Maya Turns 5!

 That little girl turned 5 years old!

We started the day off with birthday balloons and birthday pancakes. 

Daddy had to go back to work on Maya's birthday, so we spent the morning at a friend's house for a play date that was actually a special treat because we haven't been able to have too many play dates since starting preschool. After lunch, we met Daddy at the Children's Museum and the girls had a great time playing as usual. We enjoyed pizza for dinner at Mellow Mushroom and our nice waiter brought Maya a bread stick in the shape of the number 5! We ended our day at home with presents and rainbow cupcakes.

Maya is a special little girl to us. She made me a Mommy! This past year had many hard transitions for us but we're hoping this next year is much better. Maya is a wonderful helper at home. Her jobs include making her bed, emptying the dishwasher, cleaning up the toy room, cleaning the bathroom mirrors, and emptying the trashcans. Most days she says, "Ay Ay Matee!" when we ask her to do her jobs. (And if she doesn't, we just add a job to the list!) Maya loves unicorns and princesses and she colors her mommy and daddy hundreds of pictures every day. (literally.) She loves bringing her mommy tulips home from the grocery store. She also loves the free cookies at the grocery store. Maya loves pajama days when she gets to stay in her jammies all day long! She's a good little dancer and is especially sweet and helpful with her sister at Dance Class, making sure Mallory is taken care of and doing what she's supposed to do. Maya has become incredibly photogenic and strikes a pose every time we pull out the camera. Maya has enjoyed her PreK class and loves when it is her turn to be the line leader or the napkin helper. There have been a few little girls who don't always include Maya in things at school, and so she's learned some grown up lessons about what it means to be a good friend. We are proud of how she handles herself in those situations and what a loyal friend she is. Maya still dances through life, and rarely walks anywhere.... instead she is usually prancing or galloping. She loves to be a real life cowgirl with her real life boots that her grandma gave her for Christmas. She also loves talking on the phone with her aunts and cousins and grandparents and will talk your ear off if you aren't careful. Maya asks to bear her testimony at church every Fast Sunday and she consistently remembers when it is time for family scripture reading and prayer. If anything happened in her life in the past, it was when she lived in "Wilder, Vermont." Her pretend brother Alex and sisters Africa and Mia still come to play sometimes. She is inquisitive and demands explanations for everything. Sometimes it is hard keeping up with all of her questions! Her favorite thing in the world is snuggles at bedtime - either from Mommy or Daddy. She opens her heart and tells us about her little life that is surprisingly complex. She has an amazing little memory, though just recently she's forgetting people and things from when she was very little that we thought she'd remember forever. That makes us sad. She's definitely growing up. She's learning how to read more and more everyday. Somedays she is very excited about sounding out her words, and other days she is too tired. It's hard to believe she'll be in Kindergarten next year. (If we can find a Kindergarten to attend, that is!) We love our Maya Papaya. xo

Interview with Maya

Favorite Food: Broccoli Soup

Best Friend: All of the people I know except for Caleb, he isn't very nice.

Favorite thing to do: Go to the beach

She doesn't like to eat: I don't like what Dinosaurs eat, they eat Slomp

What do you like about being a big sister: I like being older and knowing how to read stories to Mallory.

Favorite thing about Primary: I like singing Little Seeds and when it is my turn to pray

Favorite Scripture Story: Noah and the Ark

Favorite Song: I love every song in the world

Favorite Color: Pink, Purple, Blue

Favorite Book: 5 Monkeys Jumping on the Bed

Where do you want to travel: Anywhere except Oklahoma because I do NOT want to get hit by a Tornado

Favorite thing about Mommy: When she snuggles with me at night

Favorite thing about Daddy: Going on adventures with my Daddy because he takes me to get chicken wings

Favorite thing about Mallory: When she makes cute baby sounds

Who is your favorite person to talk to on the phone: Zoey

What do you miss about Vermont: Playing with all my friends

What do you love the most about SC: Going to the beach and getting buried in the sand

Favorite animal: Unicorns and Zebras

How do you feel about being 5 Years Old: I feel good. I'm growing a lot.