Abby: 5 Years Old

Dear Abby,

How can it be that you have grown into a beautiful and smart five year old little girl already? It seems no matter what, all parents seem to feel the same way about their babies. One minute you are a newborn and now you are a school aged girl!


I remember being five. I loved to read and play school. My best friend's name was Allison. We set up lemonade stands together in the summer. We played board games and watched Sesame Street together after school. When I was five, I got my first bee sting, had my first sleepover and had my first day of school. I wished for a baby brother or sister at Christmastime. I loved nights when my mom and I would cook candlelight dinners together and wait for my daddy to get home from work. At five, I remember sitting on my dad's lap as he taught me how to sign my name, so I could put my signature on the back of my very first library card. I remember being five and I'm excited because you will remember being five too!

You love school so so much. You are in Pre-K three days a week, but would be thrilled to go every day if you could. You've already told me that you're upset about the idea of summer because you don't want a break from school. When you wake up sick or with a snow day, it takes us a while to curb the disappointment that comes with having to miss a day. Mommy and Daddy met with your teacher this week.  You are doing so well academically.  It's fun to watch you really starting to read.  Even in some of the areas that are harder for you at school (like perfectionism and being able to move on from tasks before they are completed), we can see how much you are learning and growing.  Mrs. K told us that you are a very kind friend in the classroom and play with little girls who are not as easy for others to include. School really has been the best for you!

For your school birthday, you asked if I would volunteer in your class and make Frozen cupcakes to share with everyone. I love helping in the classroom and seeing you in your element with all of your friends. And of course, the icy blue frosting was a big hit.

 

 When you are not in school, you love any chance to craft and make artwork. Your bedroom walls are covered with many masterpieces. Lately, you've been sharing your ideas with me about how we should redecorate your room (complete with beautiful colors and a painted flower garden) when you and Ella move in together.  You still love to help me cook and bake. Most afternoons, I can find you and Ella dressed up and playing a creative make believe game together. Just today, you were balloon makers and friends planning a party. You created the decorations, while Ella prepared the pretend food. Unless we are having "one of those days", you always want your little sister and best friend by your side. Oliver is your other little buddy. He sleeps with you at night and always keeps you company when you are watching a show. One of your new responsibilities it making sure Oliver is fed twice a day and you take it very seriously. 

Your desire to be all grown up makes me smile and want to cry at the same time. I think it's so sweet that you want to grow up to be just like your mommy, but no need to rush away the days. If only I could help you see how precious each one of your amazingly carefree childhood days are. When I ask you why you want to grow up so quickly, you tell me it's because you want to take care of babies, be a mommy and cut food when your cooking. My sweet girl, you're the best. 

 

 

You love to be busy. A day filled with lots of activities and people is your favorite. If you had your choice, you would skip quiet play time every day if it meant you didn't have to spend time alone. I've been trying to teach you the importance of taking moments to recharge alone, but you've always preferred being with people. If we have chores to do, you do it willingly if we are doing it together side by side instead of being sent to clean your room alone. You will move any activity you are doing to be in the same room as me. I love that you love to be close to your mommy. If you are having a snack, you always ask for someone to sit and talk with you. You choose quality time with people every time.  

 

The way you think, paired with a whole lot of confidence make you a natural little leader. When given the opportunity, you can be found directing and organizing any person or activity (at times needing lots of reminders about not being bossy and controlling). You are determined and persistent, rarely giving up and sometimes overstepping boundaries (needing lots of reminders about who the mommy is). You are affectionate and protective. You are cautious, making sure things stay in order and everyone follows the rules. You, little one, do not like to " color outside of the lines". You follow the guidelines and ensure that things are "done right". Ella making up her own words to songs or changing the rules to games makes your crazy. But, you're not always serious business. Your laughter and goofiness lights up the room. More than anything, you LOVE to be tickled by your Daddy and you laugh uncontrollably. You also love to snuggle up on the couch with your family. 

really excited about your birthday gift from Nagymama

Favorite toys/activities: anything you can create. Arts and Crafts, Legos (new sets are your very favorite), 100 piece puzzles, any chance at some screen time (iPhone, TV, Leappad, video games), creative learning/art books, your hairdresser tools
Favorite song: Waterfall by Chris Tomlin
Favorite foods: pizza and sesame chicken
Favorite movies/shows: Creative Galaxy and too many Netflix favorites to name
When you grow up: party planner and a mommy

taking the role of hairdresser very seriously with your new set of tools

There aren't enough words to let you know how special you are to our family and everyone who knows you. But, I can tell you this...being your mom is the best! I love you more than you could ever know.  Here's to a fun year of being five and making lots of memories that you will remember for a lifetime.

Love, 

Mommy 

Some other fun birthday festivities: 

• Grammy came up for your birthday weekend. The night before your birthday, she took us all out to dinner at Dave and Busters. We kicked off birthday weekend with a fun night out playing lots of games after dinner.

• On birthday morning, Daddy made you your birthday breakfast. Your special request was Omelette Waffles with lots of whipped cream and sprinkles. You opened your pile of gifts during breakfast and played your new toys with Ella all morning. We didn't have to start getting ready for your birthday party until the afternoon.

• We visited with Will and Ms. Megan during birthday week. I'm glad I thought to take a picture of you and Will. The two of you were destined to be friends before you came out of your mommies' bellies exactly a month apart. Now, I get to have way to much fun comparing pictures as you grow. Top: Abby (4 months), Will (3 months) Bottom: Abby and Will about to turn five.

Birthday Glam Day with Grandma

Turning five is pretty exciting, so having your first birthday celebrations a few days early is the perfect start to birthday week. Grandma had planned months ago that she was going to take Abby out for a special day around her birthday, so the girls and I loaded up and headed out to spend the day in my hometown.

Our morning started with a stop at Papa's house for brunch. Papa makes the best breakfasts, whether it is chocolate chip pancakes, his signature breakfast sandwiches or anything in between. Papa does breakfast the best. We ate together with Uncle Cory and Papa, while the dogs kept us entertained and laughing. Thanks Papa!
.

With our bellies full of pancakes, we headed to Grandma and Casey's house. Within minutes, the girls had Grandma unloading all of her crayons and giving them bags of candy canes from her Christmas tree. Of course, it wouldn't be a visit to Grandma's without some cookies and juice.

That afternoon, we headed out for a some girl time. Grandma took us out for pizza (Abby's favorite), then took Abby to get a Frozen manicure.  

By the time we got to the mall, Ella needed a nap. Sweet girl fell right to sleep in the stroller, while we shopped in a cute accessory shop with Grandma. The birthday glam continued with colored hair extensions, a set of rings and stick on earrings from Grandma.

Abby was feeling fabulous after Grandma helped fancy her up with all of her new accessories. Grandma is pretty cool (actually more cool than mommy is). I mean she did get Abby her first streak of pink hair. She would have even taken Abby to get her ears pierced if Abby had been up for it. Can't you see it in Abby's face and pose? She was feeling lovely (and really grown up...which is Abby's favorite).

Before we headed home for the day, we made our best attempt at getting some good pictures together. Let's be real. We had a mini mall photo shoot right there in between Ruby Tuesday and Old Navy and we loved every minute of it. :)

Thanks to our five year old photog, we got these gems (blurry, but special)!

This one was taken by Ella.

This one was taken by Abby.

Somewhere along the way these girls have become fascinated with the idea of selfies. The way they talk about them, it sounds like I walk around the house all the time taking pictures of myself. I really don't, but we do love pictures around here.

"Ready Mom? We want to take a selfie together!"

We had the best day together! Thanks Grandma!

Doctor Doctor...

Daddy is sick. Dr. Abby and Dr. Ella to the rescue. They even set him up with a cushy hospital bed and called for an ambulance. Best care in town.

Snapshots and Quotables

Abby is totally into Legos. She sits and follow the directions with very little help from us. It's been a lot of fun to watch her interest in building and creating grow in a new way.
 

Some winter days you just need to paint your toes ALL BY YOURSELF...

Abby and Ella aren't the only ballerinas in our house, even Oliver stands in first position.

In the middle of life's messiness lately, I've needed lots of help staying focused on what's true. One afternoon, the girls and I brainstormed together and filled our whole kitchen chalkboard with truth about who God is. I loved the moment. Ella was quick to tell us that God is Jesus and love. Abby's heart was overflowing with attributes and names of God. She couldn't spit them out fast enough. She may have filled up more of the board than me! :)  It was beautiful and encouraging to my weary heart. I can see so many glimpses of how the Lord is teaching their little hearts through us and others.

All that sass and personality! She's taking me right back to the 90's. Clarissa Explains It All minus the combat boots, anyone?

There are few things I love more than a freshly bathed baby in clean jammies and slicked back hair.

I'm not sure why, but this picture feels like a glimpse into my future with two teenage girls.

Look at this girl change from two to five.

Best friends playing princess barbies.

There is no such thing as easing into the morning when you open your eyes to these little faces right in front of you. Good morning, Mommy!

One night, they just went to sleep together like this.

The girls were so excited about the package that arrived from Nagymama. They couldn't wait to put their new needlepoint pillowcases on their beds.

After a morning of physicals (complete with shots), we decided a girls' lunch date was in order as a special reward for their bravery.

The girls were playing together downstairs together when Abby came up for a minute to talk.

A: Mommy, Ella pointed to a picture of Nagypapa and asked me who he was. I told her he was your grandpa and Nagymama's husband, but now she is really sad. 

M: Why is she sad?

A: She is holding his picture and saying she wants him to be her Nagypapa. 

M: He is her Nagypapa too. He just isn't alive and here with us anymore.

A: I know Mom. I tried to tell her that, but she said she wants her own Nagypapa and she wants to draw a picture of him for her room. So, she did.

(footsteps and Ella appears) 

E: Mommy, this is Nagypapa. He is mine. I'm putting him on my wall. I love him. 

Sometimes a winter afternoon at the library looks like this...

Sunday afternoon: She didn't ask me for a treat. She asked me if we could go to Starbucks and sit together for a while. I'm thankful that God helped me stop what I was doing, hear her heart and not miss the moment.

 

rough life