My baby is 6!

Wow Lexi, where has the time gone? So many things have happened for you this year - you started kindergarten, you learned how to ride a bike without training wheels, you can tie your shoes, you lost 2 teeth, you can fix your hair (and everyone else's), and you can read this post!!! You love reading, your friends (old and new), family-time, crafts with mommy, sewing, dress up, hair/makeup, fashion, cooking, gymnastics, going to shows, High School Musical, Hannah Montana, music in general, and you love to do anything "special" and out of the ordinary. If it's any change in routine, you are up for it girlie...you fly by the seat of your pants!

I can't even begin to describe how much I love you and how much I revel in your accomplishments. Every day you are growing stronger, more independent, and more self-confident than I could have ever dreamed. I always joke that the only reason you need me around is to drive you places, and I really believe that's true. You can get yourself ready from head to toe in the morning, one day you even surprised me and fixed my breakfast (if only I could teach you to make coffee)! You are a joy to be around, your light shines so bright people can't help but be drawn to you. I look forward to seeing the changes you go through this year, but I hope this year goes by slower than the last...your baby years are slipping away so fast. I love you so much - HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEXI!

PS - We had a really awesome "pretend sleepover" for you and all your friends - no boys allowed - but in the utter chaos of it all mommy forgot to take any pictures. :-( I am heartbroken, a group shot of everyone in their jammies would have been so great. Where is that rewind button?

My baby is 5!

Lexi,

I can't believe you are 5 years old already, it seems like just yesterday when you were born. You were the first baby I ever held and the most beautiful baby I had ever seen. Your birthday is also the anniversary of me becoming a mother for the first time, and I couldn't ask for a better present than just being able to be in your presence every day. You have grown up into such a smart, talented, funny, beautiful little girl. You love ballet and gymnastics, being crafty like mommy, telling jokes, going to school, your friends and family, being sneaky and stealing marshmallows when nobody's looking, and playing any sort of game. You constantly ask me when you can be a grownup so you can do all the fun things grownups do, and you love to pretend you're going to "meetings and school" like mommy. Your new favorite things are makeup and hair accessories, and you have a certain flair to your walk that can only be described as "swishing" (I have no idea where you got that from!). You hate being told it's naptime/bedtime, no matter how tired you are, because that means you may miss out on something fun when you're sleeping. You are very caring and loving, and you truly feel bad for other people when they are in pain. You are always the first one to ask your brother if he needs to go to the safe place and you are right there with him holding his hand, getting him water, and showing him the different ways to breathe. You can translate his words when even mommy and daddy can't understand him, and you are right there to jump in with a "you did it" whenever he accomplishes anything. I love you so much Lexi, you are growing bigger, faster, and stronger every day and I can't wait to see what the next year will bring for you, my big 5 year old...HAPPY BIRTHDAY!