Dear Jayla,

It happened.  You have officially left the toddler club and entered the school-aged club!  I have begged you for at least two years in a row to stop getting older.  In return, you have begged me just as much to please let you grow up. I guess neither one of us have much of a choice in the matter.  So, as a compromise, I decided to have a blast celebrating your 5th birthday! Each passing year is a blessing that I don’t take for granted.

The day officially started when you woke up in your cupcake pajamas.  You explained that cupcakes on pajamas are perfect for birthdays.  You are always finding ways to make each day special.

I made sure to find the strawberry cupcakes that you requested for your party that we had at Pawpaw and Neannie’s. I’m sure the strawberry ones were delicious, but in the end you chose a chocolate one.  🙂

The pizza and bread sticks you ate just before your cupcakes were just as good.  You are a wonderful party planner!

After you ate and Happy Birthday had been sung, you opened your gifts.  You loved your new trampoline from your daddy and me.  You asked your daddy to please put it together right when he got home from work. Of course, he listened and fulfilled your request.

After you jumped for a few minutes, you asked to go to Cracker Barrel.  Mawmaw Wilma and Pawpaw David were waiting for you.  Neannie, Pawpaw Ken, and Grandma came, too! They got to celebrate with you twice in one day.  While you were waiting to eat, you picked out a baby doll to buy with the money Aunt Heather sent you.  Mawmaw also gave you a baby doll!  Baby dolls are your favorite.

Every time you beg me to let you grow up, you always mention that you need to get big so you can be a mommy one day.  If the number of baby dolls that you have when you are little is any indication of how many babies you will have after you grow up and get married, it is obvious that you will be a mommy of many.  The way you take care of your two younger brothers also solidifies the fact that you are going to be a great mommy. You make me proud baby girl!

Don’t ever stop being the outspoken, loving girl that you are.  God created you to shine for Him.  Keep God’s songs in your heart, and you will reach the goals that you have already made. You not only want to be a mommy, but you also want to have your own stage to sing on! The way you love to sing for the Lord is amazing. Thank you for being you. Don’t ever change! Keep on taking care of those babies and keep on singing sweet girl.  Keep on singing! Your 5th birthday was a day I will always remember.

Love Always,

          Mommy  😉

Psalm 95: 1 – O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. (2) Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.

Jayla’s birthday interview:

How old are you? 5

What is your favorite food? Waffles

What do you hope you never have to eat again? Cucumbers

What is your favorite thing to do? I like to play with my baby dolls every day.

What is your favorite animal? Giraffe

What makes you happy? Spending time with Merritt

What is the best memory from when you were 4? Playing with Merritt

What is one thing you’d like to do while you are 5? Gymnastics

What would you like to be when you grow up? A Princess

What is your favorite song? Amazing Grace

Where is your favorite place to eat? Subway

What is your favorite book? Little Critter

Where would you like to go on vacation? Dollywood

What would you like the world to know? About Jesus

Want to see how Jayla has changed over the past 5 years?

https://learninggodsway.wordpress.com/category/lets-reminisce-and-reflect/jayla/