My kids have always baked their own birthday desserts. Maybe that's unusual. I don't know.

I never planned it to be that way, it just happened. When I was a child I never even saw my mom baking my cake. It was a surprise each year, revealed after much anticipation and excitement with a flourish. Made by me? Never.

But we're terribly hands-on over here. Process over product in every way. And – like with so many things – my kids wanted to dive in and make their own cakes, pies, or other birthday treats. (Because as most kids know, half of the fun of dessert is making it yourself! I swear it's true.)

And so, from the time we woke yesterday and she set to work making two gluten-free vegan pumpkin pies, it was Lupine's special day.

It was time for us to celebrate this girl.

This strong, determined, imaginative, magical, colorful nine year-old.

Goodness, me. Nine!

We celebrated with her favorite foods (a gluten-free vegan waffle bar for breakfast, salmon and buttered spinach for lunch, fried tofu and sushi for dinner, and homemade bubble tea), time with grandparents, card games, and perfume making. And some lovely, simple, and handmade gifts.

When we read her birthday story and lit the candles on her spiral I reflected on how fast these years have unfolded. There is hardly any space in her spiral for decorations anymore! And this year – for the first time – she opted out of wearing her birthday crown. So grown. (Notably, Sage first shunned his crown on his ninth birthday as well.)

All in all it was a simple, and lovely way to celebrate.

And I wonder how I got so lucky as to get have her call me Mama.

Happy Birthday, Lupine Bluebird. We love you so.