Kathlena's 5th Birthday

Our sweet, active, keeps us in stitches laughing Kathlena has turned 5yrs old today. It seems impossible that 5 is already here. Just yesterday she was this little toddler/infant who was learning to speak only a few words of English and now she is talking and asking questions about everything around her. Her witty sense of humor and keen observations of life around her are evidence of phenomenal growth in such a short time.

She loves to run, jump, and play with her big brothers. She loves to sing hymns with her big sister Emily-her favorite song being How Firm a Foundation. She also loves to listen to Emily on the piano. She has such a love for music. Her swing in the backyard is a favorite place to pass the afternoon away. She continues to enjoy books and has begun to "read" the pictures and read books to her dolls and Calvin that she has heard so many times that she has memorized them. A few favorites are The Very Hungry "Caterkillar", The Grouchy Ladybug (well all Eric Carle books) My Big Green Pocketbook, Lentil, Harry the "Dury" Dog, If you Give a Mouse a Cookie and The Napping House to name a few.

Kathlena is very proud of being able to hop on one foot and can hop on either foot. She has also learned how to march and enjoys marching around the house. Her favorite job is still helping Mommy though. She is great at helping me in the kitchen always ready to sample Mom's new creations as well as old favorites...just to make sure it is still good! She makes sure everyone has a neatly folded napkin at their place and forks or spoons according to the menu. She is a great "food runner" too as we get a plate ready she runs it to the table to whom it belongs. She is also a big help with her little brother Calvin and is enjoying her new role as "big" sister. A role she has transitioned into pretty smoothly. Sharing Mommy and Daddy in a big sister role has been a good growing experience for her. She continues to grow in confidence in her place in her family.

Kathlena began her birthday with breakfast at Eden's Cafe with just Daddy. Below are pictures from their breakfast. Kathlena had scrambled eggs, fried potatoes, fruit, and water. Kathlena said Daddy had Coffee, scrambled eggs, fried potatoes, and fruit also. Kathlena said her favorite part of the breakfast was that Daddy gave her the rest of his scrambled eggs. It is no secret that Kathlena's favorite food is "scrambles" eggs. I believe she could eat her weight in them if we let her! :)
It was also special because their server is a friend of ours from our church youth teaching days. Thank you Amber for making Kathlena's breakfast with Daddy special!


Later we all went to a special concert that our friend Inna told us about. A friend of hers was doing a piano concert benefit for autistic children in Russia. Irina Svrovna is the friend who put on the concert. She played beautifully and we enjoyed listening to her. Here is a picture of Emily with her. Kathlena enjoyed getting dressed up and an evening out of listening to a piano concert.

After the concert we headed home for Kathlena's special request birthday dinner. She wanted beef steak, stir fried carrots and vegetables, and mashed "uhtatoes". Her favorites which Mommy is glad to fix for my sweetie just turned 5 year old daughter.



Kathlena with the Very lonely Firefly by Eric Carle that Emily gave to her. She knows her sister well!

Cash!!! Kathlena opens her gift that came in the mail from PawPaw and
Grandmommie. The look on her face says it all.

Another favorite book If You Give a Cat a Cupcake...thank you big bubbie!

Andrew picked this out for Kathlena. It is a great game that we can play as a family. It helps kids to use synonyms for the word or act it out while others try to guess.

A wooden baking cookies set from Daddy and Mommy. Kathlena loves to pretend cook and really help cook in the kitchen. I look forward to eating some yummy pretend cookies soon.

The part K has been waiting for...drum role please! Blowing out the candles!

Great Job! You got them all!

Chocolate cake with ice cream in the cake. It hardly gets better than this! We love you sweet Kathlena. You are growing up too fast, but with each passing year we love you more and praise the Lord for you.