Today Zoë turned 5.  FIVE.  I just can’t wrap my brain around the fact that my little baby girl isn’t so little anymore.  This week, which started with her losing her first 2 teeth, ends with her turning 5.  Five.  Maybe if I keep saying FIVE it won’t seem like such a big deal.  Five.  Five.  FIVE.

No, still seems like a big deal and makes me feel really old.  Okay, so I am old, but it’s still such an important milestone.  She woke up this morning with a huge smile on her face and it’s been plastered there pretty much all day.

I can hardly believe that this little girl is ours and I am so blessed and lucky to get to be her mom.  She never ceases to amaze me and her spirit is so powerful and sweet.  She loves fiercely and completely.  She is destined to break hearts and to have her broken, but she has a confidence that is already developing that will take her through those difficult times.

She is really starting to blossom and she is a born drama queen–in all senses of the word.  She is prone to eye rolling, head shaking, door slamming episodes because her hair isn’t right or she can’t find the right clothes.

Everything is “so special,” so please set your DVR for a special episode of hoarders in 20 years featuring Zoë.

She is growing so fast and approaches so much in life with an excitement that I have never seen before and I know that this zeal and zest for life and adventure will take her very far in life.

Her sense of humor is fabulous and it is clear that being a bit of a joker is a big part of her personality and not just at home but also at school and with her friends.

I was a parent ambassador at the kids school today and was talking with one of Zoë’s teachers and she told me a story about something Zoë did and said in class that really captures her.  The kids were all supposed to so doing something and Zoë was sitting off to the side doing something else.  One of her teachers approached her and asked her what she was supposed to be doing and if she was doing it.

Zoë said: “I know what I am supposed to be doing, but I want to be doing this.”

I laughed because that captures her independent spirit that I hope she never loses.

Happy Birthday Zoë–keep shining, keep smiling, keep laughing, and keep enjoying life.

Love you sweetie–I am so happy to be your mom.