And then she was 5.

Just like that our baby girl is five years old. It seems like just yesterday that we welcomed our little 6 lb. 5 oz. peanut into the world. We were amazed by her... and still are today. She taught us to be parents. She made our hearts grow larger than we ever could have imagined. She has made us laugh countless times. She has become a big sister; the best sister ever. She is happy. So happy. She is sensitive, funny, loving, sweet, energetic, excited, curious, smart and beautiful inside and out.

She had a very fun and busy day yesterday. Daddy had to go out of town yesterday morning but surprised her with a delivery of birthday cookies! He knows the way to his baby girl's heart!

A whole hand old! WOW!

At 5, Kylie:

-Is in her 2nd year of preschool and LOVES it

- Plays soccer

- Takes gymnastics... and loves practicing handstands (she gets this honestly)

- LOVES playing outside with her wonderful neighbor friends

- Loves riding her bike and scooter

- Loves swinging

- Loves the park

- Barbies are a new fave

- Still loves Strawberry Shortcake

- Becoming a little more of a girly-girl but can keep up with the boys just fine.

- Has a funky little style... likes to pick out her clothes, hairstyle, accessories

- Loves rainbows

- Loves glittery, sparkly things

- Is so nice to her little brother and so patient

- Loves to go to the library and to be read to

- Loves crafts- painting, coloring, beading

- Loves electronics... iphones, ipads, computers

- A great eater still- has a 2 egg omelette with ham and cheese and a side of hash browns every single Saturday at our local breakfast joint

- Enjoys singing and dancing

- Obsessed with "lip chack" (lip gloss/chap stick)

- Wants to marry Gavin

- So observant and has an amazing memory

- Slightly OCD about some things... likes things done her way!

- Loves animals

- Has a sweet tooth

- Has brightened our world in the last 5 years more than we ever thought possible!!

Pre-K: Year 2.

Kylie had her first day of her last year of Preschool last week (could I have made that sentence any more confusing?). She was looking forward to school starting since all of her neighbors started a week or two before her. Mommy was dreading sending her little girl off to school for 3 mornings a week... but a little Target therapy cheered her right up! ;)

Can't believe this girl is going to Kindergarten next year. Hoping for a really sloooow year. I'm not ready for that "K" word yet! :(

Here's my almost 5 year old posing for a few shots before we left for day 1.

Of course, she had to wear a rainbow shirt and her beloved boots!

So proud of my sweet KyKy!

Daddy was there for the parents' orientation so we got this cute shot...

And this little guy wasn't about to be left out. He jumped on that curb to pose just like big sister.

Gav LOVES going to Kylie's school! Fortunately I don't have a picture of Gavin losing his mind after dropping Kylie off for her 2nd day and realizing that he wasn't getting to go, too. Poor guy was broken-hearted! He asked nearly 50 times, "sis all done with peeschool?"

Little guy was all better after a trip to Dunkin' Donuts and Target.

And some solo mommy time never hurt, either.

Before picking her up, we stopped into the cupcake store so he could pick out a cupcake for his sister.
This definitely put a smile on his face!

And hers, too.!

I lied.

Ok, this might be the last of the HHI photos! :)

These are just a random assortment of fun times.

The fam before dinner...

The house...

One morning we visited the local petting farm/zoo on the island. The kiddos loved our time there! They got to ride a pony, feed goats, horses, pigs, donkeys and even a deer named Callie that just roams around with a collar on!

Ky with the pony she rode...

Gav on the pony

Feeding Harley! (Gav was a few steps back... he didn't trust this giant horsey!

Such a handsome fella!

Back to the beach...

Kylie's one wish (besides the "spray shirt"... see below) was to fly a kite on the beach. Daddy, being the Super Dad that he is, got her a kite (rainbow, of course) and waited until the perfect windy evening to fly it. It was a success and Ky's vacation was complete!

Our evening beach time at Hilton Head is absolutely divine! My favorite time.

These two rascals enjoyed their bonding time together...

On our walk home from the beach one evening, I had the kiddos stop on the golf course so I could snap a few pics... the sunset was breathtaking!

Kylie was determined to get a "spray shirt" after seeing them at Zoombezi Bay a few months earlier. I assured her that we would find an airbrush stand and get one made for her. Well, girlfriend does not forget a thing! She reminded us every day about the spray shirt until we finally took her.

And it couldn't just be any old generic image either. Oh no, this is Kylie we're talking about and she definitely knows what she wants. The shirt had a few requirements: it must have a rainbow (colors have to be in correct order- ROYGBIV), a butterfly, a diamond, and her name. Poor airbrush spray man had his work cut out for him! In the end, Ky was thrilled with her "spray shirt"! And she came away with more than just a shirt... she now knows what she wants to be when she grows up: a spray shirt- maker! At least we'll have a nice vacation spot to visit! :)

Until next time...

Can't stop...

Ok, I think this will be the final vacation post... but maybe not.

Gavie and big cuz, Kenny!

On the beach for some family portraits.

We had a good time and got some nice photos despite the crazy wind that evening.

The whole clan.