In two weeks Piper will turn 5. It feels very big. Yesterday I was pregnant with her. Today she walked in to her room, took off her pajamas, put them in the dirty laundry, dressed herself, and brushed her own teeth. How did that happen? Piper’s birthday wish list seems to be growing by the minute. She’s gotten the idea that your birthday is a magical moment where all of your dreams come true. Here are a few of my marching orders:

1. A turtle birthday party (whatever that means)

2. A breakfast picnic at the park (this I can do) with water balloons (for sure)

3. All of the American Girls (not a chance)

4. A drum set (Lord, help us all)

5. A beach ball for every single friend at her party (a definite yes)

6. Vegan muffins for her playmates with dairy allergies (works perfect for the breakfast picnic)

7. Every single cheap plastic toy at Toys R Us (umm…no)

8. An all-expense paid trip to Build-A-Bear (not likely)

9. A tambourine (to got with the drums, of course)

10. Bongos (I’m sensing a theme)

There will be a breakfast picnic party at the park across the street from our house. It will be simple and fun. We’ll throw water balloons at each other. We’ll eat muffins and watermelon. We’ll toss around beach balls because beach balls make everything fun. The kids will play. Piper will feel special. It’s enough. There will be presents, a few anyway, and there will probably be a very noisy, musical house afterwards. I’m ordering multiple sets of ear plugs right now. You might want to, too.