High Five!

The baby in our house is five.  FIVE!  It is nearly impossible to believe that it's been five years since Emma entered this world as an itty-bitty 6lb 8oz baby.  She was feisty then, and along with her "yellow" hair, that characteristic doesn't seem to have an end in sight.  I sometimes laugh to myself about her name.  Steve and I went back and forth for the longest over what to name her, and finally in pre-op decided on Emma Grace, even though that middle name was really Steve's second choice (I was the one going into surgery, so I won).  I remember thinking that it would be such a beautiful and fitting name for our second girl, who was sure to cool, calm, collected ... full of grace.  And it's not that she's not, but ... she sure beats to her own drum marching band. This girl is smart, silly, and strong.  She speaks her mind and stands her ground.  While it tests my every fiber in the meantime, I can't wait to see who Emma becomes.

Emma loves her soccer team.  I love that she isn't afraid to get scrappy.  She is so proud of her big muscles!

 Pre-K at the "big kid school" was a great decision.  She is in heaven, utilizing all parts of the building including the library.

 After birthday donuts at school on Friday, she said to me, "Best birthday ever!"

At five, Emma loves playing school, drinking apple juice, and eating ham sandwiches.  She likes to build with legos and play in the home living center at school.  Her favorite days are the ones she has jobs in her classroom, and she treasures her teachers and friends.  She insists on picking out her own outfits and always thinks she looks fantastic.  Who am I to squash that confidence?  She's a great swimmer, fast runner, decent cartwheeler, and serious "Paw Patrol" follower.  For as much as she tests every limit, Emma is a rule follower and isn't afraid to put herself in charge of friends (or adults, for that matter) who are struggling with the rules.  May her conscience always be her guide.

Happy Birthday to my sweet, intense, independent Emmy.  You are truly one of a kind, five going on twenty; you drive me crazy and make me swell with pride ... sometimes all at once. I know you think you are super big, but you'll always be my baby.  High five!