I woke up to find giant crocodile tears running down my pig-tailed, Maile’s cheeks on the morning of her 3rd birthday, “It’s not my birthday at all…” she sobbed.
This was my fault. I had decorated the house for her party the night before her birthday every year. She knew it was her birthday because she would wake up to streamers stretching across the room and all kinds of hanging things waiting to celebrate her big day.
The birthday she turned 3 I decided to take a break from the decorating and wait until the next day because I was exhausted and I knew I would have plenty of time the next day.
Maile was anticipating a party, but woke up to nothing. It was like waking up to Christmas to find that Santa didn’t come at all.
Of course I knelt down and swallowed that sad girl into my arms. She had a wonderful day and learned real quick that there is more to a birthday than decorations waiting for you first thing in the morning. However, that vision of her at the top of our stairs, looking so sad and disappointed is one of the many sorry mom fails I own.
This year we celebrated Maile’s party a little earlier to accommodate busy schedules and when the eve of her actual birthday came upon us a few days later I went to her room to say goodnight and she was all, “Do you think you might have a gift for me in the morning when I wake up?” And I was all, “aw shucks. I wish I did, but I don’t since we celebrated your birthday on Saturday.”
She sort of blinked and I thought about how I usually ALWAYS have one gift reserved for the actual day, but I was hoping now that she’s older it wouldn’t be missed. I was all, “Is that disappointing to you?” and she shrugged the question off but I spotted that disappointed pig tailed girl blinking away disappointment. I smiled my motherly goodnight smile and kissed her goodnight, but my brain was already in emergency overdrive. I would not disappoint that pig tailed girl again!
So I raced to Target and that’s how I became The Mom Who Shops At Target At 10pm The Night Before Her Daughter’s Birthday. She’s worth it of course…just look at her. My sweet pig-tailed-girl who would never in a million years allow me to put pig-tails in her hair again. I narrowly avoided another sorry mom fail.
The m&ms I bought were also worth it.
Happy 11th Birthday Maile!
For Maile:
Happy Fourth Birthday
Happy Fifth Birthday
Happy Sixth Birthday
Happy Seventh Birthday
Happy Eighth Birthday
Happy Ninth Birthday
Happy Tenth Birthday
Dominique Goh says
Happy 11th Birthday Maile. I’m sure she loves all the presents you got her.
Gigi says
Happy birthday to your precious girl.
Here’s my nugget of wisdom for the day – they NEVER get too old for the traditions you began when they were small. NEVER.
Mama Kat says
People really do need to be more careful about WHICH traditions they want to start and which will be a major pain to continue every year.
carol says
Oh happy heart to hear that you raced to Target to keep the tradition alive with your little girl! She will love you forever. Our kiddos really are and must be that important to us, no matter what. Great story! And happy birthday to Maile!
Tina says
What a beautiful girl! You’re a great mama, too. Running to Target wouldn’t have entered my mind!
Mama Kat says
I did search the house first to see if I had something unopened somewhere that I could give her…no luck.
Katherine says
And this is why we just don’t do traditions. I can’t live up to those kind of expectations. :)
Sat says
Very sweet tribute to your gorgeous girl. Happy birthday to her!
Kimberly says
Oh man…
Kids remember…
Every…
Thing…
And M&M’s make the world go round.
Betsy says
That is such a sad story. You are an awesome mom though!! You did a great job!
Astrid says
Wow, that’s another interpretation of the word “race” – I wrote my post on race as in skin color. Happy birthday to your little girl (who undoubtedly doesn’t want to be called a little girl now that she’s eleven). I’m glad you got her something at the last moment.
Lori says
Aww, what a good mom. Crocodile tears are hard to resist. She’s a cutie too!
madamdreamweaver says
Awwww.
Katherine G says
You are such an awesome mom! I’m sure she will always remember those special gifts. She will talk about them for the rest of Her life.
Abby says
Happy Birthday to your sweet worth-it girl!
Lisa @ The Meaning of Me says
Oh my goodness, now I’m crying the crocodile tears! So sad and so sweet! You are awesome for going to Target at 10PM. I would’ve. Or our 24-hour supermarket (thank God they sell stuffed animals there) or even WalMart (and I hate our WalMart). It’s very hard to say no to those blinky little teary eyes.
The most recent one for me was the night my little Kidzilla was crying in bed because she wants a baby sister or brother so bad and that is simply not possible. Can’t solve that one by Target…ugh.
Jessica says
She is just the cutest. I wouldn’t be able to disappoint that adorable face, either. Then again, I am a total sucker. It’s crazy what things they remember, eh? We definitely need to be careful about starting “traditions.” Happy Birthday to Maile! :)
MJ says
Happy birthday, Maile! She’s just the cutest. I’ve got an 11-year-old as well (well, okay, she’s only turning 11 in December) and I love how you have posts for each year of her birthday. I hoped I had done the same for my kid as well but alas, haven’t been consistent.