Violet is 5!

Violet is FIVE. It's official. The baby is gone, the preschooler is weeks away from moving on up, and we are moving into the next stage in our family's life.

Stace and I aren't sure what to make of this, but no one asked us, and here we are.We are simply trying to appreciate each moment we have with our girls while they're still girls.

Anyway...
Violet's birthday fell on a preschool day, and I worked it out with Miss Lorrie to come in near the end of class Monday to pass out mini cupcakes. Elementary schools here don't allow birthday treats, so this was our big shot at a classroom sweet feast.

After snack time, the children listened to a story on ladybugs, and I assisted with a ladybug craft. The current unit is on lifecycles, especially of ladybugs, and the children even have a box of ladybug larvae they're watching grow and develop.










When the painting was finished, the children were given magnifying glasses to have a closer look at the ladybug books.

After school, Violet painted a piece of pottery at the mall with Grandma, and we then had dinner at Lazy Dog with our favorite waitress. The restaurant was Violet's choice, and she opted for the kids' menu pizza.

Auntie Mel brought over an ice cream, and we all sang "Happy Birthday" one last time.

Then came Violet's next birthday treat - a surprise trip to the Ice Station, which offered a short skating session for $5 each. Bingo!

Here, Violet is roaring like a leopard.

When we got back home, it was late, but the birthday girl had one more gift to open. Cora had used her own money to buy the Calico Critters bear family. She is a very generous girl, and her little sis was so pleased.

Happy Birthday, our BIG little girl! We are so blessed to call you ours.