Four years on...

After a few days acclimating to our Spanish schedule, we woke up to Elisa's birthday and all the glory that is celebrating her abroad. Somehow it feels more joyous to share this special day with family who don't get to see her very often. And she was definitely ready. I think she thought each day here was her birthday already, so when it finally arrived she was elated.  We started with swimming, a lunch of canelones, a nice siesta and then more swimming.   Something finally clicked in her about using the floaties, and she let herself jump into the water and swim. It was amazing to watch as she went from sitting on the steps or being carried around the pool to launching herself into the water and kicking her way all around. She was fearless and so happy to be on her own.  As a mom, I have always wanted Elisa to grow to be independent and willing to try new things.  It's not easy stepping back sometimes to allow this to happen, but when I have, I've often been rewarded with a new perspective on my oldest daughter. After all, she is her own person, and she has forged a path that only she could have chosen.  And that was kind of how the day went.  I watched Elisa doing something new and loving it which made my heart so happy.  So many times with this girl there is drama where there should be none.  The agony and the ecstasy of her personality can really wear me down.  But not that day. She was her best self and the whole day was a celebration of her spirit which is exactly what I would wish for her every year.  

Even at lunch she ate everything we did and sat in her new dress basking in her birthday glow.  After a little rest and more swimming, we hosted all of Nacho's family for dinner and cake.  Summertime in Spain means all of us hanging out around the house in Encinar and that was just how we enjoyed this special day. Her cousins playing with her and helping her open gifts was even better.  And the family really showered her with presents and love.  You could see in her face that she was the star at the center of attention and that she was so pleased to play that role.  After we put Carolina to bed around 10:30pm, we enjoyed cake and a champagne toast.  The night was almost coming to an end and someone suggested an impromptu midnight swim to mark the occasion. Elisa was more than ready and followed her cousin Sara into the pool counting and jumping in together several times in a row. It was a spectacular night.  Of course we can't always celebrate this way, but this year was special.  After missing out on last summer's bounty of swimming and eating in Encinar, we are back with a vengeance. Elisa turning four was just the icing on the cake.