Happy Birthday Avery

Five years ago today, our lives were infinitely blessed. We had our first daughter, Avery Elizabeth Boone. She was born at 7:33 pm, on May 21, 2007 weighing in at 7 pounds, 12 ounces and 21 inches long.

She was the most beautiful baby I'd ever seen.



Five years later, she is still the most precious little girl in the whole wide world. I am so delighted with her I could get giddy just saying her name. She is happy, lovely, kind and just enchanting. I mean that whole-heartedly. I think I use the word "delightful" often ... but I really can't think of a better word to describe our Avery. She wakes up EVERY morning in a good mood. She "mothers" little kids all the time, always taken the younger ones under her wing. She LOVES people and an outing. She begs to go anywhere she'll have interaction with other kids- especially school. She is easily excited and is hands down one of the most observant and intelligent kids I've ever met. Before bed she'll whisper in my ear things like, "Mommy, I have a great idea: in the morning let's get up early and drink coffee, paint our nails and watch the news! It will be the best day ever!" with a huge grin on her face.

I don't know what else to say except, we're smitten.

She loves anything that feels "schoolish," so an interview was right up her alley.

She was all too happy to answer 20 Questions about herself.

Q: What makes you happy?

A: Spending time with Mommy (I knew I liked her).

Q. What is your favorite animal?

A. My favorite animal is a deer.

Q. What is your favorite thing to eat?

A. Popsicles.

Q. What is your least favorite thing to eat?

A. Broccoli and Carrots.

Q. What is your favorite thing to do?

A. Play on the computer.

Q. What is your favorite TV Show?

A. Jessie

Q. What is something you are really good at?

A. Puzzles.

Q.What is your favorite movie?

A. My Little Pony

Q. What is your favorite color?

A. All the colors you can think of.

Q. What is your favorite song?

A. All the church songs we sing in the car.

Q. Who is your best friend?

A. My best friend is my mother.

Q. What do you and your Mom do together?

A. Me and my Mommy love hanging out; we always love to play together.

Q. What do you and your Dad do together?

A. Me and my Daddy like to practice school together.

Q. What do you and your brothers do together?

A. We like to play house.

Q. What is your favorite sport?

A. Soccer.

Q. What is your favorite place to go?

A. Chuck E. Cheese

Q. What is your favorite bible story?

A. The one about Joseph and his brothers.

Q. What does your Dad do for a job?

A. Sometimes he goes to the courthouse; sometimes he plugs pipes.

Q. What does your Mom do for a job?

A. She takes care of us.

Q. What do you want to be when you grow up?

A. I want to own a farm, that way I can ride horses all the time.

See what I mean?? She's just the cutest.

This year Avery went to pre-school and learned things like mastering the alphabet and reading site words.

She can count to one hundred, do simple addition and has the cutest girly handwriting (which is obviously of the utmost importance). She can't WAIT to go to Kindergarten in the fall ... and I can't believe it's really almost here.

She has become so much more independent this year,  fixing herself small snacks like sandwiches, cereal and drinks. She gives herself baths/showers and changes clothes at least seven times a day. That's really our only arguement (she throws all the clothes that she takes off into her closet floor ... clearly she's headed for trouble). She is a huge help to me with her brothers: she helps them with simple tasks, has changed several diapers, and always lets me know when someone is doing a no-no. She's the eyes in the back of my head that I defintely need with those two silly boys around.

Avery Elizabeth,

You are my dream come true. I always, always dreamed of having daughters and I can't

imagine anyone more perfectly perfect than you. I love that you love doing girly things and try to

be my little mini-me (even wanting me to fix your hair like I have mine every day!). You are God's

absolutely most precious example of grace in my life. You are darling in every way and I can't imagine my life without you ... you bring so much light and enjoyment to every day. I just know we'll be best friends forever.

Love you so much, A.

xoxo,

Mommy