Ayla is 5

These kids just keep growing!!

Remember when you were a kid and every adult you saw made some comment on "How much you had grown" or "Last time I saw you you were knee-high to a grasshopper!" or something of the like. I remember thinking that grown-ups had this weird obsession with kids growing that made very little sense. They were so amazed every time, as if they had forgotten it existed and were shocked to discover that it happened every single day. I swore I would never say silly things like that to or about kids when I was a grown-up.

I was wrong.

In a way, my scoffing at grown-up thoughts were not too far off. You see, we adults don't change a whole lot. Little by little yes, but these kids often seem to grow overnight and it feels like magic! So, annoyed as I remember being as a kid when adults would make comments about me growing, I find myself doing it now! I stand completely amazed every day as these kids make leaps and bounds before my very eyes, a very real kind of wild magic, truly breathtaking.

As most of you know, we started a tradition a  few years back. I interview my kids every year around their birthdays so we can see how they have grown in the last year. I am always amazed at their answers. Sometimes so very wise for their years, sometimes so very silly. But always fun! Here is last years' interview if anyone is feeling nostalgic:

And for your reading pleasure, my Ayla at 5 years old:

What is your name? Ayla

How old are you? fou...I mean five!

What grade are you in? Umm....I don't know.

What does your mommy do all day? Clean! (I asked for clarification - like what do I clean, what is the name of my job, what else do I do, etc and she was adamant  According to Ayla, I clean all day, everyday. I wish I could say she was entirely wrong...)

What does daddy do all day? Work (Again I attempted to get details and all she would say is "Work to get some money" She seems to have not a clue what kind of work Daddy actually does...I will admit I am sketchy myself on those details at times)

'What do you like to play with mommy? I like to play....Hide and seek!

What do you like to play with daddy? I like to work with Daddy. I like to help him do his work like sweeping outside.

What advice would you give your parents? NICE! (sounds reasonable)

What do you do all day? I go to school. Does that word spell school? (pointing to word) Wow! That is a long word!

What is your favorite part of school? Going outside! (Taylor: [in her bossiest voice] Ayla I think that is called recess.) Going outside! But sometimes I get kind of cold outside. 

What is your favorite color? Green, Blue, Every color! But green, blue and pink are my favorite color. 

Why do you like being a kid? Because I go to school and I am trying to read. 

What do you want to be when you grow up? I want to be a Mama Doctor (Do you want to be a doctor for Mama's or a Dr. and a Mama?) A Doctor AND a Mama. I want to be both. 

Where do you want to live when you grow up? I want to live in a hotel and work at the hotel! I want to be a Mama, a Doctor and work at a hotel!

What is your favorite food? Peanut Butter and Jelly and Lunchables!

What is your least favorite food? Is NOTHING!

What do you like to play with your sisters? Hide and Seek. But sometimes Kaylee doesn't want to play with me. But sometimes she does want to play. I like Hide and Seek. 

What are your friends names? Sammy is my friend. And Michael and Alexis and Sophie and Jack and Ayla! I am my friend too. Mama that one says "Ayla!" You know I am my friend too mama? Ayla is my friend. Is that silly!?!

What is your favorite thing to wear? Dresses. Because I love summer to get HOT. (So says the child in the middle of February). 

What is your favorite book? I don't know, I am going to go look! I like the storybook Bible (we had just read it, so it was easy to spot!) Because I like God!

What is the grossest thing you can think of? Goo. (T: I would say Rat Brains) And rat brains! I don't like rat brains. Here! Have some rat brains Mama! (hands me imaginary rat brains)

What is your favorite toy? Baby dolls. And squeaky, my whistling toy I got at the zoo!

What is your favorite thing to help Mommy do? Sweep the Kitchen floor (gotta get this kid her own broom I guess!)

What is your favorite thing to do outside? Climb the Elephant. Wow Mama "Climb" is a long word! (when I write fast I guess I don't put large spaces between my words!)

Where do babies come from? From tummies.

Where do you like to go in the car? I like to go to the beach

Where do you live? I live here! In the United States of America with everybody! (spoken like a true american?)

What do you like about being 5? I like to be 5 and not pick my nose anymore. (T: Ayla you could have done that when you were 4) Nope. I just pick my nose with tissues and sometimes I still put my hands on my nose like this. See? (puts hands on her nose, but to her credit, does not pick it!)

What new things can you do now that you are 5? Oh I can get clothes that don't fit me. 5T clothes, because they are too small. I can get new underwear and I DON'T LIKE RAT BRAINS! 

Ah me - these girls keeps me entertained!  

Ayla is getting so mature. She has very little interest in things, she likes people the most. She is very generous with her toys, she loves to share. Someone playing pretend with Ayla means she is in absolute heaven. She is getting very good at gymnastics  she has the strong frame for it. School is hard for her, but she loves learning so she keeps at it. She is making good choices with her attitude and trying not to use whining voices, something we have been working HARD on. She doesn't like it when she doesn't get her way, but she is learning. She is getting better at cleaning her room and has gotten so good at drawing pictures. She loves her sisters so very much, gives wonderful hugs, makes a ferocious pirate, loves climbing EVERYTHING and collecting rocks and bugs. She is so sweet and loving to her family and I can say without a doubt that she is my very favorite 5 year old in this whole entire world. 

I love you so very much my Ayla. I am so glad you are you!

Love forever, your Mom