Is Our Little Girl Really Getting So Big?

My labor and delivery nurse with Aine said something so simultaneously profound and cliche that it bears repeating for its truth more than the guffaws it might elicit (bring 'em on):  "The days are long but the years are short."  And that they are.  And here we are:  Aine is 3 1/2, whip-smart, beautiful, intense, full of life ...

She recently got her shot at a couple of school activities that, until now, she's had to sit back and {mostly} graciously watch Big-Sister embrace and master.

Here she is, doing the same ...

Aine and Piu-Piu -- the "Year 3" Mascot:

 What a bunch of sweethearts!

 Look at those camels, Piu-Piu.

 We liked the elephants too.

 And picnic lunch, yummers!

 Breakfast before heading off to school again the next day!

Bye-bye, Piu-Piu : (.  Mommy is both happy and forlorn.

Aine and the travelling story:

 Her final picture of the "main idea" of the story!  She summed it up well -- wow!

 Self written name on the back.

 Book cover:  Mimi, The Little Witch.

 Mimi has her first day at witch school...

 Learns and practices a sleeping spell (after being put to sleep the students put their teacher to sleep) ...

 Then, Mimi goes off and practices on a little baby.  Well done, Mimi!

 Well done, Aine!

This little girl wears her heart on her sleeve.  Don't you feel happy just looking at her?!?

We love you, Maevers.

And love to all of you from us ... from afar,

Los Stuhan

More: Aoife's 5

There's the really beautiful, wonderful thing families do here, not everywhere, but at our school and many other places.  They share birthday parties.

We celebrated a wonderful birthday party for six this past Sunday in the park.  The kids play and play and play and the adults socialize, snack, and drink beer.  What could be better?  Oh, plus there's cake. 

Needless to say, we are looking forward to Aine's 4 sometime around the end of the year -- possibly as a combined back to school bash (?).

Here are the pics:

 Let's get dirty (sand, water, and kids -- what else is there to do?)!

 Aine and her buddy, Marc. 

 Milkshake, anyone?

Aoife's buddy, Alex, Marc's big-bro -- and, according to Aoife and Alex, our likely, future son-in-law.

Time for cake.  There were six.  We ang to each child and they each had their turn to be the center of attention and blow out their candles.

 Success!

 More chocolate-chocloate cake.  Good as it was I think we'll be taking a break for a little while.

 See, evidence of chocolate cake overdose.

Piñata time!

 Just pull and it rains down toys!

 Time for presents!

This game is awesome!  I don't know why I haven't see a version Stateside.

What a lovely day and what a great way to mark our big-girl's 5th birthday with her friends.