EVERLY IS TWO

She woke early and we called out 'Happy birthday!' as we opened her door and smothered her with birthday kisses. She ran through streamers strung from her door frame, into the kitchen where her birthday ring* and gifts were waiting on the table. She listened intently as I told her birthday story, lighting the candles as I spoke - the star candle to celebrate her birth and the day we became parents, and then another two candles for her first and second birthdays.

She opened the card all by herself ("No, my do it!"), tearing the envelope at the corner and ripping it open with her finger, just like Mama (I am constantly amazed by how much she observes and mimics). In a little felt bag hid four tiny gnomes, lovingly handmade by the dear Steph from This Brown Wren**. Wrapped in playcloths (handmade by our playgroup leader - Thanks Lila!) were a butterfly puzzle and two books: The Terrible Plop (a little too long for her at the moment, so we'll revisit in a couple of months) and A Bit Lost (quickly a crowd favourite).

Hiding in the loungeroom was her final birthday surprise - a play farm we set up the night before on a green playcloth, with handcrafted wooden animals from local woodmaker Heinz Huxholl, felt trees I made the night before (nothing like the last minute!), and a little pond and mud patch simply cut from wool felt. I will always remember the look on Everly's face as she walked into the lounge. How magical it would be to be a child again!

She enjoyed pancakes for breakfast, a visit from Oma (who came bearing gifts of art supplies and new shoes), a play at the park, chasing balloons around the house, and her favourite for dinner (chicken schnitzels, mashed potato and fennel salad).

Happy birthday to my Everly, my caring, clever, independent and funny little girl who thinks farts are hilarious (they are!), talks all day long, and is a constant source of delight and wonder. I still can't quite believe you are TWO! I love you so much.

*Originally a German tradition, the birthday ring is now also commonly used in Waldorf-inspired families. Typically, the ring is filled with candles as well as ornaments that hold a particular meaning for the child. We chose the rocking horse to symbolise Everly's first birthday as she loved anything to do with horses (she still does!) and she received a large wooden rocking horse as her gift from Mark and I. The dog ornament is for her second birthday as she adores our dog Billy, points to every dog we see when out n' about, and imitates all the dogs in her Hairy Maclary books. I filled the rest of the ring with rocks, shells and leaves we have collected together from our trips to the beach and neighbourhood walks, as well as the crystal she received at playgroup when the story of the Rainbow Bridge was told. 

**Steph, Everly was absolutely delighted by the gnomes! They have been on many cartrips already, clutched tightly in her hand. I'm sure they will continue to be treasured for many years. Thank you again!

GOODBYE TOOTH

I've been a little quiet around here... a combination of not having the urge to write, and not wanting to take photos while I enjoy days with my little family. Last Saturday we spent the day at the Willunga Waldorf School for their Autumn Fair, and I consciously left my camera at home. We wandered the school grounds (we hope for Everly to start there in 2017), Everly painted her own streamer wand and played in the Kindy sandpit, we ate delicious curry and frozen fruit icecream, and listened to beautiful music in the sun. I also managed to get a little of Everly's birthday shopping out of the way (she turns two in June) - a handmade wooden farm animal set and a tiny felt mouse. It was so lovely to experience the vibrant and welcoming Waldorf community and reminded me again why we want to make the move to Willunga one day.

Then, it was my birthday on the 13th. I was surprised with flowers and chocolate, and coffee and cake with my little family at my favourite bakery in the morning. Unfortunately, in the afternoon, Everly took a nasty fall from the kitchen step-stool and knocked out her front tooth. It was a huge shock for her, and for Mark and I, as I scooped her up in my arms to discover blood pouring from her lips. A quick look in her mouth proved my concerns, and shortly after Mark discovered her tooth on the kitchen floor. Everly was such a brave little soul through it all and, after a few minutes of crying and a dose of Chamomilla, she was back to her usual happy, bubbly self. At the emergency dental surgery we were informed there wasn't anything else we could do. The entire tooth had come out clean, so she will now have a cute gappy grin for the next five years, possibly longer as eruption can often be delayed in these cases.

I am still in absolute awe of how Everly has coped with it all. She had no pain relief whatsoever and the only complaint I heard from her was the next day when she bit down on her toast during breakfast and said 'Ouch'. It has been a beautiful reminder of how truly strong and resilient this little girl of ours is. Honestly, I think I was more affected by the incident than she! An intense wave of Mama guilt washed over me, as Everly has had quite a few falls from the step-stool already, albeit much less traumatic, and I began the usual 'what-if' talk to myself, completely unnecessary but what I tend to do under stress. My nerves were truly rattled and as soon as we returned from the dentist I promptly burst into tears! Luckily, my lovely husband organised for my Mum and Dad to come over after Everly had been bathed and put to bed, and he took me out for dinner for Chinese (and a much-needed big glass of wine!). Here's hoping next year's birthday is a little less eventful!