Cassidy's 5-Year Portraits

Some of my favorites from our photo session this morning. Finn was NOT happy...we'll have to try again for a better group shot. :)

Cassidy's 5th Birthday

We started Cassidy's 5th birthday celebrations by having lunch with her in the "Fish Bowl," a special room for students and their parents to eat together in the cafeteria. She was so surprised to see Grandma, who had made the trip to Garner to celebrate with us, but stayed quiet and with her class. She even shushed Grandma who made the mistake of talking in the hallway! :)

Aunt Jennifer, Mema, and Gran joined our group for a dinner of tacos and cornbread muffins...Cassidy's request...and then we all dove into her princess birthday cake. The day was full of love and laughter and Cassidy said it was the best birthday ever. :)

Excited to see us and proud to be the line leader!

Cassidy and Grandma in the Fish Bowl

Cassidy, Mommy, and Daddy...it's hard to remember the days when it was just the three of us.

Finn was with us, too! :)

Cassidy's princess birthday cake

She LOVED her cake and the princess candle Daddy bought for her!

Blowing out her candle

Lily, all smiles as she waits for a piece of cake

Finny wants cake too...and maybe a haircut!

Devouring cake and a tower (ice cream cone)

YUMMY, Mommy!

The Belle of the ball in pretty dress-ups passed down to us from our neighborhood friends.

Sleeping Beauty...who was awake are raring to go at 5:00 a.m. that morning!

Aunt Jennifer played the part of the Unicorn!

And even gave rides!!!

Happy 5th Birthday, Cassidy Grace!

My Sweet Cassidy Grace,

Today you are 5 years old. Each of your birthdays have been special to me, but this one seems even more monumental. Perhaps it’s because you’ve started Kindergarten this year or perhaps it’s because time seems to move faster with each passing year. I am holding you tight, trying to savor each moment, each conversation, each joke, each snuggle…it’s all moving too fast. That’s the bittersweetness, the love that aches, of being a mother. (P.S. I am aware that bittersweetness is not a real word. :))

As I am trying to will you to stay small just a little longer, you are racing to grow up. For you, it cannot happen fast enough and, in fact, is happening WAY too slow. I can’t count the number of times you’ve announced, “I just want to be a grown-up!” which is usually followed by a list of things you WILL do when you are grown. You just don’t realize how quickly you are growing and changing.

In the past few weeks alone, you’ve left the preschool you behind. Each morning you walk yourself into your school and make your way down the winding hallways to your classroom. We’ve been in school for 6 weeks now, and I’m still a little nervous each time I let you out of the car…truth be told, I’m not completely at ease again until you’re back in the car with me. But you’re confident and completely capable of handling that task without me.

You’ve jumped from reading Level 1 to Level 2 readers and you’re choosing harder and longer books to tackle. You’re handwriting has improved by leaps and bounds and each night as we sit together to do homework you impress me with your excellent work ethic and attention to detail. You are taking on more and more responsibilities at home, whether it’s helping with chores or taking care of your baby brother. You have NO idea how much I rely on you…I was actually a little lost when you first went to school.

AND, you’ve lost your first tooth! Definitely a sign that you’re growing up!

But it’s the growth of your heart that has blessed me the most in this past year. You have great care, concern, and compassion for others. You have a heart of service and are eager to help your family…you often take care of responsibilities without even being asked. You are heartbroken when someone is hurt, especially when you think you’ve been the one to hurt them. You cry harder than Finn when you accidentally bump him. You want to do the right thing and hold yourself to a high moral standard. You continue to pray with great believing and your prayers are becoming more thoughtful, as are your questions concerning God’s Word. I LOVE that you are excited to know more about God and that you ask to hear the same records from the Bible again and again. You and your heart are growing into a beautiful young woman of God.

Cassidy, I love you so much that I cannot even type these words without feeling my heart tighten and getting a serious lump in my throat. You light up the room and you light up my life with your joy, laughter, and love. I am so thankful for you and for the privilege of being your mother. May you continue to grow in God’s great grace.

I love you, my sweet girl!

Love,
Mommy

Bye-Bye Baby Teeth!

Cassidy lost her first tooth today at school. She said she was busy writing her "L's" when she decided to give it a push with her tongue and out it popped! It startled her and she ran crying to show her teacher, but Mrs. Jones helped her feel better and made her Student of the Day. She got to put her tooth in a baggie and get up in front of the class to show it off...I'm sure she was in hog heaven!

So, I guess it's official. Baby teeth are on their way out for my first born baby...exciting for her, bittersweet for Mommy. :)

Showing of the new hole in her mouth

Lily HAD to have her picture taken, too, and I HAD to post it because, well, just look at those beautiful baby blues! :)