This year was probably the first that Mabel really understood that her birthday was coming and what that meant. In the days leading up to it, she asked over and over again how many times she had to go to sleep and wake up before it would be her birthday. She was so excited. She requested that her “Auntie Istra” be with us for her birthday, so I picked her up the day before for a sleepover. It was the first one in many months so all three girls were excited. When a package from Mimi arrived, wrapped in Minnie Mouse paper, Mabel asked me if she could open it. I told her she had to wait until her birthday the following day. She didn’t complain, just replied, “Otay,” and went about her business.
That night ended up being a late one, with Jonny heading upstairs to read to the boys well past nine o’clock. I told Mabel to head up with them because I needed to start wrapping her birthday gifts. She knew that she wasn’t supposed to see them. Larkspur, Beatrix, and Istra settled down on my bed to watch a bunny lady video, and I started pulling Mabel’s gifts out of my closet. I also brought out our “Summer” puzzle. I ended up sitting down to watch the video with the girls (fascinating stuff), but after a little while suggested that they head upstairs to bed. There wasn’t room to wrap gifts with the three of them in my bed and it was nearly ten o’clock. They reluctantly went upstairs and down the hall to the boys’ room to get Mabel. Only Mabel wasn’t there. And she also wasn’t in the girls’ room. They yelled down that they couldn’t find her. I looked under my bed, wondering if she’d been hiding out all along, though that wouldn’t be like her. I started to panic and then I completely panicked. Like, lost my mind. I yelled for Keats to start looking then ran to the basement to get Seth to help. I think Gabe must have been working in the garage. I raced up and down stairs screaming Mabel’s name. We were all shouting for her. I was sure that something terrible had happened. Silas started crying and collapsed on the floor. The thoughts going through my head were that she was either dead or kidnapped, but I kept that to myself. Mabel never wanders off. She wouldn’t have left the house alone at night, though Beatrix ran outside with a flashlight to check the area where they had been playing earlier, just in case. I learned later that while I was certain that the worst had happened, others were thinking more logically. She had probably fallen asleep somewhere. And sure enough, Lark finally found her asleep in a pile of coats on the floor of the coat closet outside my bedroom. According to Seth the entire search lasted about a minute. It seemed much longer to me. At least five minutes. Thankful and relieved and still a little out of my mind, I carried Mabel up to bed and then headed to the little boys’ room to say prayers. My legs were wobbly and I had a hard time not crying. I don’t know why I panicked as I did. I think it must be stress and also a history of accidental deaths of those I love: my stepmom, my friend Sarah. Maybe I’m just a person who always assumes the worst and panics. I don’t want to be.
The following morning Mabel told the girls that she had walked into my room the night before and saw the Summer puzzle. She thought that it was her birthday present and that I would be upset that she had seen it so she hid in the coat closet. I don’t know why she thought I would be that upset if she saw one of her gifts. I guess all the having to wait till her birthday for presents made her think that was extremely important.
Amongst her birthday presents were a doll baby from Mimi, a pile of books from me (because the library has been closed forever) and a mud pie kitchen from her daddy. And really this whole post would have been about her little kitchen had we not had that scare. Jonny has so much work to do, but each evening the week before Mabel’s birthday he snuck up the hill to his workshop to work on her mud pie kitchen. Mabel joined him once, oblivious to the fact that he was making something for her. She loves to make mud pies and I know that her little kitchen will be loved for many years.
p.s. Based on the number of times she’s asked me to read it, I’d say Mr. Scruff was her favorite of the books she received. But she also really loves Lola books and Uni the Unicorn. (affiliate links)
Emily says
I am also one who always assumes the worst, Ginny. And I wish I didn’t! I’m glad Mabel had a lovely 4th birthday.
Deanna says
I have the same way of thinking as you. Always thinking of the worst first when I cannot find someone, and that includes my older sister, parents, husband, everyone! Not a good way to be, but I sure can sympathize.
I love your posts, I feel as if I am part of the family. Thank you!!!!
Kerri A Warmus says
Your posts always make me happy and I’m so grateful that you share them. Used the goat milk soap today (purchased from your shop) and it was lovely. Our 11-year old son was “lost” the other day (in the side yard) and I completely panicked and went driving through the neighborhood crying and screaming. He is always, always sure to let us know where he is and I lived though about 10 minutes of insanity. Just sharing so you know you’re not alone. He was doing his chores, cleaning up dog poop in the side yard. I hugged him so hard for so long when he was “found”.
Kelli Ramey says
I am definitely team,” oh my goodness, that last photo.” It speaks a thousand words of love.
Your kids are so lucky to have the two of you.
And each other.
Happy Birthday Mabel!!!
Alicia P. says
Nothing like sheer terror to get a birthday party going. Agh. I would’ve done exactly as you.
Dawn says
Oh, Ginny, I felt that dread and panic to my toes as you described the moments that Mabel was missing. My 13 year old daughter scared the life out of me last winter. My husband had driven me to the city an hour away for a root canal, and she was home sick.
When we returned, she was not in her bed! Her brother, age 19, had been in charge of her, but was working and thought she was sleeping. We searched the house, and when she was NOT HERE, I felt the most cold dread and anguish I have ever experienced. We called her flip phone. No answer. We called the police, who began to look for her. I could not breathe. I called her phone again and again. She finally picked up, but did not speak, and I could hear trains, which meant she was somewhere in our little town. Then I was certain she had been kidnapped. Then…she finally called me again, just about the same time as the police officer drove up to her walking. The story? She had been dreaming of buying me a pair of gloves at a little store downtown. She thought that she would sneak out and walk downtown (despite being sick) and buy them with money she had saved, and would return to her bed before we arrived home. Nope! It was such poor decision making, we could scarcely believe it. She was grounded for a LONG TIME, no screen time, and we took the pair of plaid green gloves and put them away…they are still high on a shelf, and we have never spoke of them again. Maybe I’ll give them to her when she is an adult someday, or better yet, a mom! She ran such a high fever that night, as she has walked, already sick, in below zero wind chills on her mission. I have never been so terrified in my life as that stretch of time that she was missing.
Leah says
How can your Mabel baby be 4?! Wow! Oh man I’ve had a handful of those terrifying moments as a parent and wow you don’t forget it. So glad she was fine, and had a wonderful birthday!
Marilyn says
What a scare Mabel gave you. Glad everything turned out okay. When I lived in Brooklyn a little girl was missing. Sure enough she was asleep under her bed. Glad Mabel had a nice birthday. She will have a lot of fun with her kitchen mud pie. Wishing Mabel a year of fun,happiness and blessings.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MABEL
Marilyn
Marion says
Ginny what a scare Mabel gave you. I would have reacted the same as you. Happy that Mabel had a nice birthday.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MABEL Happiness and Blessings.
Joan says
So glad that Mabel was okay. I know how you panic and think the worse,I have that problem too. HAPPY 4th BIRTHDAY MABEL
Joan
Katherine says
THAT LAST PICTURE THOUGH….. how precious is that?
christi says
I was going to say the same thing! Definitely one to be framed : )
Leanne says
That panic feeling is the worst! So glad she was just sleeping in your closet. Happy birthday to your Mabel. I’ve enjoyed watching her grow up through your blog posts. And I LOVE her mud kitchen!!!!! It’s fantastic! You guys are raising awesome kids.
Deborah says
Oh, so scary. So glad she was peacefully sleeping.
The mud pie kitchen is absolutely adorable! What little girl wouldn’t love it?!
I love Lola books too!
May your week be happy and delightful!
Rita Moeller says
I well remember that panicky feeling. My derived from my feelings that I had been TOO blessed and so something bad was bound to happen. And like you, I have an imagination that goes into overdrive. As my Grandmother used to say: Alls well that ends well. How wonderful for Mabel, you and the family, to have a handy Daddy. Her little “mud-pie” kitchen is a memory she will always cherish. And you have caught the pleasure in your children’s eyes that show their great love for their littlest sister. Good photos!
Emily says
That mud pie kitchen is the BEST. 🙂 I remember when I got my first kitchen set for Christmas when I was three. So much delight!!! Mabel is just adorable!
Norma says
Oh Ginny, I would have reacted the same to that situation!
My eyes even got a little watery reading this…..a child missing for a minute or 5, the beautiful gift made by her loving father and the pic at the end of little Mabel in her daddies strong arms! What a blessing! Happy Birthday Mabel?
Kate says
I wonder if part of the panic cycle is caused by adrenal exhaustion. My body so quickly goes into high gear in stress that I’m sure that must be the cause. I don’t think any mama is easy going about her babies’ safety, but I didn’t used to have the complete body-taking-over-reason responses that I have now. Even if it only lasts for a few minutes, it wipes me out physically and emotionally.
I think it is precious to see that the older kids are eagerly waiting to see Mabel’s response to her mud kitchen. They look so happy for her. I’m sure that added to her birthday happiness.
Ginny says
Kate, I think you might be right about that.
GAYLE M DAVIS says
My heart melted at the sight of that mudpie kitchen!! What I would have given for one of those when I was a kid (69 years ago)!!! I LOVED to play pretend kitchen and make mudpies. I’m sure my mama didn’t like it near as much as I did!! I know Mabel will have hours and hours of fun playing in it. What a special daddy to make it for her!!!
Jill Ruskamp says
I’ve had a couple scares like that with my kids. One was found down by the barn, once sleeping under the dining room table, and one out at the end of our lane playing. Once called the police and once called a friend who brought over her house full of guests to help look. 🙁 My kids never ever ran off either which was why it was so scary. (three different kids)
Heidi says
My daughter had a scare like that with her four year old recently…it took her a couple of days to recover….
The kitchen is a beauty! A work of love, clearly.
Happy Birthday dear Mabel! Where did the time go??? So much fun to watch you & your family grow.❤️
Madeline A Vinitsky says
Love the mud pie kitchen.
karen says
phew! Glad she was found and quickly. I assume the worst and I know that feeling of not being able to find your kid. My daughter was so easy to spot in a crowd but my son always blended in with all the boys and I could never ever remember what he was wearing on a given day. When we would take them to the park he was the one I could not find (even though he was right there). That flop of a stomach and the racing heart go hand in hand with sheer dread! Happy birthday Mabel!!!
Maria says
Happy Birthday, Mabel! The mud pie kitchen is a gorgeous piece of furniture. So much love in putting all that time into making something so beautiful, knowing that its purpose is for a little girl to make a happy muddy mess!
Emanuela Scuccato says
Hello Ginny!
Your story of Mabel’s birthday is very nice and sweet. And the gifts so perfect for her. Thanks for sharing all this and for the wonderful photos. Happy birthday to little Mabel!
Ruth says
I’ve been looking forward to this , Ginny, and what a seesaw of emotions you’ve described here There’s a whole lot of love and fun captured in your pictures from the birthday princess to muddy glee and the one of Jonny with Mabel is really special. Thanks for sharing those memories with us.
Susanne says
Unforgettable 4th Birthday. Thank you for sharing.
Your story and pictures made my day.
Sara says
So glad Mabel was ok and had such a fun bday! My daughter is five and we love the Lola books and the set about her brother Leo. I always love reading your posts. There are a lot of similarities between our families.
Madeline A Vinitsky says
Love the mud pie kitchen.
Pam says
I am sure you will always remember her 4th birthday ?! What a scare and I know that feeling of panic so well. Thank goodness all is well and she was able to truly celebrate her birthday. What’s better than mudd pies? She will enjoy her table for a long time to come. My grandson, who also turned 4 in March, loves to paint rocks. His Mom buys him paints and he will sit and paint them all different colors. Fun things! Enjoy Mabel, she’s growing so quickly as is my grandchildren. I haven’t been able to see them since February and I miss them terribly. I’m in VA and they’re in NJ. Thanks for the post, I truly enjoy your spirit❤️
Shannon Dennis says
Their sweet little bare toes get me every time! Precious little piggies. I don’t blame you one bit for panicking in search of Mabel. I’ve been there on occasion and totally feel like I’m losing my mind until they are at last safe in my arms and I can rock them. I cry too. Panic and relief all rolled into one as I replay what seems like forever until I know where they are. I cry at what could have been, but so grateful it never came to that. Such a sweet thought, though, Mabel asleep on a pile of coats. She wanted to be close to her mama who was wrapping her presents. Happy 4th to Mabel. My RubyRose just had her 5th. She’s my baby and my heart squeezes that she is growing too fast.