Dear Laruen,
I can't believe you are a whole 5 years old!! It has been such an honor to be your mom. I love watching you grow into a little girl. I remember holding you in my arms for the first time. Your tiny little body, your big blue eyes, my baby girl. It is one of the moments in my life that I wish I could have bottled that feeling. It was pure euphoria. But the real bliss has been seeing you confront challenges, from walking to a bully in the playground, and tackle them with ease and grace. The years use to crawl, but now they fly. I question all the time the way I raise you. I hope I do you justice. I hope, above all ealse, that you feel the love I have for you. My princess you truely are.
Love Mommy
Usually for Lauren's birthday, we are out in California. For her third birthday, it was Chucky-Cheese. For her fourth, we went to some kind of Kid fun zone. Always, we are surrounded by our sweet California family. This year, I was totally planing on throwing her her first ever friends birthday party. But with my working and having absolutly no time to even clean my messy messy house, I just didn't get around to it. I am hoping that come spring time, I can still pull off a fun un-birthday party for her and her cute friends. I am grateful for her fun loving spirt, because she just didn't seem to care. Just as long as I let her have her way all day because, as she pointed out all day long, she was the birthday girl. She wanted brownies for breakfast, because she was "the birthday girl." She wanted to wear make-up, because she was, after all "the birthday girl." She wanted to watch Bueaty and the Beast all day long on a continuous loop because she was-yep, you guessed it, "the birthday girl." And really, it was the least I could do. Fortunatly for Lauren, we got a box of toys from our ward and my dad and Rita came by to bring her gifts as well. And without all of the usually fan fare, we sang "happy birthday" and let her blow out candles on her home made cake. She is the sweetest thing. So smart and sassy. I love her so much. I endevor every day to be worthy of her as a daughter. She certinly is a speacial little girl.
Lauren loves her Candy land game. We play it at least 10 times a day!! (please ignore her wonderful make-up job. Like I said, I let her put on make-up for her birthday)
Singing "Happy Birthday" and blowing out her candles. When I asked her what she wished for, she said that everyone would have "peace and love for their whole life." Yea-I think she is practicing for Miss America. I am always cold, that is why I am wearing my coat. And thanks Kelly, for the coat. She read on my facebook that someone stole my coat at work, so she gave me one. I have the best friends ever!
Lauren and Evan digging in to the cake. No need for plates or utinsles. Why waste time with all of that? Needless to say, they were the only ones to eat cake that night.
And, again, please ignore the fact that Evan is always pantless, shirtless, or both. I can't keep clothes on the kid. It stays on for maybe 10 min, if I am lucky, and then they are off. He preferes to walk around as nature intended..in his diper.
Here she is showing Grandpa and Grandma some of her loot. Then it was time to say good-bye.
Lauren had a quiet birthday this year. I don't think she really minded. As long as all eyes were on her, she was fine. I love her so much. She is this little lady who graces our lives everyday with 5 year old wisdom and lots of laughter. Happy Birthday Lauren!!
