Mikayla's 5th Birthday

This June our Mikayla turned 5! Mike & I were off of work the day of Mikayla's Birthday so we took her to one of her favorite summer hangouts, the YMCA Aquatics Center.

Mikayla is an excellent swimmer but has been leery of the diving boards. The day of her birthday she jumped in feet first! This girl has NO FEAR!

After a fun day in the sun, we took our party home for dinner, presents and cake that Mikayla helped me decorate.  For dinner we made her favorite, grilled hot dogs and mac n cheese.  (It's the little things that make birthdays extra special.) Her presents, she loved.  Anything Disney Princess is a hit with Mikayla so we got her this Merida costume, crown and archery set.  A week later when the Brave was released in theaters, Mikayla officially changed her name to Merida!

That following Saturday was Mikayla's Party Day.  We tossed around a lot of options but in the end Mikayla chose a Mc Donald's!  We have never hosted a Micky D's party before but was really happy with our decision. The party assistant was very helpful and the price was unbeatable. Mikayla & her guests had a great time!

Happy Party Day Mikayla! Make a wish!

My best friend's son Cameron & my niece Reese got acquainted!

After Mikayla's party we went back to Mike's parents' house to begin celebrate some more!

Yes, this was Mikayla's 3rd cake and 3rd round of 'Happy Birthday'... but this special day only comes once a year.  We're so grateful to being sharing it with our friends and family. 

Mikayla's 5th Birthday was a bittersweet milestone for us. Mike & I can hardly believe that we will have two children in elementary school this Fall. Mikayla completed VPK with flying colors and is ready for Kindergarten yesterday.  Unfortunately, being ready for Kindergarten included getting 4 shots but Mikayla was a trooper.  She also measured in at 42" tall and 41 lbs.  That's practically a pound per inch!

Our baby  girl!!  5 years old... WHERE has the time gone??