Dahlia is FIVE!

Dahlia Lasky makes us laugh, amazes us, surprises us, makes us crazy, and continues to fill our hearts with endless amounts of love. Everyday I'm surprised by how much of a kid she is, and how un-babylike she is. We have long, meaningful conversations (Mama, how long does it take to get to the sun? What is a criminal? What is it like to be poor? Why can't you marry somebody you just met?), she lectures her little brother (Milo, you CAN'T go outside in the rain without shoes. It's too wet and cold and you'll get sick or step on something. Come here right now and put on your shoes.), and she comes home from pre-school teaching us things we didn't know before (When you do you something nice for me it fills my bucket AND yours.).

We are proud of her for so many reasons they are hard to name. She's brave, she's kind, and smart. And I think she's turning into a very well-rounded little person in that even though she's very girly and likes typical girly things, she is also very athletic, very tough, and very hardworking.

I interviewed our big girl for her 5th birthday posting. Here it is.

What are some of your favorite books? Magic School Bus books, Ivy and Bean, Chrysanthemum, and poems. And books from the library, like Chicken Little.
What do you like about Chrysanthemum? Because they all want to be named after a flower because the teacher is.
Favorite dinner? Slippery noodles (udon soup)
Favorite dessert? Vanilla and chocolate ice cream
Favorite movie? FROZEN!
Why? Because it has Olaf the funny snowman. They are actually ALL my favorite except the bad guy, Hans.
Who are your best friends? Sophia, Tula, Riley, and Marianne
Favorite things to do? Play hide and seek, go to school, listen to the Frozen soundtrack and dance and sing, play with my princess castle, write words, having picnics together, dressing up, and painting with my water paints.
Place you like to go? The park, camping, swimming, seeing butterflies.
What is something you are proud of? Not biting my nails anymore, Milo going peepee and poopoo in the potty, being able to ride my new big girl bike.
What are things you do not like? Sushi, fish I've tried, getting shots.
Favorite Flower? Tulip, Rose, and Dahlia
What is your favorite animal? Giraffes and zebras because they look pretty. Giraffes have long necks and eyelashes and their spots make them pretty.
What is your favorite thing about your brother? When he wears matching pjs with me and when he plays everything with me.
What's exciting about this next year of your life? KINDERGARTEN!
What's your favorite planet? Earth because it looks pretty on the globe. And Uranus because it looks pretty because it's blue.
It seems like you really like things that are pretty. YES!
Can things be your favorite if they are not pretty? No. If they are not pretty I don't like them.
Even people? Yes, I can still like them.
PHEW!

Happy Birthday Dahlia Rae! We love you past all the planets in our solar system and beyond, and back.