Happy Birthday!!

Happy 5th birthday to my little princess!! Where has the time gone???

5 short years ago, at 4:35 pm, I held a 5 pound 12 ounce baby girl for the first time in my life. I knew nothing about babies, nothing about motherhood, and in retrospect, pretty much nothing about life at all! LOL. I remember looking down at this tiny baby and thanking God that my own mom lived a couple of miles away so that she could help me out and guide me through this new and uncharted world of motherhood. I was both thrilled and terrified at the same time.....not to mention shocked that the hospital actually sent me home and trusted me to care for this little girl.

Katherine opened whole new world to me. The love I felt for her was instant and unconditional, and it was more powerful than anything I'd ever felt in my entire life. She has taught me more lessons in these five short years that in all my other years combined. As I look at her, I am constantly reminded how truly blessed I am, and thank God every day for bringing her into my life.

In the blink of an eye, a 5 year old has replaced the baby that was. In what seems like a brief moment, my baby girl who depended on me for everything, has turned into an incredibly funny, independent, sweet, preschooler who is on the verge of starting kindergarten. She went from being in the 3rd and 5th percentile (height and weight) to an incredibly athletic gymnast. She dances and sings her way though life, and brings a smile to all those whose life she touches. She may look like her Daddy, but her personality is all mine. She is my mini-me. When she speaks, I hear myself. When she laughs, I laugh too. We are truly connected at the heart, and I am so thankful of the bond we share.

So far, today has been jam packed with birthday celebrations. We brought push-ups and juice boxes to preschool and she was the uncontested star of the day. She got to wear the birthday crown and pass out treats. She was sung to and everyone in the class made her a picture which they put into a birthday book. When I picked her up, he face was still pink from the ice cream, and she was glowing. She had a permanent smile on her face -- which put a smile on my face.

When we got to the car, she burst out in song... "You say I'm a princess.... My mommy's the queen... and together we reign supreme"! Oh, that girl.... how can you just NOT fall head over heels in love with her?

After school, we were invited over to the Launderville's house for a little birthday celebration. I was amazed when we walked in their house. They had baked her an amazing cake -- chocolate which is her favorite, and the house was decorated with hot pink and lime green party ware, and helium balloons. I was shocked! It was so incredibly sweet of them. We are so blessed to have amazing friends.

Tonight Katherine is bringing treats to ballet and tap lessons and she's thrilled. When you're 5, there's nothing better than your birthday, and celebrating all day long (and in her case all WEEK long) really takes the cake. She's just walking a little taller and smiling a little brighter today. I love that!!

Speaking of all week celebrations -- we are having small celebrations all week with family and friends. Tomorrow night we are going out to dinner at the place of her choosing. She hasn't decided for sure yet where she wants to go, but one thing is definite -- they must have shakes! The celebrations will end on Saturday afternoon when we have her big party. I was expecting quite a few "regrets" since it's the week of spring break (I assumed people would be going out of town etc...), but the way things stand now, we're expecting somewhere around 30 kids. Yea -- should be chaos. But what fun would a 5 year birthday party be without chaos???? Bring it on!! After all -- you only turn 5 once!