‘I made this for you, Mama.’
The gifts are endless – paper dolls, painstakingly coloured and cut out; a necklace she beaded herself; cuddles, cups of tea, a drawing of the sun and our family. Ivy loves to give, or so the popular book title goes, and we have found that to be inordinately true in our household.
Ivy has always been a warrior princess – adorned in swathes of elegant fabric, while wielding a sword in her right hand. She is rainbows and wildfire, sunrise and tempest.
We are incredibly lucky to have her.
In a family where males are the majority, it would be easy to imagine a daughter getting lost in the mix. And yet, she has always stood her ground, held her brothers’ gazes and dared them to override her. Hell hath no fury like an Ivy scorned, and her shriek has resounded throughout the backyard on many an occasion.
This year has been significant in many ways, with Hudson heading off to school, the focus shifted to Ivy and her journey. She began three-year-old Kinder and a day a week at a local childcare centre and thrived in both spaces – making many friends and delighting in sharing stories with her teachers. Ivy commenced ballet and got the chance to perform in her first ever concert – a day that she often speaks of with fondness, recalling her bravery being onstage in front of a large crowd. Getting her ears pierced was a big highlight as well.
After noticing a distinct turn in her right eye, we took her to the optometrist and found out that the problem was neurological and required some brain re-training so that the ‘feed’ from that eye wasn’t completely tuned out. She commenced vision therapy in September and we have already noticed a dramatic improvement.
Ivy and Harvey’s relationship really developed and it was so lovely watching them learn how to play together – doggies, Mums & Dads, restaurants, teachers and superheroes. We visited the library weekly – restocking our book supply and taking the opportunity to play with the costume collection there. Somehow the year flew by, as we churned through the weekly routine over and over again.
There were tantrums and meltdowns, tears and pouts. Costume changes numbering in the double digits some days. Bedtime shenanigans and dragged feet over nightly homework for vision therapy. Yet these moments were fleeting – drowned out by the constant dance performances on the rug, the heartfelt renditions of ‘Speechless’ (from Aladdin), and the earnest questions each night before bed.
This year Ivy passionately requested a party, cycling through a myriad of theme ideas before settling on her favourite – a Flower Party. We set about collecting blossoms – in op shops, at Ikea and even some real ones at Bunnings. Ivy is nothing if not sure of what she wants, so her present list was very precise (and extensive), which helped somewhat because I always get a little carried away when I go shopping for her!
The week leading up to the party was exciting indeed. Dave went back to work on the Monday and I was a little apprehensive about how the planning would go when I had to solo the four, but it turns out having a shared goal is priceless. We hit the shops, baked and prepped, decorated and imagined together. It made the time steal by and before we knew it, the day had come.
We went with a brunch theme with floral notes – making white-chocolate covered pretzels with smarties, an elaborate fruit platter, hundreds & thousands cupcakes, apple rosette pastries, gibanica (serbian cheese pastry), french toast casserole, dips & veggie platter and some brunchy pizzas (prosciutto & caramelised onion, sausage & egg, and ham & cheese). Ivy’s cousin, Mikaela, laboured over the most exquisite floral handmade chocolates. The cake was a pink hombre semi-naked one (lemon with jam & cream cheese icing) decorated with roses from Grandma & Grandpa’s garden.
It is such a blessing to have a family who loves and cherishes you. Ivy adores her cousins and relished the chance to spend time with them as we all lingered into the afternoon together.
It’s hard to believe Ivy is five years old, but it is so nice to catch a glimpse of the amazing woman that she is becoming. And, while her presents continue to delight us, her presence truly is the greatest gift we could ever ask for.
…
Dear Ivy,
When I look at you I see sunlight and rainbows, fairy dust and creativity. You were born to create – drawings, paintings, books, games, songs and dance moves. I am amazed by your industrious nature – how you quietly work away at a whole stack of drawings then tuck them into envelopes to give away.
There is fire in your bones, too, my dear one. A fierce flame that will not be quenched. It radiates out of you as passion, sparking into being in a whoosh of fury. We welcome your heat and know you will learn how to channel it – stoking the flicker into a furnace that will one day launch you into this tumultuous world. You are formidable and lovely. Brilliant and unstoppable.
Your kindness is an aura of refracted light. It follows you and stretches out before you. I see it in the way you reach out and make friends, making sure everyone is getting along. How you invite those you hardly know to come over to your house. It lives in your wonderful smile, your sparkling eyes.
I wait in anticipation to see who you will become. To witness the gift that you have for the world in full flight. I can imagine you soaring and dancing, crafting and imagining, spreading your light among many.
We are so blessed to know you, Ivy. You make us laugh and think at the same time. I love hearing your questions about the world. You notice so much and reflect on it with such wisdom. Honest and cheeky, thoughtful and devious – we appreciate all the parts that make up who you are.
Love always,
Mum
