Birthday Girl

 How is it possible for my baby girl to be five already?

Just yesterday she looked like this . . .

1st Birthday

2nd Birthday

3rd Birthday

4th Birthday

And now she's 5!

 

We have had a week-long celebration of her birthday, ending today with her getting to choose our dinner and dessert spot.  She enjoyed her favorite pasta at East of Italy and froyo at Orange Leaf . . . no shocker there!

{With a fun ride in a shopping cart in between!}

 Yesterday we also celebrated a special "girl's day" with Mommy and Lili!

We had a "fancy" lunch at La Madeleine.  Getting to drink iced tea might have been the highlight of her day . . . my girl is easy to impress!

Ava also got to pick out a new outfit at Carters.

Then we let the guys join the fun at the movies to see Planes.  This was Grayson's first time in a theater and only Ava's second.  They loved it!

Mommy and Daddy got our Ava girl something special to wear to school!  Grammy and Paw Paw also got her a Saints jersey and new shoes so she is set!

 It is amazing how much Ava has grown in the last year . . . not so much in size . . . she is still under 30 lbs!  

But she has matured in her desire to learn {she is LOVING school}, in compassion, in creativity, in responsibility, in generosity, in seeing and responding to the world around her, and in love for God and for others. 

Psalm 96 continues to be my prayer for Ava . . .

Sing to the Lord, bless his name;

tell of his salvation from day to day.

Declare his glory among the nations,

his marvelous works among all the peoples!

Ava is a joy and an absolute blessing to our family.  To God be the glory for this precious life entrusted to us!