She’s growing up too fast and I’m blogging too slow.

Early this year my daughter celebrated her 9th birthday.

9.

I’m gonna let that sink in again for a bit.

9 beautiful years where my life has much more meaning than it ever did before she came into the picture. I am so lucky to have her. For real.

We didn’t have the usual play centre party this year. Figured we might as well save the $ and hold a belated Jollibee birthday party for her in the Philippines instead but that didn’t happen either so we’ll see how it goes down next year.

What we did have, though, was a little celebration here at home with family and friends. She made her own cute decorative cake toppers. Everyone sang Happy Birthday. Took group photos.

And then out came Zahid Safi.

As her birthday was around federal election time, we thought it would be funny to prank her with his poster we found on the side of the road, as she loved to call out — in a booming voice — ZAHID SAFI! LET’S GET AUSTRALIA BACK ON TRACK! in the car every time she saw one of his numerous campaign materials scattered all around the City of Casey.

It was hilarious!

She wasn’t happy about that.

She was happy about the presents she got, though — Pets Alive toys that she had been hinting at and then getting the exact ones she wanted.

I must admit I breathed a sigh of relief that she still had that innocence about her. That she wasn’t asking for skincare stuff or makeup. You know, the same exact things I’m into. We’ll get there when she’s older but for now, not yet. I want her to enjoy her childhood as much as she can, for as long as she can. The rest can wait.

*Raven at 9 years old