Happy Birthday!

Even though her birthday came and went in April I simply could not go on if I did not document this spunky little miss's milestones.  The fact that it is July when I am doing it can attest to the fact of how busy this little one keeps me!  

Dear Miss Layla,

You have been a firecracker from the time you were little.  You can keep yourself entertained for hours on end in the imaginary world you live in.  You're pleasant and animated and come with plenty of dramatic flare.  When sleep deprived you can roar better than most angry bears and we like to make sure you keep up on your sleep.  Many times you play in your room until the wee late hours designing crafts and imagining your perfect world.  Just the other night you yelled out after I thought you had been fast asleep that,  "in the morning you thought we better make some outfits for one of your stuffed animals".  You never play with babies only stuffed animals that are all named flavors.  We take Cherry (moose), Vanilla(horse), Coco(bear) every where we go.  I took a minute to teach you how to relax and shut your mind off so that it could go to sleep.  You love horses and can be found prancing around the house all day with a stick pony or Spirit (your other stuffed animal).  Creativity is always oozing and oozing from you, each day you have an adventure or party planned.  You have taught yourself to write even though you are only five and can spell and read so many words.  You are athletic and love to run with your daddy.  You did a Spartan race and just had to have a Spartan themed birthday party this year.  You have a super big crush on two boys in our little town.  I must mention that because who knows if you will fall in love one day and want to know where true love started.  They are the Shaner boys, Adler and Shea!  You love Adler's freckles and think Shea is "tote adorbs"!  Knew and Jager take a close 3rd and 4th.  You make us smile and every day create messes that span the entire square footage of our house.  One day you came out just beaming, "mom, where do you want me to make my mess today".  (I must stop calling it a mess).  You are the perfect caboose to our family and we know that God had a huge hand in placing you in our home and hearts forever.  We love you so much gorgeous girl.  

Love,

Mom and Dad

You love your Nana and apparently your own fashion style!  Digging the blue bow with the pink tights!

Or,

This lovely outfit when you were supposed to be in bed but came out packed and insisting we go to a hotel.  You went through a big hotel phase and really wanted to live in one for a while.  For a four year old you truly are in search of the "lavish life"

When you were four you participated in a cheer camp and decided that your future had been sealed.  Cheerleading became your love and we had many family home evenings watching and learning cheer routines with you!

Your 5 year old birthday was a splash!  The Spartan obstacle course that your dad set up proved to be a hit (he would do anything for his daddy's girl)!  You had fun and just couldn't stop talking about it for a week after.

!

Layla and her "loves"

You make friends easy and we love the friends you have!

Katelee and Jessie

Chloe - Tegan - Destri - Adler - Shea - Jessie - Janessa-Melia - Katelee

Layla only had eyes for Adler! 

You had a great party with family that night and I realized I forgot the sunscreen.  Mother of the year for me for causing pain on a birthday.

Hit of the night,

The singing firework candle straight from China.  It never stopped singing until dad smashed it a day after your birthday.  You on the other hand thought it was the best item of the day!