Party Time

Baylor and her good friends Ellen and Caroline are all in the same class at school AND all take gymnastics at Harpeth AND all turned 5 within a few weeks of each other!!!
So we decided to party together
As you can see, the moms bought the birthday girls matching leotards for the big day. We invited all the girls from their class and a few church friends. The big brothers and daddies were the only boys allowed

It's always important to stretch

The tumble track is one of Baylor's favorite things to do

They had a net you could climb and if you reached the top there was a horn for you to honk. Most of the kids gave it a try, but only a few made it to the top. Baylor went about two feet and decided that was enough for her, but Christian made it to the top.

Ellen and Caroline

Lila made it too

The pit is ALWAYS a popular spot too

taking a little rest:)

the parachute was really neat once they all got the hang of it

Where is everyone?

Amy totally rocked out the decorations...everything was pink, silver and gold. Each guest received a trophy and a medal for their participation

Our friend Sarah (from church) makes amazing cakes. Not only are they adorable on the outside, but they taste great too

The three girls getting sung to

Everyone had such a fun time. Two of the guest have even started taking classes. I loved watching my little girl having such a good time with her friends

I have a 5 Year Old?

I can hardly imagine a time when this sweet smile wasn't a part of my day. This girl has brought joy, laughter and occasional frustration into our lives, but I wouldn't change a bit of it or her.
OC has a tradition of calling the children up on stage once a month to celebrate birthdays. ( all the names are read, we sing to them and a sweet prayer is said) I took pics on her first one and now we are on number 5!!! I really don't believe it. Her sweet friend Avery was part of January's blessing also.

On her actual birthday Nana, Papa, Uncle Jeremy and the Gilreath's (along with Mommy, Daddy and Christian) celebrated with a small pizza party at the house. She loved Tangled (Disney movie about Rapunzel) and her Daddy found her a wig and dress while we were in New York. Mommy was going to pass, but Daddy knew his little girl would look sooo cute and of course she did.

We kept with the theme and had Publix do a Tangled cake

the boys singing to the birthday girl

Mommy is so proud of her sweet girl

A few presents...some cd's for her new player, some Hello Kitty things and LOTS of Barbies. HK and Barbie are her "new things" that she is into

Baylor~ You are a mover and a shaker. You start your day off running across the floor to our room (love hearing those little feet) and you keep on going until we make you go to bed. Downtime really isn't in your vocabulary. Your smile and laugh lights up any room. You have so much fun playing with friends. Especially dress-up or Mom and Dad. Disney princess' are still a big favorite, but you are moving on to Hello Kitty and Barbie too. To say you love music and dancing is almost an understatement. You are in Pre-K three days a week and LOVE learning/being with your friends. Going to church, ballet, tap and gymnastics round out your week. Once again, mostly about moving, flipping or dancing. You do love your class at church and learning about Jesus. You work so hard at learning your memory verses and remembering the stories. I know God has many great plans in store for you and I can't wait to witness it.

You have a very sweet heart, but can be a little cranky...especially with your brother. For all that you say you love him you seem to get a kick out of annoying him too! Not that he doesn't do his fair share:) I enjoy the glimpses I get into what your future relationship might look like.

You are a daddy's girl. Your favorite jammies right now are your "I love Daddy" ones...you love showing them off and telling anyone you can how much you love your daddy. It is definitely returned b/c he can't get enough of his girl. If he is working or in school late, you make me promise that he will come kiss you when he gets home. I love watching the two of you together.

Not that you don't enjoy some good mommy time too. We enjoy are two "us only" days a week and I know I will miss that next year when you are in full time school. I (and so many others) am caught off guard sometimes by your beauty. I had no idea what a beautiful little girl you would turn into when I held that skinny 6 lbs five years ago. We are working hard to make sure our attitude/behavior matches what everyone sees on the outside. You have your own ideas about what you want to do AND how they should be done-that can be a little frustrating at times, but I know I will love that you have your own opinions when you get older. I am so honored that God saw me worthy of being your Mommy. Words really can't express the love you have shown me and I hope you know how much I treasure you. I am so thankful for all that you bring into our lives and can't wait to see how you grow in the next 5 years.

Love you,
Mommy

P.S. Just so you know...I spent a lot of time crying the past few weeks just thinking about how big you are getting (did the same thing when your brother turned 5). I'm going to blink and another 5 years is going to have gone by. I think it's just me being a little sad that you aren't my baby anymore, but I am so happy and excited to see what kind of young girl you are going to become.

Christmas Eve Service 2010

Baylor and some other sweet dancers from church were able to use their gift of dance to praise Jesus on Christmas Eve. They all looked beautiful and had so much fun. They danced to Twas the Night before Christmas by Steven Curtis Chapman.

Her best friend Caroline

Ashlyn, Faith, Baylor and Avery

rocking baby Jesus

The older dancers

After the dancing Mrs. Janet read the Christmas story to all the children

and B obviously got a little tired

One very brave girl

This picture is from my phone and a little grainy, but I had to document my strong girl going through her eye surgery. Several months ago a bump formed on her eyelid/eyelash area. We watched it get bigger and finally decided we should go to the doctor. After several appointments with the pediatrician and an ophthalmologist it was determined that surgery was needed. We were a little nervous, but knew we had the BEST place in the nation to take her: Vanderbilt Children's Hospital is so wonderful. I have told several people that it's not a place you want to have to use, but when you need it, there is no other place you would rather be. They took great care of her when she was 7 weeks old with RSV and I knew they could do it again with her pretty little 4 year old eyes:)

When operation day arrived she was given these cute PJ's and asked to get ready. They came and asked us a bunch of questions (some several times) and then asked her just one: "Are you going to be a big girl and go with the doctors and nurses?" She thought it over for a second and gave them a solid "NO!" A few minutes later a child specialist came with her "magic box" It had pictures of the operating room, a sample of the mask they would use and several chap sticks for her to smell and pick her scent for the medicine that would put her to sleep. After all this and some reassurance from Mommy she decided it was ok. We prayed with her and she knew so many other family and friends were doing the same. I asked her who was always with her even when Mommy and Daddy weren't: she sweetly whispered "God" and it made my heart smile.

The surgery itself did not take very long, but I was so happy to get her in my arms again. She was sad and still tired so they helped me get her situated so I could hold her. She slept for another 30 minutes and we were cleared to go home.

She was instructed to take it easy the rest of the day. She snuggled with me and watched movies. Her eye watered quite a bit over the next couple days and she kept her box of tissues close by. The above picture shows the balloons our neighbors brought. She also received several cards, drawings and phone calls. She felt very special and we appreciated all the thoughts and prayers.

OC Open House 2010

Baylor in the pumpkin patch and with Daddy

This is Mrs. Anna...she took over the class when Mrs. Amanda had to leave for another school. Baylor has taken to her quickly and she still LOVES going to school

I was busy talking and only took one picture of Baylor with her friends...this is Mary Adeline and they have become good playmates quickly

Last Soccer Game

Our last game of the season was against our good friends Macy and Harper. It was fun to play them and watch Macy dominate the field as usual. Below is an action shot with Baylor in the background-Macy and Harper's cute little back

Some of our cheering fans:)

Papa, Nana and Christian (is anyone surprised he has a book in his hands?)

Listening to Coach Brian

On the field with Zach

Getting her trophy

Caroline and Baylor with Coach Zach and Brian. They made playing fun and we are hopping to do it all over again come spring