{{ Miss Mak has changed. One of the most obvious changes is the addition of glasses. Right when school started, we discovered her need for glasses.}}

Today is the last day of school. I've never been okay with changes, but I've learned to adjust a little over the years. I can't believe that four of my children will be away from home all day next year. It seems like I was just that mama who stayed home with her little girls watching Dora, playing outside, and enjoying impromptu trips to the park. In hindsight and with my nostalgic lenses on, those times were sweet and simple. We weren't tide to a soccer schedule, and I didn't have to have dinner prepped by 3 so we could be away from home all evening. I do know I was tied to a nap schedule and dinner was sometimes impossible to cook since I had so many little babies, but it was such a sweet time in life. And the further we seem to drift away from that season, the more I miss it. But that isn't to say that I don't enjoy this season of life.

{{ Miss KK grew some hair. She didn't stop wearing glasses, but today marks day 3 of the case of the missing glasses. She looks taller to me!}}

I love watching them learn. Seeing my children go from not reading to excelling in reading is beyond amazing. Watching them develop friendships, that I pray last a life-time, is precious. I love seeing them fall in love with their teachers each year. My children adore their teachers and I know it's because they are deserving of it. To be able to turn my most precious gifts over to these individuals each day is truly a gift. I always pray my children will end up in the classroom that is perfect for them, and I must say that has proven to be true since the very beginning.

 {{Keira's face became more angled. She just looks older!}}

So, on this last day of school, I will try my best not to shed a tear out of sadness and missing this stage in life. Instead, I will try my best to simply focus on all the fun we get to have this summer because I am BEYOND THRILLED to have my babies home all summer. 

 {{This girl chopped a bunch of hair off and grew taller. Where did my little baby go?}}

Happy Birthday Miss Mak!

Sweet Mak turned five years old recently. I don't really think I've processed this yet. That means I have to process the fact that she is starting kindergarten in a few short months, and I'm just not ready to do that. Frankly, right now I don't have an extra three hours to cry my eyes out. I don't have the emotional stability it takes to be a mom sometimes--and moving a baby up to kindergarten is one of those times.

But before I get too far ahead of myself, let's talk about her birthday.





This sweet baby turned five!

The night before her birthday, Daddy decorated our breakfast nook. We like to make the birthday person feel special.

Here she is sitting in her decorated chair!

 Her goody bag came with plenty of treats. HK bandaids, a swirly straw, safe gummy bears, GF Graham crackers, a T&J movie, some pretty bracelet making material, a pkg of Annie's bunnies, and some blocks of sidewalk chalk.

 I think she enjoyed it all!

 All ready for her special day!

This straw has magical powers!

I'm not sure what they were talking about, but I think Keian was making a point of some kind.

Sweet Peach game Mak some very nice gifts. She wrote to her and also made her a HK doll out of paper and stuffing. 

She went to school and celebrated with her friends there. She brought juice pouches and chocolate cupcakes with chocolate frosting. I got to stay in her classroom and watch for little bit. I can tell just how much her friends mean to her. I'm so glad she has a wonderful preschool to go to every day!

I can't forget to mention this dress she's wearing. Mak is a fancy girl and she likes to look fancy. This is a dress we call the princess dress. She looked very princess-y in it!

For lunch, Grammy took us out to eat. The Birthday Girl chose CFA--of course! Thank goodness they have gluten free nuggets and a safe fryer!

When everybody got home that night, we ate a special dinner that was requested by Mak. She wanted my homemade gluten and dairy free mac and cheese, fish sticks, and fruit.

 She chose a no-bake cookie for dessert. These are pretty easy to convert so my whole family can eat them (taking everybody's different dietary needs into consideration, these are made with almond butter, gf certified oats, flax milk, & vegan butter). And even with all these changes, they still taste really good!

And of course we opened presents. Can you tell my girl likes HK?