Wednesday 28 August 2013

four

Oh Ilo, now you are four year old, wow. As Scott and I sit down to write you a little letter we reflect on the you that is blossoming and evolving. We love your vibrancy and delight, your wonderful and expansive imagination, the tales you tell with so much conviction, your humour and wonder as your vocabulary and understanding grows. As a three/ now four year old, you love to perform, to dance, to take on voices, faces, personalities and scenarios, you really don't miss a trick. You challenge us in ways we never thought possible as your spirit pushes through and we have to use all our parenting know-how, life experience and humour to help and support you as much as we can. But even now in these last few weeks we see this shifting, shifting to a space where your words are being used so much more, regardless of your frustration. I loved when we were talking about this you said matter-of-factly " Well, that's what happens when you grow up".
I love hearing you and Poe as you wake in the morning, side by side, continuing to confess love, plan the day or tell little stories (but not so fond of those rarer mornings that sound like a monster has been unleashed in the room and cannot escape). 
It amazes me when you wake some mornings with a song that you have written in your head, with the instruments you will use already planned. My favourite is the yet to be finished "And the water flows down the river, out in to the sea. I am thinking of you are you thinking of me", and the explanation as to how you came up with those lyrics and melody, is so considered and beautiful. Remembering a time when you have missed someone and explaining the beauty of the river and where it goes. 
Oh my beautiful little one, so full of zest, life, beauty, spirit and fire, so many wishes of four to you. 
We had a very little afternoon Panda party, it was a simple delight, easy, fun and small. A couple of games of musical chairs, statues, Sharma painting panda faces, playing find the panda and then everyone left with a four felt heart mobile, to share the love of four. 








The gifts Ilo received were so beautiful, I thought I might do a post on them separately, some really lovely and inspiring four year old gift ideas.

15 comments :

  1. oh this post brought tears to my eyes - what a beautiful celebration of such a beautiful person. Love you ALL so much (and miss you so!)

    xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  2. Oh Ilo Panda, you're gorgeous. Happiest day to you and you're tight-knit community of family and friends. You're growing up in a blessed village x

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  3. How Beautiful Ilo is and how wonderful your words are Jay. That child is one special child that makes me smile so much xx

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  4. Lovely lovely post and photos :)

    Was the heart shaped mobile a gift?

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  5. Thanks for all your beautiful messages and Jeni, the heart shaped mobiles were the gifts i made for Ilo to give to his friends. xx

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    1. They are stunning. Please please consider selling them in your online store???

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  6. Ilo you are a little treasure and delight, happy birthday beautiful being and to you Jay and Scott you are doing such an incredibly beautiful and inspiring job raising your boy who are open and warm supporting each of their individual personalities to blossom and unfold. A panda party - love it! Who came up with the theme? Are Panda's significant to Ilo? I just love the felt heart mobiles a whole world away from lolly bags!!! :) xxx

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    1. Hello darling, thanks for your beautiful message, wow. Ilo thought up the Panda theme, they are not especially significant but Poe has a well loved panda hand puppet that he has had since he was a baby, Ilo also loves the Panda puppet because quite frankly panda is hilarious and full of love. xxxx

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    2. What a great idea Jeni selling the mobiles in your store Jay or you could make kits to sell with all the materials and some instructions - a simple, beautiful gift idea for big and little people xx

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    3. Oh you two are gorgeous, hmm, will definitely think about it, i like the kit idea. xx

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    4. Here's me back to say I've not forgotten about this - and the kit idea is great :)

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  7. Panda theme rocked! What a gorgeous celebration with lots of love. Hip hip hooray for birthdays x

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  8. So very sweet! I like how sharma's eyes are closed in that last pic. And 4 year gift ideas, yes please!

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  9. Happy birthday to your boy! I'm on a study break and I've just spent a good half hour catching up on your story- your new camera is amazing, your new pictures are lovely ( I especially love the one a few posts back of the tree in the firelight: magic!). Gorgeous Jay!

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    1. Oh hello Nic, your'e back! I didn't realise and just popped over to your blog and realised i have missed a bit, will head over and properly catch up soon (just off to the beach now). Thank you for your kind words, it has been really fun learning this new camera and playing more with my photos, so much fun. xxx j

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