Gretchen turned 5

...more than 6 months ago.  5 is a big deal!  Every once in awhile I think I need to pay more attention or cherish more moments and then 6 months pass and she's on her way to 6 instead of just turning 5.  Such an attached little baby has turned into a little sprite who bounces among all of her friends and favorite things.  Last night she was talking to a tree about it's birthday.  She's become a brilliant master of manipulating her sister "that cheetah dress really doesn't look so great with your brown hair..wouldn't you rather wear this?"  She can write her name! Yes as a matter of fact we think that's pretty amazing.  Yesterday I laid next to her as she was sleeping(since it's really the only time she holds still) and just remembered that darn little crying thing we brought home that changed our life and is now 5 of all things.  Trying to remain a mature composed grown up is pretty difficult these days.  Just have to watch her practically walking on air with joy and forget all about my own sadness with her growing up!  Think I'll go talk to a tree.

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Yes Fina has been wearing these ears nearly non stop for a week now.  Sometimes she has several sets on fox, butterfly, princess, kitty cat, santa hat....last night she was wearing two different high heel with two pairs of slippers on each foot.  She also carries bags and boxes with her. Everywhere.  This may be a "I'm unable to share" thing or an "I don't have my own room" thing or as I prefer to call it a "Fina" thing.  We are a house filled with weirdos so it's difficult to set yourself apart and that's all Fina's doing.  She's a lefty.  She's an "arter".  She even says the "big piece of poop is mommy and the little one is me".  She's crazy.  And she fits in completely.