Baumhover Babble: Five Years Old... and a little

Last photo of a 4 year old...

First photo of a FIVE year old!

Aubrey turned 5 in early November, but with the holiday Christmas card rush (all orders complete, hoorah), I really haven't had the time to properly devote to this momentous occasion until now. Aubrey was really just so excited about turning 5, more so than she has ever been about a birthday. Maybe because she knows she gets to start Kindergarten when she's five (still in denial about that one). Anyway, she woke up on her birthday to find a new bike in the kitchen (someone in the family ran over her old one with the car, and it wasn't me). Since her birthday was on a Tuesday, she was at school and got to wear a special birthday crown. I came during their lunch to surprise her with ice cream for the class. We had a nice celebration at home that night with her favorite dinner (Shrimp Enchiladas), a few more gifts, and a chocolate cake.

We decided to change things up a bit this year and not have a big party. She was more than thrilled with the alternative, which was a trip to Sea World! She got to bring one friend, and she chose Miss Alivia. So on the following Saturday, we dropped Henry off with Miss Alice (THANK YOU), loaded up the girls and headed to Sea World. We stopped for Aubrey's favorite lunch, Chik-fil-a and then made it to the park right after they opened at noon. The girls had an absolute blast. We watched every show and they rode the Shamu Express roller coaster at least 4 times. Each girl got to pick a sweet snack, and Aubrey chose her favorite, chocolate ice cream. Alivia went with cotton candy, which she happily shared with Aubrey. The weather could not have been more perfect and they were truly wiped out! A quick stop at Wendy's for dinner (I have heartburn just thinking about what we ate that day) and we headed home. I felt sure at least one of them would fall asleep, but they talked THE WHOLE WAY HOME. They pretended to ride the roller coaster and talked about the shows. Poor Alivia kept saying she was so tired, but Aubrey just wouldn't shut it down, so she never had a chance to sleep! Thank you Christy and Matt for entrusting us with sweet Alivia. Aubrey had an amazing birthday with her dear friend!

She LOVES riding her bike, we've tried without training wheels, but she's not quite ready.

Eating her requested lunch, mac and cheese!

She also got her first pets, two African Dwarf Frogs. She named them Tinkerbelle and Rosetta. The best part is you only have the clean the tank once a year and they are supposed to live 1-3 years. Well, poor Rosetta (R.I.P) only made it about a month. Aubrey was devastated. Luckily, the store where I bought them said they would replace her (thanks Learning Express).