Ladies Who Lunch

We had a big birthday here this weekend. Kelli turned six.  Like all mothers I wonder at how quickly the years are flying by, it truly seems like only moments ago she was a beautiful pink bundle in my arms.

Six is big for my girls.  When they are six they are old enough for their own real Biddy Baby (Kelli received hers a little early at Christmas) and they able to have a special birthday "ladies luncheon" with mommy.

This year our ladies day included a mall trip to spend the money so generously given by grandma. Kelli graciously included her older sisters in her day so we had a pleasant morning traipsing through the mall window shopping and trying on shoes. We even visited the pet store where I was beseiged by requests to by a sweet little dwarf rabbit all black with a white stripe down his nose (maybe for Easter).

Our ladies lunch was informal and fun. There were colorful drinks and ice cream desserts. Nutrition is tossed to the wind on ladies lunch days.  We talked and talked and talked. We admired our purchases; a new Vera Bradley for me, some fairy dolls for Kelli, some hair doo-dads for Erin and Katie.

I am hoping as the girls get older our lunches will become more formal, in a nicer restaurant and all dressed up, but either way I am so grateful for this time with them. Six years passed so quickly and while I enjoy each girl at each stage, it will be sad when this time is over and they are off to college or starting families of their own. I want them to look back on their birthday lunches warmly, fondly and know that each time I celebrated another year passing it was with great pride in the women they were becoming. I am blessed with four girls, all different in temperment and ability but all beautiful, inspiring and loving girls. These are the women whom I was privileged to, with the grace of God, bring into the world and these are the women who will, hopefully, see me out of the world. When that happens I want their memories of me to overcome their grief. I want them to share these stories with their girls and I want them to form their own traditions with their children and look back upon ours with love.