We weren't going to do a birthday party for Holly. But gathering people together and being with friends is so quintessentially Holly that we couldn't forgo a big old party. She is such a social creature. Five year olds really know what they want! So that was a bit tough, but we managed to compromise on a few things and the party was an overall success. Simple, and yet I found myself sleeping the entire weekend following.

Also, it seems that five year olds like to pose.

5 year olds seem to really know what they want when it comes to birthdays. At least mine did! Holly was completely into kresents (presents) this year, and she had some specifications for her birthday day. Pancakes, crepes and pizza were on the menu. Presents to unwrap. A party with strawberry cake and friends. It was a fun and busy day! Fortunately it began with everyone sleeping in past 8am!

This was our Lego year. Greta gave Holly some animal packets, and my parents gave her a bin of legos. And we went to the Lego store to buy some blocky people (anyone else annoyed with the Lego friends characters? My daughter does not need a curvy lego girl to play with!). Conor's especially excited about the Legos.

We bought Holly a bike with no training wheels. She learned how to ride a 2-wheeler last summer, but we didn't have a reliable one... so she had to relearn yesterday. It took her no time, although she only wants to ride in a circle in one direction. That'll change I think when she gets out there with her neighbor friends. The bike was a bargain and a good find on craigslist. As much as I wanted to buy a $200 bike, $35 sounded a lot sweeter. It was as chill of a day as I could make it because the food prep wasn't super easy and we had her birthday party in the evening.

It was a good day. And it was extra fun to have grandparents to share it with!

I love my Holly Bear. On Sunday, her pigtails were so perfectly messy and she was absolutely adorable, so I took some pictures of her. I am so blessed to be Momma to Holly. She is an amazing child.

For a long time, I've been envious of Moms whose children will sit and color. I am no longer in the green with envy color. A month or two ago, something changed with Holly and she very suddenly wanted to color all the time. I'm not kidding. Greta joined the revolution and is also coloring constantly. It's completely awesome. I love it! It's so fun to see what their artistic little selves come up with. And for Holly, it's really great for her to have a busy activity that she doesn't need my help with. She especially likes coloring pictures for friends and family.

Holly also loves to read. The very best day for books is the day after we've visited the library. She'll spend long spurts of times, slowly flipping through the newly borrowed books. Holly and I also love to read chapter books together. I love children's literature.

Holly is going to Kindergarten in the fall and it's breaking my heart. My coping methods of choice are shopping for school clothes and making school clothes! It's helping!

This is the first of what will probably be too many school dresses. Hoping that the busyness of summer activities keeps me from over-sewing for school. The kid can only wear so much and my girls usually pick favorites! Anyways, I used a peasant dress pattern and this tutorial but I added a bit of extra gathering to the skirt which I have mixed feelings about. I love the big, deep pockets. And this is an excellent color on Holly. Holly was so thrilled to try it on, and very disappointed when it came off. Hopefully that's a good sign. Or maybe that's the trick to ensuring my kids wear what I make for them... a little anticipation.

I'm planning on making Holly one or two knit dresses, one or two woven dresses and a jacket! A skirt or two too... maybe leggings...