Happy 5th Birthday Clara

Getting ready for Clara Joy's birthday this year felt like Christmas to me, even though it was a very low key and simple celebration. Holidays always sting a little bit when your autistic child doesn't understand what's going on, but birthdays sting just a bit more because there is nothing more in the world you want than for your child to realize they get a special day meant just for them. And Clara has never understood what a birthday is. And why there is cake and gifts. Or what aging is. Or why you ask how old she is, or why she repeats the number you tell her to say. Don't get me wrong, seeing her happy always fills my cup, but seeing her brain connect to the concepts around her overflows it. 

This year she seemed to understand a little bit more about what a birthdays, what to expect and that she would be five years old. Clara usually fights bed time, but when I explained that she would wake up to presents and cake, she gladly ran off and tucked herself into bed. What a thing to witness. Five years ago she entered our lives and have been blessed by her innocence and heart of gold. She is a key part to our family, and we love her. I am so grateful we got another successful year together and get to witness her being the magnificent little human she is.

Ready to for the birthday girl!

Ready to open gifts!

Wearing her new Rainbow Dash coat while showing off her stick on earrings. 

We gifted her a Baby Alive doll. You feed it little play dough food and it "poops" it out. She loves it.

Learning how to feed baby she named Louie.

Tyler took over the Minnie headband.

We had to cancel the birthday party we had planned with the Rivas' bc Tyler and I am very sick. They wanted to stop by on her actual birthday and drop off her gift, and showed up with cupcakes and candles! She loved that they sang to her and felt so special. Nothing makes my momma heart swell more than seeing others make time and love my kids. I was grateful for them.

Wahoo!

Every single child snuck a cupcake.


My parents stopped by later to drop off gifts. My mom was nice and brought her mask to wear just in case and I did too since I wasn't feeling well. We stayed outside and enjoyed watching Clara open cards and presents from my sister and her kids and then from my parents. She was so happy to have them there.

First opening cards! They were so cute and had sweet messages.

A Dr kit! Clara had been asking for one and jumped right into playing Dr!

Leave it to my dad to start walking around and doing yard work while we chat. He pulled up tons of weeds.

Doctor Clara ready for duty!

After they left we sang to her, gave more hugs and kisses and then tucked her into bed with her doll and said prayers. I always get a little weepy when my kids get get a year older, and this year I am so grateful for this girl and the progress she has made and the part the plays in our lives.

Here are FIVE things about Clara:

1. She loves soda and chocolate milk. 2. She currently likes the colors blue, black and white. 3. She cries for her brothers when they get in trouble. 4. She loves my oatmeal with cinnamon, milk, honey and flax seeds. 5. She still loves physical play, like being spun around and thrown into the bean bag and tag. 6. She always eats Erwin's food. Like, always. He will cook something, she will find him, take his plate and walk away with it. 7. She absolutely hates to clean up. 8. She loves to swim. 9. She is currently into all things "boy". 10. She loves to sing Daniel Tiger songs to help her calm down or go about her day.

okay, so that was 10 things, but I couldn't stop. :)