My Sweet Baby Girl is 5 Years Old

My Mini-Me,

It's true - you are so much like me. I pray God will help the both of us on my less than endearing qualities, so that you don't go through some of my same struggles. Lord, help us!!

We prayed and prayed and prayed for you, you finally came and now you're 5 years old. What happened!! Life. That's what happened. What a treasure you are. We are so proud of you and who you are becoming. You are such a generous little girl (that definitely comes from your awesome Daddy) and like many little girls, you love being and making pretty. Pretty nails. Matching shoes. Socks that fit just right (no seams allowed!). Shiny clothes. Lipgloss, if you're lucky. Momma's jewelry, also if you're lucky. Dressing up in dress up clothes is an almost daily ritual. 

You are studious and very interested in reading, so we are entertaining that and learning lots of sight words. We just started reading our first chapter book (me reading) together. One of my favorites when I was younger - The Secret Garden. Though you aren't reading, you are a sponge with memorizing and have memorized 30+ Scriptures along with your brother. You always learn them before I do - it's amazing!

You love to help me in the kitchen. Your help is not my version of help, but you are learning, and I am, too. I want you to know and enjoy baking and cooking, so I'm learning to plan for more mess and more time. You definitely have a sweet tooth like me, so whenever baking is happening, you're more than willing to lick the spoon and bowl to assist in cleanup. 

You are a light sleeper (also like me), and your birthday kitty from last year doesn't help with this as nighttime is often her playtime. Regardless, Marley-girl is your buddy, and you love having her sleep with you. 

You asked for a toy cleaning set (see, another way you're like me!) for your birthday, which made me laugh, but Nana made sure you got it. Despite your affection for cleaning, you have some hoarding tendencies. Your collection of leaves, acorns, crystals (aka rocks) and other natural items is outgrowing its space. You don't like anything to be thrown away, so I have to wait until you're asleep to thin things out. It is the same for every piece of artwork and scrap paper. I only get in trouble when Daddy sends you to the recycle bin for cardboard to light the fire and you find your Sunday School coloring sheets. Oops. How did that get there?!

Instead of a birthday party, you asked to go camping in the camper with your friends, so we obliged, despite the possibility of cold weather. It was indeed cold the first night, but it warmed up, and we enjoyed a fun weekend together. 

You are a special little girl, and I am incredibly proud to me your momma. It truly is my privilege to get to be with you and teach you and love you so much! 

All our love,
Momma and Daddy

Before the Frozen Ball at preschool. 

Pretty lady and her date!

Big girl haircut!

Best friend time with Addison. 

There's the birthday girl! This was the best $.10 you ever spent, Nonnie. She wore this for 3 days straight!

She requested homemade strawberry donuts and oreo truffles instead of cake this year. 

Children's Museum in Chesterfield with the Lee's and Senters' families.

There was a special visit from Ariel and Jasmine while at the museum.

All the kiddos except for the newest, Sadie Rae.

Birthday candles in the camper with 13 others! It was cozy.

Camping buddies.

Wearing the mermaid blanket with Bitty Baby who received a matching one. Y'all I sewed these myself! I have only ever sewed squares by myself (friends helped me make a purse once), so this was an accomplishment. 

Beautiful.