Amelia is FIVE YEARS OLD!

Amelia woke up to cinnamon rolls on her birthday.

One of her favorites!

Her Daddy gave her a special necklace. 

She loved it.

We took a few birthday pictures and then headed off to Bible study. 

She was happy to go to CBS on her birthday. It's also a favorite!

We headed to the polls after Bible study.

Early voting had started, so we stood in line and got it done. 

What every five year old wants to do on their birthday!

We let Amelia choose where she wanted to eat dinner on her birthday. 

All Aboard!

They were really sweet by sending her a birthday note and train whistle to our table. 

Time for birthday cake!

We were happy that Papa could join us for dinner!

She had a great day.

It's hard to believe she's five years old.

It was just yesterday that I was holding her for the first time.

I remember thinking the first year just flew by. 

There sat my ONE year old baby having her first bite of cake!

Before I knew it, she was a TWO year old toddler, talking up a storm.

Along came THREE, still as sweet as can be!

And then came FOUR, a toddler no more.

And here we are now, celebrating FIVE years, somehow!?

Amelia, you've been my best, little girlfriend from the very start.

You make me laugh every single day. 

When I think about who you are right now, at five years old...

You're in no way perfect, but I get these glimpses of your heart...I get these glimpses of who you are, already, at such a young age and it's amazing. 

I know every parent must feel this way about their child, but you are mine, and I just want you to know how proud I am to be your mama. 

I love to hear you pray. You pray with such matter-of-factness, like you know who God is and what He is able to do and you have no doubt He'll do it. Your Daddy says he loves the sincerity of your prayers. 

I love to watch you with your sister. You love to hug and take care of her, like a little mama.

I love to watch you with friends. Time with your friends is one of your favorite things. And you never leave your friends without lots of hugs. 

I love to watch you around people who you've just met. You're the first to introduce yourself to people and love making new friends.

I love to watch you play. You have a big imagination and love to learn new things.

I love to hear you sing. You sing at the top of your lungs in worship service on Sundays and it's the sweetest sound I've ever heard. You love to make up songs that rhyme. They make no sense, much of the time, but it's funny!

I love to watch you serve. You're ALWAYS offering to help me and Daddy. You love making gifts for your family and friends. If you go to someone's house, you take them a card. If you go to a party, you always have to take a gift. We've started keeping art supplies in the car for unexpected cards/gifts you decide you need to make for someone on the way.

I call you my little tenderheart. 

Never lose that, Amelia. 

Yes, that means things will hurt big, but that will just allow you to forgive, and in turn, love big. 

We love you BIG, Amelia Joy. 

Happy 5th Birthday!

Daddy and Mama

Amelia's First Sleepover...

Amelia wanted to celebrate her 5th birthday with a sleepover. 

She has a lot of cousins who are also her best friends, so we had 8 little girls in our home to celebrate!

Whenever Amelia is allowed to choose flowers at the market, she always chooses roses and most often, pink roses. Even though I try to talk her out of them. ha!

They are her favorite. 

So I decorated the mantle with pink roses just for her. 

To say she was excited is the biggest understatement ever made. 

This was the most excited I've ever seen her before a party. 

Aunt Joy made her yummy chocolate and vanilla cupcakes with buttercream icing. 

Our favorite!

I bought the girls matching pajamas for the party.

My friend, Ashley let us borrow her inflatable movie screen for the party. 

The girls thought it was pretty cool to watch a movie outside. 

I set up a little snack area for them to help themselves during the movie. 

My girls don't drink soda (they don't like carbonated beverages), but I couldn't resist these tiny bottles of coke.

Amelia and Sydney drank lemonade, but their friends enjoyed the soda!

We had popcorn.

And lots of candy!

I had my niece, Victoria and our friend, Shelby come over to help with the party.

I was so thankful for their help!

Joylyn.

Mika.

Millie.

Kandace.

Sydney.

Laila.

Peyton.

And the birthday girl!

And we can't forget our Roo!

We ordered pizza for dinner.

Doing all of this outside made for easy clean-up! :)

I loved the glow-in-the-dark balloons.

We came in to open gifts after the movie. 

Could she smile any bigger!??

Amelia is really into Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles right now. 

She received this hat from her cousin, Kandace. 

Peyton read all the cards aloud, since Amelia doesn't know how to read. 

So sweet. 

Most all of the girls made her a card. She put them all in her special box after the party.

She loves homemade cards.

Shelby drew this picture for her. She's quite the artist!

Time for group pictures!

And cake!

Singing Happy Birthday.

Make a wish!

 I set up a little manicure station for the girls.

Victoria and Shelby painted their nails.

My friend, Christie is selling these "polish pads" on her website.

I thought they were so cute for mani/pedis.

Sydney wanted Aunt Joy to paint her nails. 

Seven little girls all in a row.

It was time for one more movie after we brushed our teeth.

They all went to sleep at midnight.

I'm pretty sure that's the latest any of them have ever been allowed to stay up - like ever!

I went with a feast of donuts, cereal, fruit and yogurt for breakfast. 

This was my first time to make a donut cake. ;)

I made the table look like a bed.

This was my living room on Saturday morning.

I couldn't help but smile at eight sleeping bags all in a messy row.

I told Alex, this was the easiest party I've ever thrown for one of my girls. 

It was laid back, they all played together, and were so well behaved. 

It was just great fun.

And the best part, Amelia said it was the best birthday party ever!

Love to all,