Today You're 5: A Special PEANUT GALLERY

Today you're five years old. You're still so young but you've grown up so much. Just look how little you were such a short time ago:

3/8/07: The young and the clueless

3/08/07: I've never been prouder, more excited,
and more scared out of my mind

That first year was all about discoveries. We got to know you. You got to know us. But we soon realized you were a smart, happy, precocious, opinionated, lovable little girl:

3/08/08: Always and still the center of attention

3/08/08: Luna wore a matching polka dot dress

Then you started to become the person we know and love. The girl with the blonde curls. And that smile. And the stubbornness. The girl who always demands an explanation. The girl who could make the mundane interesting and the routine entertaining. The girl who makes every day a blessing, a new adventure.

3/08/09: A cupcake on her 2nd birthday

3/08/09: Face-to-face with a familiar face

The more you've grown, the more you've explored. But on your terms. On your time. Only when you were ready. After all of that deliberating, you've decided to be fearless. Courageous. Outgoing. Observant. Rambunctious. I'm having a good time keeping up with you.

3/08/10: #3 Our little star

3/08/10: She's made us a family

You have your own tastes. The things you like and dislike. You humor me by playing ball in the backyard in the spring, and tossing a football with me in the fall. Sure, you love to run. You have no fear at the amusement park, riding all of the rides you're big enough to go on. You have an amazingly wild imagination. And you get a huge kick out of making us laugh. But you are, without a doubt, a girly girl. Your passions are dancing and playing dress-up. You love shoes and dresses and fairies and princesses. And I think that's just fine. Because you always make me the king.

3/08/11: Already Loves Shoes

3/08/11: Princess Peanut's Tea Party

Just recently, you told me you want to be a veterinarian when you grow up. I think that's so cool. But I'll be proud of you no matter what, just for being you. Funny, smart, energetic, curious. And I will help you follow your dreams, no matter how often they change. 

You've come so far in such a short amount of time. A short amount of time that's gone by so quickly. But I've enjoyed every minute of it. The ups and downs. The doubts and triumphs. The giggles and tantrums. I'm so glad that I know you. I am a better person for it.

Happy 5th Birthday to my princess. Your dad loves you more than words could possibly say.