Six years. Like all parents, I’m constantly surprised by the years ticking by. Ouest is a big girl. She’s tall, she’s smart, she’s sweet. At six I think she is still more innocent than any child her age I’ve ever known. Today she came up to me looking upset.
“Tango (the campground cat that has adopted us) brought us a present.”
Uh-oh. I knew where this was going.
“Oh, honey, what did she bring us?”
That was all it took. Tears started to drip down her cheeks, and she couldn’t get the words out.
Finally, “A m-m-m-mouse.”
I wrapped her up in my arms and told her that is just what cats do.
“I don’t like animals dying. I don’t like dead animals. I just don’t like it,” she sobbed.
It took a few minutes, and I had to deal with Lowe walking around the corner with the large dead mouse in a bucket, but we finally settled things down.
She’s sweet, and caring, and innocent. She’s also frustrating, and stubborn at times. But she’s not any one thing, she’s everything—she’s wonderful.
Happy birthday, Ouest.
edit: Later on in the afternoon Ali told me there was more to this story.
Ali and I both told Ouest that this is just what cats do. That they want to bring you some food because you’ve been giving them food. It’s their way of paying you back.
So Ouest goes up to the cat and says, “Thank-you for the gift, but we have plenty of rats in our pantry. You don’t need to bring us any more. Thank-you, though. Thank-you, Tango. Okay?”
For the record, we do not have rats in our pantry.
21 Comments on “Six Years Old”
You are truly living the dream. Keep it up! You deserve everything you have, they are all a result of your good decisions and sense of adventure. I am extremely jealous. Enjoy the Holidays!
Happy Birthday Ouest! I’m so glad you got to ride the ponies! The shot with Grandma in the midst of balloons is brilliant! Thanks for sharing!
What a dream birthday for a six year old!! Balloons, horses, the beach and barefoot in December!! Sounds like you may have a budding vegetarian on your hands, similar to a friend of mine here on Maui with a daughter that looks surprisingly like Ouest. She’s been a vegetarian since five of her own volition. Once again, Hau’oli la Hanau, Ouest!! 😀
feliz cumpleaños Ouest! Usted es una mujer joven y bella!
Happy birthday Ouest! You are living an amazing childhood, and I predict an even more amazing future for you. You are going to do great things, I just know it.
Not sure if you’ve ever mentioned this. Is Ouest starting homeschooling courses yet?
Surprise . . . we’re going for a horseback ride on the beach for your birthday! Sweet, sweet, sweet. All the photos are spectacular. HAPPY BIRTHDAY OUEST!
Happy Birthday Ouesterly! I know your Birthday was super special cuz Mommy,Daddy, Lowe, and Grammy love you up to the moon and back.
Love
Magic
Wonderful pictures. What a great day. Happy Birthday Ouest!
Feliz cumpleanos Ouest.
Happy Birthday Ouest, what a wonderful way to celebrate the big 6! Kitty has adopted you and having brought you the mouse is the highest honor/gift a kitty will give you.
Happy Birthday!!
Spectacular photos as always. We need to see a pic of Pat on horseback! Did it really happen?
We only got three horses because we weren’t sure if the kids would be all right on their own. They were. Halfway through we asked Lowe if he would let Ali ride with him. Umm, nope. Ali and I were left to speed walk alongside.
Epic Birthday 🙂
Happy Birthday, Ouest! We share the same birthday and I feel the same way about animals that you do. And yes, I’m a vegetarian!
What a beautiful post. Happy Birthday Ouest, your a very sweet and precious
Little girl. You seem to be blessed with a great daddy too, any girl needs her dad
When she is upset or hurt, and to be wrapped in daddies arms is truly a blessing.!.
Trey.
Happy birthday princess Ouest! What a party! And a bus full of balloons. Awesome pictures again. Riding the ponies reminds me of my childhood in Venezuela… We used to holiday in Timotes, up in the mountains just south east of lake Maracaibo.
Happy birthday Ouest! You do look like a princess! Your granny sure is a lot of fun!! Looks like you all had a blast riding ponies for your birthday! Happy birthday 6 year old 🙂
I’m surprised Ouest didn’t want to wear her cowgirl boots while riding?
Happy Birthday, Ouest. What a wonderful day you had! So nice that Grammy was able to celebrate with you. I have a kitty, too. Mr. Stripes is 17, but his birthday is in July. It’s such fun to watch you grow. I’m excited to see where the next few years take you, Lowe, and those wonderful parents! Keep on having fun, be curious and loving.
Pat, I haven’t looked at the blog for a few days and it brought tears to my eyes, what more does a child need? Two parents that adore her, cupcakes, balloons(always a hit) , horses on one of the most beautiful beaches, makes me feel sad for the little 6 yr. old opening up their new I pad, throwing it aside waiting for the next gift, Ouest appreciates everything she gets,getting to ride horses on the beach,a dream come true.
You all make my heart feel good!
Merry Christmas from Seattle, can’t wait ’till we see the troll again!
Love you all!