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Wednesday, February 6, 2013

The actual BD has finally arrived!

If Bren is anything like her Mama (which signs are pointing to the fact that she is), then she will ALWAYS love and look forward to her birthday. For birthday #5, she certainly didn't disappoint. She was super excited.

Excited to share donuts with her friends at school for breakfast snack (pink with pink frosting and sprinkles). She was excited to eat cake balls for dessert after lunch (which she helped me make with MORE sprinkles).

She came home that evening after we finished dinner at her favorite deli, to ice cream cupcakes and more presents. I think my princess had a special day. I know we loved helping her celebrate!

This is my favorite picture of her.


The simple things in life - a new umbrella!



Pretty







Happy Birthday, Brenley May. Enjoy year 5!

Brenley May Turns 5

Hmmm.....not sure how I feel about the title of this post.  I feel like "5" is such a milestone.  And don't you know I will say it again at 10, 13, 16, 18.........all important birthdays, but so is every day in between.

I first started blogging about two months after Brenley was born.  It was March 28th to be exact.  I just briefly mentioned what an easy baby Brenley was on that first post. She was easy.  Now, well, she can be easy, but she can also be difficult. Difficult in the sense that her independence, fierce strong will, and stubbornness get in the way of a lot of things.  She has such an attitude and can take a "tone" with her parents when told to do or not do something. She seems to be getting in trouble more and more these days, and the scary part is......she really doesn't care.  And I quote, "Turn my TV off, I didn't want to watch it anyway."  There are no tears, there is no regret or sorry.......just flat out....."I don't care."

HOLY COW! What are we in for with this one?  Brian and I have a saying about her.  It is from an American Pie movie and one of the guys says....."The force in that one is strong."  We say that A LOT about Brenley May.

But then there is another side of her.  A side that not everyone gets to see because she plays favorites and only lets a few people into her world.  She loves hard.  She gives generously.  She has a huge heart where she pours and exclaims her love onto you.  It is truly amazing what a giver she can be - when she wants.  And that is the key. She gives when she wants - not when she is told or asked.

She is so smart too. Her memory is extensive. Her vocab big. So much in fact that she stutters over her words trying to get out long elaborate sentences. She gets frustrated when the words don't flow out of her mouth, but talk to her for just a little, and you would never guess she is only 4.  She is doing so well in pre-school and starting to read these paper books to us for "homework."  She read a short sentence to me tonight!  She loves art. She loves to color and draw and paint, and paint and color and draw.  She loves stuffed animals, but mostly "puuuuppies," which she says in a long drawn out deep voice.  She loves, loves, loves dogs.  She is a little animal lover in general.

She likes dolls, but hasn't taken to them very intensely.  She NEVER wears her hair down, but yet it is long and thick and beautiful. She says it "hurts her" if she wears it down.  She loves sweatpants and tennis shoes. She will dress up, but only if it is temporary. She doesn't like double layer sleeves (also hurts her??).  She is just VERY particular about clothes, shoes and hair - but NOT in a girly way.

I just really cannot believe how fast five years has went by.  I guess you just get so caught up with your other child and life that you don't soak up the baby and "firsts" like you do with your first born. Not sure.  Or maybe with this one, she was so independent at such a young age, I didn't get much time to mother or care for her.

Whatever the case, my 5 year old is beautiful and healthy and smart and independent. I.AM.SO.BLESSED.  Sometimes so blessed I cannot thank the Lord enough.

Brenley May, Happy Birthday my love, my heart and so much of my soul.

Sporty spice, who oddly enough, doesn't seem to like organized team sports.


Love

Love her in her jewelry. She has a lot of it, but rarely wears it.  
Remember this baby?  Bren at 9 weeks with her special blanket that continues to soothe her now 5 years later.  Thanks Me Ma and Pa Pa for that.

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Bren's Birthday Party

We celebrated Brenley May's birthday with her friends on Sunday at the painting ceramic store.  There were 11 friends that came to celebrate.  It was a lot of fun. The kids painted a lot faster than I thought. They were told to do 3 coats on their ceramic.... they were good to get it covered. Forget about 3 coats.

But they were sweet and our girl relished the attention. She wanted to get all dressed up with her jewelry. She welcomed friends. Hugged them hello. Screamed with delight as she opened their gifts. Hugged them good-bye. It was a fun hour and a half.

Here are the highlights and Mom's spin on the art party decorations.


Hey Bren, the camera is over here!
Still over here!

Cookies from a favorite bakery - custom made for our party!

Mom made these. Rice Krispy treats on popsicle sticks dipped in colored candy melt.

Water labels added to water bottles. Cute colors!

Tinley or "Tin Tin" as Brenley referred to her.


Brody. So cute.

The crew

Birthday girl coloring her cupcake bank

Sami painting a mermaid

Ryan studying the Transformer and seeing if he can replicate.



Harper and Kaitlyn so serious

Emma doing so well

Ornery boys, Joe and Blake

Cheese!

Present time!



I think she likes this one!




Hugging Tin Tin



Showing off her goodies




Big brother looking after the boys
And the goodie bags!