birthday weekend:: dear lilah

It was my birthday on Friday! I had the best day. My mom, two of my three sisters, and Henry and Oliver came over for lunch, shopping and cupcakes. It was so much fun, but we missed my oldest sister Gretel and her loot in Nebraska. On Friday evening Gretel sent me the sweetest message from my 4 year old niece Lilah, which totally made my day/me cry. Below is her darling birthday greeting, followed by a little letter back to her: 


Happy Birthday, Auntie Mia!
I miss you and can't wait till we go out to have cupcakes together. I love you. What did you do on your birthday today? What did you get for your presents? Did you get new dishes or silverware for your kitchen? Why do you live in an apartment building?
Love,
Lilah.

. . . 

Dear Lilah,
Thank you for the birthday message! I loved it. You asked some pretty good questions! I hope I can answer all of them. On Friday Grandma, Auntie Liesl, Auntie Liz, and Henry and Oliver came to my apartment for lunch. We had pasta salad and potato chips. Then we walked to a cupcake shop and each had a cupcake. I got a chocolate peanut butter cupcake. We missed you the whole time!
When Uncle Ryan got home from work we got all dressed up and went to a little French restaurant. Uncle Ryan ordered bacon-wrapped meatloaf and mashed potatoes, and I ordered half a chicken! And I ate the whole thing! Then we ordered chocolate mousse for dessert and ate all of that too! It was GOOD.
I got some pretty cool presents, too. Grandma and the aunties gave me money for a new sewing machine. I can't wait to pick one out! Uncle Ryan gave me a soft grey bathrobe, and on Saturday we went to the store to buy brand new bikes. I didn't get any new silverware or dishes, but that's okay because I don't have any room left in my kitchen cupboards for new stuff.
The best part about my birthday was that we celebrated all weekend long! We went on lots of bike rides and had a picnic by the lake on Sunday. We also spotted some spring flowers coming up! Are flowers growing in Nebraska yet?
To answer your last question, we live in an apartment building because we don't need much room right now. Hopefully someday soon we can move to a big house and fill it up with lots of girl cousins for you to play with! Whaddya think about that?
I bet it's time for baths at your house right now. Give your brothers a big kiss for me okay? Your momma and daddy, too! And come visit me soon! We love you, Lilah Grace.
Love,
Auntie Mia

. . . 

PS::

This is my Lilah Grace.

The girl's a cream puff.

pps::

yes, I did wear my hair the same way all weekend long.

we're in the growing out phase.

don't worry about it.