Our beautiful creation

Our little boy turned 3 today. What a beautiful day, the day this beautiful gift of Toby was given to us. We are so grateful, so happy and so in awe of his beautiful, energetic way of being.

Here he is enjoying his massive set of duplo (bought from some big boys who had just grown out of it) which he is just loving.

 And another picture of him being Dr. Toby, cheking us out and saying "yes you are allllright"! I made him a cake of lots of little fairy cakes topped with rice paper images of his beloved Mr Men and Little Misses - happy days!

On the eve and day of my children's birth I can't but help thinking of what was happening during the journey of labour and birth with each. I am very very fortunate to have had great experiences of childbirth (even though Isabella's took 2 days!). I remember the process with a deep and warm attachment (am I odd?!) and can honestly say that I have never felt so alive as the moments when I was giving birth to my children. With little Toby, I have the added joy of being in the place where he came into the world, as he was born at home in water - just the most beautiful experience. I am not sure I can easily sell this home for that reason - I would need to carve an "x marks the spot" in the flooring!

The other thing I do on the evening before their birthdays is write a letter to the birthday boy or girl, telling them my feelings about them, my memories of their year and what I love about them. Its something I did spontaneously the night before Isabella's first birthday just becaues I was so moved by the anniversary of that special day and wanted so much to mark my feelings of  her first year - and it kind of just stuck and has become a tradition. I imagine giving them this bundle when they are old enough to read them well...so they have a record of themselves, their little ways, what was cute about them and how I felt and feel.

What are your ways of honouring birthdays and the presence of special people in your life?