ON June 3, 2011, Kailey Aiesha Lenysse Legislador Ang came into the world a tiny, seven-pound baby. In four years, it has been such a journey to witness her take her first steps, say her first word, and grow into the little girl she is today.
This school year, she is about to enter Kindergarten at A Child's Place where she has completed play school and her father is part of the pioneering batch of students. At her young age, she towers over her classmates and can easily communicate her ideas in complete sentences. She enjoys horseback riding, singing, and puzzles. Every time we see this charming little girl, there is always something new and novel about her.
She knows how to play people in her hands. She can be engaging in conversation when you get her excited about animals or hidden treasure or whatever is her object of interest for the day. She'll show you videos of her favorite cartoons or she'll tell you stories about the places she's been. She'll pat you on the back when you say you're sad or rub your shoulders when you're cold. She gives the best hugs.
For her fourth birthday, Kailey was treated to an early birthday celebration trip to Hong Kong and Macau last month. The week-long trip included visits to popular tourist destinations such as the Tsim Sha Tsui, Victoria Peak, and Kowloon, as well as the Ruins of St. Paul, Senado Square, and a gondola ride at The Venetian in Macau.
Of course, the trip to Hong Kong is not complete without a visit to Disneyland, a place that is magical even to adults. Certainly, Kailey felt like a Disney princess watching all the shows, enjoying a few rides, and meeting characters from the most beloved Disney stories. She had quite a conversation with Rapunzel on their pets!
On the day of her birthday, as an almost-tradition for children in our culture, Kailey celebrated her fourth birthday at McDonald's with a few of her closest family and friends. The party was celebrated with parlors games, a visit from one of the mascots, and afternoon snacks. The celebrant herself led the prayer before meals.
The celebration ended with the celebrant handing party giveaways in lootbags to the guests. As an aunt having been able to witness the milestones in such a wonderful girl's life, it puts a lot into perspective as far as how quick time can be. One day, Kailey was a baby, bumping into low furniture and knocking stuff over. The next, she's able to use gadgets effortlessly. It is exciting to know how much she'll grow in just a blink of an eye.
Being four is a time in a child's life where they are no longer a baby, as hard as that is for parents and aunts to accept, but not quite a big kid. They would run off to play with friends but one scraped knee and they are back to being a small child. It is a time where they cannot understand the concept of time, its constant passing, or how much joy each second being with them brings.
Happy fourth birthday, dearest Kailey! For more wonderful years to come!