The "One Whole Hand" Birthday

Our sweet Liliana Kathryn turned 5 years old today! Or, as Lily says  it, "one whole hand old."

I truly can't believe that she's already 5. It feels like she was just born. I mean, she was just a baby yesterday, right?!?

Birthdays in our family are a BIG deal. Grant and I firmly believe that childhood birthdays deserve to be celebrated fully.  We have so many favorite birthday traditions and we go all out to make sure their birthdays are special while they're young!

The birthday fun started on Tuesday evening. Lily decided to join me for a donut run and when it's your Birthday Eve, you get a 3 1/2 foot stuffed dolphin!

Lily decided to stay up until midnight to greet her birthday. She was greeted with birthday smooches from her siblings, then everyone was sent to bed. And even though I had a lot to do, seeing her huge grin when we sang happy birthday to her at midnight was a very special moment!

While she slept, the birthday decorations came out, balloons were blown up, birthday letters were written and presents were wrapped.

When Lily woke up, she was officially 5 years old! She was so happy and full of excitement! She woke up to a room filled with balloons and immediately got to open two small gifts.

 

On their birthdays, our kids get a special donut breakfast complete with the birthday song and a candle. Every birthday should start out extra sweet!

They also get a special birthday outfit, which can be found hanging somewhere in their room when they wake up. Lily loved her beautiful "5" shirt!

 

{Shirt-The Hairbow Company} 

Even though my heart is a bit broken over how quickly she's growing up, I know Lily's going to rock 5 years old!

For Lily's special birthday outing, we spent the entire afternoon at the pool with best friends! Everybody had a great time!

After we got home, we fit in a really quick birthday photoshoot. This is just a sneak peek at the upcoming pictures!

Lily took a quick post-swimming nap while we waited for Grant to get home from work. When he did, Lily got to choose where to go for dinner. Of course, McDonald's won!

As soon as we arrived home, my parents and Grant's mom came over for a mini birthday party. Presents came first because Lily couldn't wait any longer! (Lily just wanted one small thing for her birthday, so I ended up turning to Target clearance to help me out with the rest of her gifts. I'm not going to admit how many gifts I bought her, but let me just say that everything was over 75% off!)

Each of her siblings gave her a special gift, too!

The extra special gift that Lily requested was a hit! She loves her stuffed Rarity!

 

Lily was so thrilled with every present she opened. Her jaw would drop and she would exclaim, "Thank you!!! I love it!" She also loved her special Frozen Birthday card with a handwritten note from me and her special 5th Birthday book with an inscription (both are favorite birthday traditions). She truly did love everything, but she seemed most excited about the ballet clothing my parents bought for her (lessons are included)! 

We ended the evening with cake and ice cream! My mom makes our kids a special cake for their birthdays. This pudding filled cake with whipped buttercream frosting was delicious!

With one final birthday song, the party ended and the grandparents got ready to leave. 

 

After everyone left, Lily found a new pair of birthday pajamas in her room then enjoyed a few snuggles with Grant and me!

Our sweet Liliana had an amazing 5th Birthday! She's now resting up for all the HUGE milestones ahead of her this year.

Here's a glimpse of sweet and sassy Lily at 5 years old: 

To find out how I REALLY feel about those fleeting moments in childhood, you can read my post today on Pittsburgh Moms Blog!

"I vividly remember the day my youngest daughter was born. We raced to the hospital as I screamed in agony. We arrived in the middle of the night to a completely silent labor and delivery floor. As the sun rose over the Pittsburgh skyline, our beautiful child quietly entered the world. When she drew her very first breath, in that tiny sliver of sunlight, it took my breath away. It seems like that moment was just yesterday, but childhood is fleeting.  I blinked and somehow my sweet Liliana is celebrating her 5th Birthday."

Happy 5th Birthday, Liliana Kathryn! You are SO loved and so special!

LET'S BE FRIENDS!

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