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?
happy birthday toby! What a beautiful, beautiful way to celebrate your children by writing these letters . . .feel a bit sad that I have not done this and also, can't easily answer your question. feel like I muddle through a lot of the time . . . . I may try this now though 🙂
Lovely cakes too!
Amelia.x
Complimenti e tanti auguri. Just stopped by your blog. I share your ideas on writing letters !
Your little boy is adorable. Happy 3rd Birthday! That is so great that you write letters on their birthdays… I have been doing that myself with the exact same sentiment behind it. I enjoy it so much and can't wait for that "someday" of reading them together!
Concetta, what a beautiful and deeply meaningful tradition of writing birthday letters you've created! That'll be such a treasure for them!!!!
Happy birthday, Toby! I love your letter writing idea and might just start a tradition here. I know at least I'd love to have something like that from my own parents. Your children will be so happy to receive that bundle one day.
Dear Concetta, looks like you and your family had a great celebration. Happy birthday toby! He is such a cutie pie! I really LOVE your idea of writting a letter on the eve of the little one's birthday! Such a wonderful traditiona. So happy to have found your lovely very inspiring space here! Have a lovely merry happy sunday and love to you and yours!
What a lovely way of honouring your children's birthday. We haven't done anything of the sort. But I love it. Shame I have missed the first two, but starting at 3 maybe aint so bad…. Great to meet another Brit doing the flying lessons!! x Moyra from Brighton…
hi concetta,
found your blog through kelly rae's e-course. beautiful mosaics, i really like the cheeky rooster! beautiful. i tried mosaic years ago and just didn't have the patience for it. great work.
looking forward to class.
Concetta!
Just came over from Kelly Rae's class to check out your blog. Your mosaics ar beautiful!
Happy Birthday to your little guy, he's lucky to have such a loving mother. My kids love to hear the story of the day they were born so I tell them every year on their birthday. I like the letter idea, I might try that. Best wishes to you and I hope to get to know you in class. 🙂
?Jenny