A 5 year old chicken

My Chicken is five years old!!! I remember when Zoe was a baby, before she could talk, I would teach the 5 year old Sunday School class and be blown away by what those kids could do. Some could read, they could run and jump and, perhaps my fav, tell really detailed stories. I remember thinking, "I can not believe I will have one of these one day!"

Tia and Chick at 1 and 5. 

Birthday cinnamon rolls!

Well, folks - that day is here. Zoe can do all those things but most importantly she can be -kind- and -thoughtful- and -funny-. And I am so, so proud of who she is! (#mombrag) #whateverits-my-blog)

Little girl cuteness. And, first position? second? idk

So, confession: while I really, really love babies - how squishy and snuggly they are - I am LOVING my big kid. Zoe is so much fun and I love all the questions she asks and how thoughtful she is and the PICTURES she draws. It's just such a more dynamic relationship. Now I think its crazy to imagine having in depth conversations with her one day about politics and religion and all those deep, deep things that she will have her own, individual opinions about. The types of things Mimi gets to enjoy with her big boys and while I am in NO rush to get there - I am just feeling reassured that every stage can be rewarding.

Ben as Present - at Zoe's "no presents bday". Also, bow and arrow!!! Z loves it.

Zoe's party wa a giant success - thanks to the Y and also to the "cold front" that blew through. Instead of suffocating and sticky (like poor Ana's party!) it was refreshingly breezy and warm and the pool felt great. When I was making her birthday evite I started to feel nervous because when you take Natalie, Meagan and Christine out of the picture I just thought, "who do i invite!?" But God has been so good adding friendships to our life - especially to Zoe and Ana. It helps too that our friends have big famalies - so Zoe's party ended up with 10 additional kids there (between 4 families). - Oh! And a baby, baby Caleb! yay! And! They were some of her very best friends - and Ana's too. Can I just say how grateful I am for little Luke!? He is no replacement for Linc in Ana's life - but it does seem like he is fixated on -her- apart from Zoe, which is what I appreciate. (Because, you may not know it, but Ana and Zoe are seperate people even though they share everything!) At one point, they got out of the pool and Luke was wrapped in a towel and he asked her if she was cold and she said yes so he openned his towel arms and wrapped her up with him! Bahhhhhhh - 3 year old cuteness. Apparently, according to Tia, at one point during the party, Ana leaned over and kissed him on the cheek too - so maybe I should pay closer attention to those two. ha.

Celebrate good times

It was a really great day! I am in love with "no presents" parties in which she only gets presents from her family! They are not overwhelming - there is no weird pressure at her party to open tons of gifts - and we dont end up with tons of crap. So awesome.

My daughter is old enough for stuff like this. So much fun!! Potholders for everyone for Xmas!

So, without further ado-
Chicken, what an absolute joy it is to watch you grow up before our eyes. We love your outgoing personality, your analytical mind and all the love you seem to give out to people. But our favorite things are how kind you can be and how much you love your sister and brother. May God grow you up even more in His likeness this year as you start kindergarten and gain more experience with people and friends apart from Momma and Daddy. May your joy ever be found in the Author of all things Good.
So! Many! Kisses!!!

And now.. our next adventure: FLORIDA!!!!