All About Baylie

Today was Baylie's fifth birthday. She has been waiting FOREVER to turn five (or at least for 4 1/2 years). She has been talking about this day ever since her last birthday. I put her presents out a week ago so that she had to look at them and live with the anticipation. (This may sound cruel, but my mom did it to me, so I do it to my kids.)

Jalen woke up at 5:00 a.m. (as usual) and found Baylie's new kitchen. (Thanks to the Mousers for the hand me down.) He was so excited to play with it, but I wouldn't let him until Baylie had seen it. So, he woke her up! They had a blast playing with it all day long. We had plastic food everywhere.

Next we headed to Music Makers where Baylie danced, 

and danced (with ribbons),

and danced (with instruments).

And Jalen played the xylophone.

She had a great time with many of her closest friends.

She shared cupcakes with them.

Photo by Baylie.

Sprinkles by Baylie.

Our next stop was dance class. Baylie LOVES her dance class. She is a great little dancer. Today was especially fun because her daddy left school early so he could watch. She kept looking for him and was so excited when he made it. 

She shared cupcakes with her dance friends too. (Jalen smashed a bunch of them for some inexplicable reason.)

Next we went home and she FINALLY got to open her presents.

I should note that she totally posed for this photo. She is always aware of the photo opportunities around her.

Jalen was overcome by the generosity and gifts bestowed upon his sister.

Daddy and Baylie played with her new Polly Pockets. 

Baylie requested pizza for her birthday dinner. She did not want homemade pizza. She wanted "somebody else to make it."

Her cake. I thought it would be the easiest cake ever. It probably is, but I am not historically known for my cooking prowess. She like it, and that's all that really matters.

We added a Tinkerbell candle.

Jalen recovered enough to join us for the cake and ice cream.

Baylie is truly a joy to have in our home. She is bright and witty. She is a hard worker and a good sister. She tries so hard to make good choices. I often catch myself looking at her and feeling amazed that she is my child.

I will never forget standing in line at Kohl's and sobbing as I read the text that said, "Congratulations, it's a girl." I know that's not how most moms learn about their daughters, but it was heaven on Earth for me.

Note: Baylie was given the choice of having a real birthday party or going to visit her cousins in Las Vegas. She chose Las Vegas, so we're going there in April.