Lily's 5th birthday weekend!

Lily had a whole weekend full of fun for her 5th birthday!
On Saturday morning, her Aunt Sarah picked her up and they went out to breakfast and then went to Build-A-Bear! Lily had never been, so this was a special treat. She loves spending time with her Aunt Sarah. And she and Smurfette have been inseparable ever since!


On Sunday, Lily had a birthday party with friends and family. She wanted a Little Mermaid theme this year. Conveniently, her Aunt Sarah in California had turned her into a mermaid during our beach trip last summer so it made for a great invitation :-)

modeling her "Rapunzel wig" with her blonde cousin Lola, and friends Hannah and Madison

cupcake time!

friend Holly helping her read her card

present time!

new "twin" doll from Grandma & Grandpa B.

opening Grandma & Grandpa L.'s gift from CA

loves her new coat!

and shirt!

squinkies from her Fiala fam!

all ready for bed with "Lucy"

What a fun weekend for Lily and for us! Happy 5th Birthday, Lily!!!

Lily is 5 years old!!

Happy happy birthday to my oldest "baby", Lily Mae. This year has been an adjustment for Lily in welcoming a new brother to the family. It's not easy having to learn to share Mommy & Daddy's attention! And I have to say, she has been an excellent big sister! I could not have asked for a more caring, compassionate, and loving little girl.
Lily is in her last year of preschool and is looking forward to starting kindergarten next year with the "big kids". She is our independent leader. After the first day of Pre-K, she said to me "Mommy, I don't need you to walk me to class anymore. I can do it all by myself." And she did. She waves to the preschool director as she enters the building and will even have mini-conversations with her on her way up to class. I have heard countless times already this year, "Oh, THIS is Lily!" when speaking with other church or preschool parents. Their feedback is always positive, but it does make me wonder what goes on while we are not around?! :-) Nevertheless, her Daddy and I are happy that she is making her mark and is not bashful in introducing herself and making new friends.
Lily, we could not be more proud of you and the little lady you are growing to be! This has been an incredible year with you and we look forward to another year of watching you grow. We love you to pieces! xoxo

Here is Lily's year in review...in her own words. Well...mostly.

NAME: Lily Mae

HEIGHT: 3 ' 7 "

WEIGHT: 37 lbs.

NICK NAME(S): Trigger, Lil, Missy

BEST FRIENDS: brother Jackson, Madison, Hannah, Jake, Sam, Maryanna, Lola, Powell, Christopher, Brooklynne

AGE: 5

SCHOOL: Sycamore Hills Baptist Preschool

FUTURE SCHOOL: Blackburn Elementary (next year!)

PETS: Kelsey

HOBBIES: coloring, puzzles, playing with Jackson and Mommy, dolls, Barbies

FAV THING TO DO IN SUMMER: swim at Grandma & Grandpa's lake house, visit Grandma & Grandpa L. in California and go to the beach

FAV THING TO DO IN FALL: pumpkin patch, carving pumpkins, jump in a pile of leaves

FAV THING TO DO IN WINTER: build snowmen and play in the snow

SPECIAL SKILLS: skipping, rhyming, learning to jump rope, singing, coloring in the lines, writing her full name, and learning to spell

WHAT I WANT TO BE WHEN I GROW UP: Tooth Fairy

FAV SINGER: cousin Amy Oden (I told you Amy! :-)

FAV SONG: Jesus Loves Me

FAV COLOR: Pink

FAV FOOD: Cheese

FAV DRINK: Lemonade

FAV TOY: Dollie with the pink dress

FAV BOOK: Chrysanthemum

FAV MOVIE: Little Mermaid

FAV ANIMAL: Unicorn

FAV HOLIDAY: Valentine's Day

FAV WEATHER: Spring

FAV CANDY: Candy cane

FAV T.V. SHOW: Dora

FAV SPORTS: Soccer

FAV PHRASE: "I love you"

SEVEN WORDS TO DESCRIBE LILY: Spunky, Kindhearted, Confident, Affectionate, Intelligent, Inquisitive, and a Leader