5 Years....Finally

The day that Taryn has been waiting literally an entire year for was finally here yesterday.

She turned FIVE!!

She came up to my room in the morning and I said "Happy birthday sweet girl!" And she said excitedly, "Finally! I'm five!!"  It cracked me up. All of her dreams could be wrapped up in this one day. That's a lot of pressure for me to pull off the best day ever!  I think we did pretty good though!

She opened her presents from us early before daddy went to work. She had asked for a razor scooter of her own b/c she always borrows her friend, London's. We found this pink one and she was thrilled that it had pink wheels.  Brecken had fun trying it out too.

We also got her some TOMS (doubling up on back-to-school stuff with birthday shopping),

what she calls "Stompers" that are really just a simple stilt and has been asking for forever (I'm not really sure where she heard of them or how she knew she wanted them),

and a Lite Brite.  I remember my sis and I playing with hers a ton growing up so I wanted to get one for Taryn. After reading the reviews on Amazon for the new style versions I just couldn't make myself get one. There wasn't a single person who had anything good to say about them now. How is it that a company managed to ruin a perfectly good toy??  So, I clicked over to EBay instead and got her a "vintage" (I have a hard time calling anything from my childhood vintage but that's how it was labeled in the search!) Lite Brite and it works just great! I see hours of quiet play in my future...

These new things kept her happily busy during the morning then we met up with friends at McDonalds for a happy meal and a little time in the germ incubator play place.  Now, I'm not normally a germa-phob mom. I embrace a little dirty time, understand the importance of being exposed to the world's germs, etc., but there is just something about that place that gets to me. Ugh. I don't even want to talk about it. Just assume she's up-to-date on her shots, view this cute picture of 5 year old bliss and lets move on...

In the afternoon Taryn and I watched a movie while the little two napped. At one point in the movie, T popped her head up off my chest and gushed out, "I love this day!" My heart melted. : )

After a small scare with some thunder (seriously, God!?! The first thunder in 2 months and it has to be when my baby girl has a pool party planned?!?), a prayer made with two little girls for the pool to stay open and lot of calling to our local pool we were able to load up! She had a blast swimming with family and friends followed by some pizza, cake and some great gifts!

Derek spent a lot of time tossing, wrestling, throwing cousins nephews and friends.

 

 I think it was a great day for her. And she was up bright and early this morning to begin trying out all her fun new stuff. She's one blessed little girl and she's got a sensitive enough heart to recognize it. She was so grateful and was full of thank-you's all day. The last 5 years have not always been the easiest (more on that later) and as my first born and most strong-willed little girl (hopefully!) she has had me on my knees praying to God for guidance daily. We've survived to 5 though, I'm so proud of who she is becoming and can't wait to see what the Lord has planned for year 5!