On her birthday, before anyone had given her well wishes, Sarah sat straight up in our bed (her most favourite sleeping spot these days) and announced “4!”. We hadn’t built it up or given her a warning about the day because we knew we were going to celebrate a day late due to Dan’s work and my canning schedule (which I really must update you on). I was surprised then by this announcement.

Sarah has always marched to the beat of her own drum. She has set the timeline for each and every milestone – standing, walking, talking – she’s taken each at her own pace. And so I say she’s has stayed our baby just a little longer because she has been in no rush to grow up. And so sometimes we forget just how much she is growing up.

And so these pictures from her birthday must be shared as proof to myself that these moments are fleeting and oh so cherishable.

Awaiting the birthday breakfast by Daddy.

Candles with breakfast are a must.

So worth the wait…Daddy is good to us.

Followed by a rainy trip to the zoo.

Feeding duckies – Sarah’s favourite.

Despite how many times she’d already seen her birthday sweater blocking she was still full of excitement over it (be still my beating heart).

No, she’s not disappointed that her sweater is two sizes too big. It’s her favourite silly game – “Sad face…”

“…Happy face!”

You’re not noticing all the clutter in background around that happy girl are you? Of course not.

She also had some special gifts to open from her sweet, sweet siblings.

Daddy lights the candles on the yellow girl’s yellow cake.

Turning four is a beautiful thing. Bittersweet for a mama’s heart perhaps, but so much fun.

A little late publishing these sentiments but I’m finally getting these thoughts written which have been on my mind so much these last few days.

Although I fell in love with you more than eight years ago, it was eight years ago that I first held you in my arms. Eight years ago that I became a mother and you made that role easy to embrace. Those eight years have passed in a heartbeat but I remember so clearly those first moments, minutes and days.

And as I feel this younger sibling of yours awaiting his or her moment to be held, I reflect often on those moments eight years ago. I marvel at how our family has grown, how these years have past, how we’ve survived the moments of joy and the moments of sorrow that have accompanied them.

As I’ve watched you grow over these eight years, I feel as though you’ve watched me grow as well. Wisdom, maturity, humility and faith are areas we’ve both grown in over these years. You’ve taught me at least as often as I’ve taught you. You’ve challenged me, stretched me and pushed me to better, for which I’ll always be grateful.

The wisdom and knowledge that you have at eight never ceases to astound me. The faith and trust that are so naturally woven into your choices encourage me endlessly. Your beauty and confidence fill me with courage.

You are determined, strong, generous and kind. You give gifts from your heart without fear or hesitation. You are a natural leader. You dream in colour and love to laugh.

I’m so thankful for these eight years. Thankful you have shared so much of yourself, thankful you have made a mother of me, thankful you have brought so much richness to this family of ours.

Much joy, discovery and love to you, Elizabeth, as you begin your ninth year. We look forward to all it holds.

I feel like these days I have a lot of pictures but not a lot of words. We are having such a wonderful time here. Relaxing (some of us, ahem, more than others), enjoying and exploring. I’ve been so blessed by the extra rest this time is offering me. My body feels so much better than it did when we first arrived, my mind has more opportunity to daydream about the little jumping bean we are all so anticipating and I’m so thankful for the opportunity to finish a small task and then sit down without the thoughts of a houseful of other tasks to complete first.

The kids are having the time of their lives, waking Grandma and Grandpa earlier each day in anticipation of the day’s events and going strong from dawn til dusk.

Tomorrow is a special day for a very special oldest sister. Birthday preparations have been happening all week and I almost have her birthday sweater ready…it may be missing its buttons and blocking but I’ll get the last button band finished tonight. She helped me make her cake today – her request was a vanilla cake with brown sugar fudge icing. It sort of makes my teeth crawl to think of all that sweet but we’re going to serve it with whipped cream and hope that softens the sugar blow.

We have a few other hopeful plans for the rest of the week- counting on the rain to stop first. There is a favourite dairy farm (with some milking for willing hands), strawberries that have just come ripe for picking at a local u-pick (hooray!!), a trip to visit the falls and a little more beach time.

Here’s a bit of how we’ve been spending our days…

trips around the house

baking with lemons and bananas in a kitchen so much roomier than mine at home

reconnecting with an old friend

building modern engineering marvels

hanging diapers to dry in the sun(!!!)

enjoying some familiar flavours

and some grandma and grandpa treats.

Oh yes, they have been special days.

In case you missed this post, the Jay family is on vacation.

We left our city home in the good hands of a friend and travelled west to the coast, half of the grandparents and salty air.

The 15-hour trip from door to door was absolutely wonderful. These little people of ours stunned us once again with their incredible travelling skills. Snacks, books, sketch pads and music kept everyone busy and we only answered the question, “Are we almost at the ferry?” about every 20 minutes.

It doesn’t hurt to have a few “vacation only” snacks packed to keep little fingers busy.

We even saw some wildlife…not including the flying fish.

Any guesses which child I had the best view of during our day?

After nearly twelve hours, thousands of snacks, one listen to The Best of ABBA *shudder*, three naps, one diaper blow-out and three potty stops we boarded a ferry to the Island.

The ferry trip is by far a kid-favourite – and thanks to the three naps the journey was raised immeasurably in Mommy and Daddy’s opinions.

We were on the ocean – floating as Sarah kept reminding us while she remembered this previous lesson.

As I savoured the view these clowns ran off some of that pent up energy.

I just adore these little people. And family vacations. And the ocean.

And I love how they all feel like home.