Visiting Papa in Seattle

Months passed and your birthday did not arrive. Listening to you talk about it changed from adorable to sad. You've been waking up singing "happy birthday to Zoe," asking "is it my birthday?" and talking about cakes. I said "not yet," "soon," and tried to explain the right date through references to moon's cycles, since you are familiar with the concept. Just so you knew I wasn't giving false hope, I described the things we would do on your birthday. A big round cake with candles, balloons, boxes wrapped in colorful papers with surprise gifts inside, and the "happy birthday to Zoe" song - things you witnessed in books and through friends' birthdays.  But the disappointment in your eyes got deeper each day it was not your birthday. Your agony was a consequence of your intelligence. Most kids your age don't know birthdays. Your awareness turned this waiting into a demoralizing experience, and I decided to end it.

We bought tickets to visit papa in Seattle two weeks before your birthday. What better time to celebrate, with papa present, and only two weeks away from the real date? Plans were made, gifts researched, bought, wrapped, hid away. As time approached, excitement rose. Papa's text messages poured in, impatient to see us. Papa researched all things to do to make our visit fun. Zoo, aquarium, the Tutankhamen exhibit... We refined details of your birthday party, taking into account the time difference, meals and nap time so you make the most of it without interference of physical needs. 

Close to midnight, on June 28, you were bouncing in papa's arms at the Seattle airport, smelling the bouquet of flowers he handed to me. The next day, we bought balloons and a lemon birthday cake, insisting that the unwilling baker add extra flowers and butterflies, and secretly brought it all to papa's tiny residence. When you woke up from your nap, the scene was ready!

That big box contains many boxes of nicely wrapped gifts. And don't miss the ones under the coffee table.

Your pretty cake:

Blowing the candles:

The rest of our trip was awesome too. Seattle's friendly weather - yes, coming from Texas... - and European civic sense allowed us to enjoy the streets and parks on foot. We experienced the beauty nature could offer, without mosquitoes or heat.

At the zoo:

At the aquarium, avoiding to touch the sea creatures:

They still gave you a whale face paint:

At the park, being chased by papa:

On a tree, monkeying with mommy:

The three of us shared the big bed each night and were all very sad to separate when departure day came. The morning after, while taking a bath, you asked about papa. I told you that he will come to see you very soon.

Love,
Mommy.