Harper at 2,190 days old

“It’s my birthday!” Harper announced in our bedroom at 2 AM.

Today Harper turns 6. And you gotta respect her enthusiasm for the day and for life in general. A month from now, I’ll be 36 (I’m Harper +30), and I’ll want to sleep in on my birthday

But I’m younger now than I was before she arrived.

I read children’s books about talking animals and magic. We’re also making our way through the Harry Potter series.

I color, still not very well. There is something really meditative about it.

We pick on Annie together.

We crack toot jokes more than we should.

We play hide and seek and tag.

We go on bike rides.

We giggle.

We sing duets from Frozen.

We have dance parties.

We play video games. About a year ago we started playing Lego Star Wars on PlayStation 2, our most up-to-date game system, which I’ve had since 2000. In 2000, I had time for games. But then I graduated college and started working, traveling, and writing. Although I wanted to play games, I didn’t. Games were for kids and I had things to do.

Harper got a Wii U for Christmas. Yesterday I went to the video game store to buy Lego Harry Potter and the clerk caught me up on 15 years of gaming technology and trends.

As Harper lives her childhood, I get to be a kid again.

Yet each year marks the passing of another 365 days of childhood. I can go from 0 to sappy in like a millisecond, but I don’t want to wish for her to freeze in time like some creepy Anne Rice baby vampire. Because watching her grow up is an amazing experience.

Yesterday, Harper’s brother Griffin, 3, fell asleep in Annie’s lap. Harper asked Annie if she could hold him while he slept. (Annie captured the moment in the picture above.) Harper has also started to put Griffin to bed on occasion. Griffin is a special little man who is going to need a big sister to look after him. He’s lucky to have Harper.

She keeps me young and she makes me look forward to watching her grow up.

 
15 comments
BethAnne says:

Ah, Kelsey. My heart, my heart!

Happy Birthday, Harper! You are one of the luckiest girls anywhere, born to amazing parents, big sister to a wonderfully special brother, but more than that, you are bright, funny, talented, and sweet. All the gifts you’ll ever need in this life came with you, and it has been wonderful to watch you grow to this huge age, to pray for you, to enjoy your milestones big and small. I hope today is at least as special as you are.

Kelsey says:

“All the gifts you’ll ever need in this life came with you.” I love that. Thanks!

Happy birthday, Harper! I’m so glad your daddy let’s us enjoy all of the stories and pictures of you and your brother. You’re an awesome girl who brings a lot of sunshine and happiness to world! Enjoy your big day!

Kelsey says:

Thanks, Joanne! I think like 3/4ths of my facebook posts are pics of the kids.

Rhonda Palmer says:

Dearest Ms. Harper on your 6th birthday. Have a great day today, eat some cake and dance a few crazy dances with your Mom and Dad. (Maybe you can teach them how to do the crazy dance you know how to do…) (They can probably teach you a crazy dance or two…) I’ll read some Fancy Nancy to my six year old grand daughter tonight and we’ll pretend we’re going to your Fancy Birthday party and we’ll run around singing for you. She is reading the first Harry Potter out loud to her mother every night. I hope you enjoy it as much as she does! Have a GREAT trip around the sun this year!!!!

Kelsey says:

Thanks for the Fancy Nancy birthday part, Rhonda. Harper had a great day and wore her birthday crown from school all evening. We’re struggling a bit with Harry Potter right now because Voldemort is pretty darn scary. Harper won’t even say his name. We might have to wait a bit to get into the later books.

Happy happy happiest 6th birthday, Harper. You will never know how many Happy Day Moments your life has given to your Dad & Mom, and to all those who who love and care about you because of what your Dad writes and the adorable, sweet, funny, whimsical pictures he takes of you. May this next year, and all your years, be filled with many moments of joy and happiness. You are a blessing to us all!

Kelsey says:

Well said, Jama!

Terri says:

Harper: You had my heart at the same moment your brother grabbed it. You are such a joy to all who know you and make everyone feel like it is their birthday when they get to see you because you make them sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo happy! I think I get to see you this Sunday! And that makes me soooooooooooooooooooo happy! Happy birthday, sweetie!
Kelsey: I am not going to read your blogs anymore, they always make me cry.

Kelsey says:

Terri, we love you! I tried not to get too sappy! If I get to sappy, Annie gets on me.

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