heron turns five

i would say it's hard to believe heron is already five, but in many ways it's harder to believe that she wasn't five long before now.  she's a precocious little thing.  a firecracker of a girl, bright and fiery.  long & lean like the graceful bird she's named after.  

this year we again took her birthday portrait at the bird sanctuary.  and the bug jar never left her side.  she was flitting about the whole time, barefoot, scampering over rocks & streams, looking for critters & fairy houses, a little wood sprite.  a tomboy in a dress & a braided crown, much like her mother at that age.  

heron, full of life & wonder, compassion & grace.  she's a healer, an artist, a befriender, an expert tree-climber.  she is self-motivated, self-sacrificing, brave, & the most confident little thing we've ever met.  her favorite days are when she makes a new friend.  she loves jesus, & makes up prayer-songs for him every day.  she has the holy spirit, & is so teachable, so quick to change her attitude & actions when she is making poor choices.    

heron begins most days with markers & a pad of paper, filling up the pages with stories.  or on the front porch, checking up on her bug friends.  or playing pink amazon river dolphin sisters with her little brother sheppy.  

heron, you amaze us every day, & we're so blessed to be your mama & papa!  happy birthday, little blue!   

here's how we celebrated you today :  slumber party with mama, decorations in the living room, dance party, donuts, roller skating, hot dogs for lunch, ice cream and book store date with aunt teal, playdate with jocelyn & joaquin, family bowling & pizza!