Life with Lauren: 5

5 years old. 5 years old. I keep having to say it to myself, over and over like a mantra, as if saying it enough will actually convince me that our child is truly beyond toddlerhood and well into kid-dom.

The conversations we have with her now are mind boggling. The questions emerge from her, rapid-fire, jumping haphazardly from subject to subject: school, friends, family, birds, the moon, you name it. I love this age, love how mature she is in some ways, digging her heels in to insist she is right about so much, confidently saying things like "But Mama, Shira is having her birthday party at Wildfire Gymnastics, I know she is (when in fact the invitation very clearly states it's at the Build a Bear store). And while at times it would be nice to get her to listen to reasoning a little more, to admit when she's made a mistake, I'll be darned if part of me isn't just bursting with pride to see so much certainty in her eyes, her voice, her entire being.

And the singing - oh, how I love to hear her belt out Glee songs while driving to school, how I peek in the rear view mirror to see her holding her Leapster stylus or anything that could possibly simulate a microphone, with her eyes closed, head cocked to one side, and pure joy in her face.

Then, however, there are still days like today, where we go to a birthday party where she doesn't know any children except for the guest of honor, and she clings to me at first, her eyes big as saucers with tears ready to spill, and in a quivering voice, says "But Mama, I'm shy." I'm the only parent who has to run onto the floor of the gymnastics studio to comfort my girl, wiping her nose and whispering in her ear that of course, Mama will stay very close by and not up in the stands with the other parents. Then, and only then, does she tentatively join the group of frolicking kids, checking back in with me frequently, her eyes searching for mine, and when they lock, I give her an encouraging smile and a big thumbs up. About 15 minutes later, she's screaming just as loudly as the rest of them, jumping into the foam pit and having a grand time. But you know what? Secretly I'm thrilled that she still needs me that much, that we are still so connected, and that she looks to me to steady her when she's not quite so certain.

This girl is going places, I tell ya. I feel so privileged to be on this journey with her.

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The Party.

This year Lauren knew exactly where she wanted her birthday party. I offered to have another party at home, but she wasn't having any of it. Her friend Hannah had a party at a Bears, Buddies & Toys store 2 years ago where the girls got to dress up like princesses, wear tiaras and makeup, stuff an animal, go on a treasure hunt, and have pizza and cake in a castle setting. While I was blown away at the time, I didn't know how much of an impact it had on Lauren.

So we booked the party in January at the same store, only to learn a week later that it was closing. Luckily, there was another location a similar distance from our home, so we re-booked.

Not only did Lauren have 12 little friends join her, but my brother Greg and nieces were in town for spring break, so Lauren's girl cousins got to join us. Add to that her Pop-Pop Mark, former Nanny Kristen and Nanny Lena (my mom and sis-in-law Stacie were in Europe), and the birthday girl could not have felt more special.

[no clue about the hawk flying overhead until I downloaded the photos!]

[Jess, Steph, and Ally, we love you!]

The place is actually a boutique toy store that also hosts themed birthday parties. Since Lauren chose a princess party, the girls first visited the dress-up area, where they could select the gown of their dreams.

Two grown-up princesses (i.e. amazingly sweet, bubbly, and patient high school students hired by the store to help host the party) were on hand to greet and help dress the little ones.

Then helped them apply their tiaras and sparkly makeup.

[Did anyone else notice the change in the tiara? This was the third and winning selection. Hey, the birthday girl's got a right to be selective, no?]

[BFF Virginia getting her glam on]

Even the girl cousins got in on the fun.

[Looks like most reps behind the MAC counter, don't you think?]

*Note: 6 days and as many hair washings later, Lauren still has plenty o' glitter gracing her scalp. I fully expect it to still be there when we celebrate her next birthday.

The birthday girl was a gracious hostess, exuberantly ensuring her friends and family felt welcome at the soiree.

Uncle Greg, Steph and Ally: