I’ve learned a few things since last week’s column.  It’s actually pretty amazing.  Apparently, once you turn five years old, you instantly become wiser and more responsible… according to Kiera, anyways.

Let’s start with her actual birthday.  I woke up extra early and made birthday pancakes while Aaron cooked sausage and eggs.  She had two questions as soon as we woke her up.  The first was, “Is it my birthday?”  The second question was “Are my pancakes ready?”

We sang “Happy Birthday” to her not once but twice.  Once we finally had the birthday girl fed and dressed, we headed out to the truck.  As we walked out of the house, she proclaimed to all the neighbors, “I am five!  Hey!  I am five!”  Of course, none of our neighbors were outside at the time, but maybe it was just in case they had their windows open.

After parking in the school parking lot, Aaron pulled out his phone and looked at his Facebook memories.  He motioned for me to look at the picture on his phone from five years ago.  The picture was one of the first ones of Kiera after she was born.

I immediately slipped into crazy mom voice.  The voice that becomes all high-pitched and sappy.  You know the one.  It went something similar to “Oh, my goodness!!  Look, baby!  You were so tiny!  You had little tiny hands and you were just so precious!”

My five-year old peered over my shoulder and sighed.  Then she replied in the driest tone possible.  “Mommy.  I’m five.  I can even talk now.”  Oh.  Well.  Thankfully, even though she is five, she can still hold my hand as we walk through the parking lot and I still get hugs and kisses before leaving her room at school.

Recently, she has tried to exert her independence when we are seated in a restaurant.  Usually, we will sit in a booth.  Kiera always sits on the inside.  Lately, she has been trying to get us to let her sit on the outside.  The last time we went to a restaurant we explained that we sat on the outside so that we could keep her safe.  That was before the big FIVE birthday.

Tonight, as we were seated in a booth, Kiera stopped before climbing in.  “I want to sit on the outside.”

“No, honey.”  I replied while motioning for her to climb in the booth.   “Remember, Mommy and Daddy sit on the outside.”

“I know.  It’s so I’ll be safe.  But, I’m five now and if someone comes then I will tell them what to do!”  She stated as she climbed in the booth.

I have no doubts, baby girl, no doubts at all.

It’s amazing how a birthday can change a perspective.  I am sure that we have not heard the end of the “But, I’m five!” speech.  In fact, I’d be willing to bet this is just the beginning!