Five.

 

I won't get into how impossible it is that five years have passed since I became a mother.  Impossible.  *Blink* where did they go?

The tradition in my family growing up was that the birthday girl (or boy) got so choose the meals for the day.  We've carried that one on in our family, so Jacey set the menu yesterday.  Her breakfast request was Will's signature strawberry crepes.

 

Smart choice, Jacey.  They're good.  Will went into work an hour late so he could make them for her.

Jacey also chose a treat to take to share with her preschool class.  Only after the peanut-butter popcorn balls were made did she tell me that one of the girls in her class is allergic to peanut butter.  Nice timing, Jacey.  (We scrambled up an alternate treat for her.)

After preschool we headed up to meet Grandma Annette at McDonalds for lunch - Jacey's meal request for lunch was a happy meal.  The girls played on the toys for a while while I visited with my Mom.  After that we headed home and Jacey helped me finish her cake while Londyn took a nap.  Will came home early (yes we consider 6:30 "early" these days) so we could have dinner together before our families came over for cake and ice cream.  Will made Jacey conduct the gathering.  (She loves conducting FHE.) 

Some of my favorite things about Jacey:

• She is SO tender-hearted.  She is quick to give hugs, say sorry, and (occasionally) obey.  She gets a thrill out of doing things just to be nice.
• The way she says "wiln't."  "Jacey, please don't do that." "Okay Mom, I wiln't."
• She tries to be a good example to Londyn.  She understands why that's a big deal.
• She is a happy kid.  She doesn't stay upset for long.
• She's quick to express gratitude.  She always tells me at dinner "Thank you for this dinner, Mom.  It's really good!"  (Even when it isn't.)
• She says things like "That's a super cute shirt, Mom."
• She loves to read books.  Early into motherhood I promised myself that I would never say no when my kids brought me a book to read.  I haven't exactly kept that promise, since if I did I would be reading to Jacey 24/7.
• She loves Family Home Evening, Primary, and reading her scriptures (the picture ones).  She loves her Heavenly Father and I honestly think she tries to make Him happy. 
• She constantly promises me that she will still love me when she grows up.

I could go on, but that's the general idea.  I love this girl.  She is good for me.  I'm too hard on her a lot of the time, she deserves a better mom than me but I am humbled and honored that Heavenly Father sent her to our home.  She's gold!