Five years old

Happy Birthday to my first baby!
Zora turned five yesterday, and she had an exceptionally lovely day. She started off with speech class at the local elementary school, where she heard her name as it was read over the loudspeaker. After that, we went to preschool, where Mrs. Parks had her crown waiting. Zora got to be the first in her class to celebrate a birthday at school, demonstrating to the new students how the earth moves around the sun five times. I was the working parent, so I was there to see her enjoy her day.

After school, we went home, and Zora got to ice the cake that her granny made for her. Granny, Grandma & Grandpa all came to eat dinner with us, and we had Zora's favorite meal. When Zora opened her presents, she was delighted again and again, and said more than once, "this is what I always wanted!" Her requests were as follows: a ballerina doll, a new water bottle with a straw, a music player and a tiara. Zora was more than happy with an old ipod nano loaded with the soundtrack to The Sound of Music.

As someone who has had her share of birthdays, I can remember lots of years when my birthday wasn't as great or as special as I might have hoped for it to be, but this birthday for my girl sure seemed to meet or exceed expectations.  As a parent, that is as good as it can possibly be!
I am so pleased to have a daughter that brings joy to so many people, and who is so beautiful inside and out.  Zora tries to be perfect and works hard to do the right thing.  She is loving and kind, and she wants everyone to be happy.  Making her wishes come true for her birthday seems to be the least we can do.