I don't know why, but 5 feels like a huge birthday milestone. That's an entire hand. It's halfway to 10... ! Eep. I remember when she was a tiny new thing, and I looked down at her and often wondered what life would be like when she was 5, and I just couldn't imagine it. It seemed like a lifetime away. And now we're here, already. My happy-speedy-crazy-creative little girl who has changed so so much in this last year it has actually been a shock to see. When she started school last September she seemed so small, so baby-ish still. Now I look over at her while she is sat at the kitchen table reading or colouring and I can see the beautiful young person she is becoming, what she will look like when she is older. It makes me sad in a way that this is happening all too fast. I often find it too easy to say, 'I'm too busy doing this, let me just finish that...' then when I stop and just watch her I curse myself for letting those precious moments pass.

I had this idea in my head forever ago, to dig out my wedding dress and let the girls try it on when they were old enough to not go completely bonkers while wearing it! I was so excited to show Isabelle my 'princess dress'. She was completely over the moon and beyond. WOW she whispered as she opened the box, then so so carefully felt the lace and intricate beads. She was giggling with delight. This was so much fun to do, and so special. Something I can share with her on her wedding day.

Totally happy, completely goofy, this amazing little girl is mine. Happy birthday my beautiful princess, keep dreaming big. We are so immensely proud of you and what you have achieved in such a short space of time.

You are the sun, the moon, the stars.

♥♥♥