Alena's Golden Birthday

Five years ago we were so anxious for your arrival, not knowing your gender, what you would look like, or what your personality would be.  You have grown up so quickly and have become a smart, sweet, caring five year old.  Turning five is such a monumental moment for parents.  When holding a newborn baby, it's easy to look ahead five years and wonder what things will be like, knowing it is so far away.  However, as life often does, it sneaks up on us, and before you know it you are celebrating your child's fifth birthday.  I'm just glad we didn't have to send you off to Kindergarten too; I don't think I could have handled that.

You are a great big sister and are always looking out for your brother and sister.  You and Lauren play a lot together, role playing and using your imagination to create new games.  She pretty much does whatever you want her to do, although I hope you realize that some day that will change. When you want to rough house or run around, you pair up with your brother.  You're quiet in new situations or around new people but once you acclimate to the situation, you become loud and boisterous.  You have many friends at school and I'll never forget how proud we were of you when you told us you stuck up for the friend in class that other classmates were making fun of.  (It's nauseating to think teasing and bullying can start that early).  Your first question to me every day you get home from school is "what's for dinner?"  You remain a picky eater and I find myself apologizing daily to my parents for being a picky eater too!  I outgrew it so hopefully you will also...

You enjoy school and are starting to learn to read.  Trips to the library will be so much fun once you are reading and I look forward to the day when you can read stories to your siblings.  You seem to have natural athletic ability and have enjoyed two seasons of soccer so far.  Next year you told me you want to play softball/t-ball so maybe we'll give that a try.  We still think you will be a runner as you have a long stride and are quite fast-we're anxious to see what you'll want to do as you get older, but hope that you'll remain interested in sports.

You follow in your daddy's footsteps, asking multiple questions about things throughout the day.  Your mind is always thinking, contemplating, figuring things out; a typical five year old.  When asked what you will miss about our current home, you said the microwave and stove.  When asked if you would miss our backyard, you replied, "no, because we're going to have a HUGE yard to play in."  When asked if you would miss our neighbors, you said "we'll make new friends, Mommy."  And when asked if you would miss being able to walk to our favorite frozen yogurt place, you said "we can just drive there."  Sometimes I wish we all thought like five year olds-optimistic, sincere and honest.  We love you Alena Jane and are so proud of the person you are becoming.

20 Birthday Questions:

What is your favorite color?  Yellow
What is your favorite toy?  Crafts
What is your favorite fruit?  Grapes
What is your favorite movie?  Frozen
What is your favorite TV show?  Wild Kratts
What is your favorite thing to wear?  My Frozen Shirt
What is your favorite animal?  Tiger
What is your favorite song?  "Let It Go"
What is your favorite book?  Berenstain Bears Series
Who is your favorite friend?  Ean
What is your favorite snack?  Granola Bar
What is your favorite drink?  Apple Juice
What is your favorite breakfast food?  Peanut butter toast
What is your favorite dinner?  Chinese
What is your favorite place to go?  The Park
What is your favorite game?  Zingo
What is your favorite thing to do outside?  Ride My Bike
What is your favorite holiday?  Christmas
What do you sleep with?  Eeyore and Piggy and many other random stuffed animals
What do you want to be when you grow up? A doctor

We celebrated your birthday by getting donuts for breakfast then heading to Ames to see Grandma and Papa. You got to pick out a new toy and then decided on where you wanted to eat dinner.  You chose Valentino's and Papa made you homemade apple pie for dessert.  You will have your first friend's birthday party tomorrow.  It will be held at Skyzone, where there are a bunch of trampolines for you and your friends to jump on.  

Over the last year, I've kept track of many of the memorable things you have said:

1/14:
I want to grow up and be a mommy some day and work with mom.

She went to the Science Center with mom alone.  When I asked her if she had fun without the babies being there and she said, "I want them to come next time."  I said, "Isn't it fun doing things by yourself?" and she said "No I always want them to come."

She said she can't wait to be 21 so she can drive. I asked her if she would be OK with driving C and L around too to where they needed to go and she replied "sure."


5/2014:
(While walking back from the park)-"I'm going to marry Landon."  I replied, "oh really?"  She said "well Lauren (friend at school), asked me to marry her but I told her I can't marry a girl."  Then she asked if she could marry Caleb.

6/2014:
She was starting to ask a lot of questions about burning buildings and homes and wondered if our house would burn down and what we would do if that happened.  Finally I reminded her that David was a firefighter and he would come put the fire out. She then replied "I want to be a firefighter."  She also said that if there is a fire, she wants to make sure to grab her box of band-aids and art supplies before leaving the house.

7/2014:
They must have been talking about strangers in school because one day on the way home from the library she started talking about strangers.  She wanted to know where strangers were. I told her strangers could be anywhere and that it was important not to ever get into a strangers car or go anywhere with a stranger. I then probably took it too far and told her that if a stranger ever approached her she was to run away screaming.  Then a little while later she said "I wish I lived in the clouds."  When I asked her why, she said, "because there are no strangers up there."  Then I told her that if she lived in the clouds I wouldn't be able to hug and kiss her. She replied with "you can blow me a kiss."

She questioned Justin why she couldn't marry him or Caleb. Then she asked if she could marry a cousin.  She then said she planned on marrying Ean (friend in school).

8/2014:
While I was washing my face in the evening, AJ asked why I wash my face every day. I told her it was because I had to wash my make up off.  Then she said she will never wear make up, "ewww"  The  next day she asked me to put some eye shadow on her.  She then proceeded to wash it off like I do every night.  She also told me she "never" wants to get her ears pierced

First family photo

Age 1

Age 2

Age 3

Age 4

Age 5