appreciated than just any other day. More nurtured and doted on than any other day.
#2 slipped into the world just 13 months after #1. And 2 years prior to #3, the first boy in the family. So her reception into the world at large was basically,
The World: “Oh, another… baby? Didn’t you just have a… oh, another girl? Oh, ok. That’s.. nice. Bet you want a boy, huh!??”
I kid. No one ever said that. But #2 tends to THINK that.
Couldn’t be further from the truth. #2 has made her distinct and perfect (albeit messy) mark on our family. And in her honor, we worked hard to bless her with a memorable birthday. Which started with a fantastic birthday breakfast of red velvet muffins (her favorite):
She couldn’t finish her muffin, however. And asked me to put it aside. Which I DID. Until #4 came home from preschool and asked for a muffin. And I… forgot. And gave it to #4.
My bad. My very, very bad. See why poor #2 feels slighted?? Occasionally I’m the worst!
So despite that after school setback, we had a splendid family dinner together, all eight of us. Because when you have a big family, it’s always a party. Even accidentally. Like when The Captain was tuning the stereo and an impromptu dance party erupted:
The Spanish music station instantly activated our kids’ latent Puerto Rican genes.
… and the presents, of course….
All good stuff. But what touched me the most was how she “got” how very loved she was. She thanked The Captain and I for getting her “real Carlo’s Bakery cake, touched by him!” (technically, unlikely, but baked in the same factory he has BEEN in, so close enough, no??), for her presents, and for her delicious meal.
It was a perfect day to celebrate how much we adore #2. And how we all wanted to give her back just a touch of the fun, excitement, and love that she gives unconditionally to every single one of us every day.
I still felt bad about the muffin, guys. But I needn’t have worried.
In the mix of her load of presents was the bouquet of flowers that The Captain buys for each of his girls on their birthday (awesome, right?!), and another tiny bag that I hadn’t seen before.
In the bag: a brand new HUGE red velvet muffin.
(Disclaimer: This type of stuff is why The Captain is the favorite parental unit. Who can compete with chivalrous crap like that??)
“Happy 10th Birthday, to my beautiful, kind and artistic #2! WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!”
There. Now the whole world knows. 🙂
© Copyright 2013 Six Pack Mom, All rights Reserved. Written For: Six Pack Mom