The Smiths: Our Little Mermaid

Lydia is four. And as she says, she just keeps growing up. Lydia has been my chatterbox, opinionated, delightful, always dancing, always talking, dress-up queen little buddy all year while the older kids have been at school and I am completely enchanted by her. It breaks my heart that she is four already! We celebrated her birthday in true mermaid style again this year. Because, in case you don't know, Lydia absolutely and whole-heartedly lives by this motto:

She requested a mermaid cake again this year - purple and blue, her favorite colors. I did my best with it, but drawing with frosting is a lot harder than it looks. Everyone thought I meant to make it look like one of Lydia's mermaid drawings, with the swoopy hair and stick-straight eyelashes. But no, that's just my skill level when it comes to frosting. Lydia loved it. And it tasted delicious.

Here are a few pictures from the day. I love these two sisters who act more like twins now and are best friends.

Look how long Lydia's hair is getting! She truly is a mermaid!

Here she is wearing her new mermaid shirt.

We had a party at the McKay's house where we shared the cake.

At home Lydia opened presents.

She got lots of mermaid dolls, books, and clothes. I had no idea there was such a market out there!

Her favorite was this reusable sticker set from grandma. She carries it everywhere and she and Eliza spend hours dressing, moving, and "talking" the mermaids from scene to scene.

Clayton's present was awesome! He programmed a mermaid game on the computer for Lydia using one of her own mermaid drawings.

You use the mouse to move the mermaid through a series of rocks, fish, and obstacles while being chased by a hungry shark. It's pretty hilarious and the kids played it forever. Way to go, Clayton! This gift took a lot of time and skill to make. Lydia is so loved.