In between all those checks has been a whole lot of deep breaths, but mostly? Lots of thankfulness. Thankful that we really tightened out bootstraps these past years while Ian was in school, thankful that while we will surely feel the pinch, we CAN get all of these things that we need. And now? Super thankful that that's all behind us and we get to focus on our big three year old girl.
Oh Louise, it's been a bit too long since I wrote about you. Captured, even a little, how wonderful and amazing you are right now. Your third birthday seems the perfect opportunity.
You are at one of my favorite stages right now, a perfect cross between sweet little one and big grown up kid. You can do so much all on your own, and insist on doing it ALL. One of your newest favorites? Scooting along with your new birthday scooter around the cul de sac, right alongside your big sister. It's one of my greatest joys to watch you learn and figure things out on your own, and that smile once you get it? Ah, the best.
This third birthday of yours was wonderful and simple. After a struggle to find a good date and time for a friend birthday party we bagged it this year, and I must say, had so much fun just us, celebrating just how you wanted to.
On the morning of your birthday you woke up to crepe paper and flowers, cinnamon rolls and cantelope, and a few presents of course.
:: morning present opening aftermath::
I had such fun choosing presents for you this year, now that I know you better than ever. A new game of course, a puzzle too, three books (this, this, and this), new art supplies and your very own big girl sketchbook, a new outfit and raincoat (found in MN at Once Upon a Child...I LOVE those stores). I even went to the Disney store for you, knowing how much you'd LOVE something princessy and official. I agonized over what to get, under strict instructions from Ainsley to get you a figurine play set of some sort. I ended up getting Cinderella's Glass Slippers and the Monsters Inc. set. Ainsley was SO excited to give you the Monsters Inc set and you haven't taken those slippers off since you opened them. Success!!!
After spending the early morning playing with new toys Grammy came! She's up in Winnetka with her parents and made the trek down for the day to celebrate with us. What a special birthday treat! We packed up and headed to one of our favorite splash pad parks for a picnic playdate with your best bud Lily. It was the perfect way to spend your hot happy birthday.
Then back home for naps. Ainsley was too excited to nap, so after resting for a bit she got some good one on one Grammy play time. Aside? If you're ever in need of an activity for a preschooler, just buy a box of dixie cups and let them at it. Seriously. They are the new favorite thing in our house.
Once Louise woke up she was eager for more birthday fun, excited to show Grammy how proficient she's become at her scooter. One lap around the steamy cup de sac and she was ready to phone it in, so she came in to help me make her birthday pasta while Ainsley braved the heat for a bit of running outside. While Louise sat on the counter and I sauteed onions, she decided it'd be a good idea to dump a bag of pepper out on the counter, then proceeded to lick her hand off. This of course was traumatic for her, me as well as her lips swelled up from the burning and I was momentarily convinced that she was having an acute allergic reaction. Thank goodness for Grammy who knew about these things, and an ice cube that immediately calmed us all down. Whew! On to more birthday fun.
Ian arrived and Louise opened the rest of her presents. Ainsley was so excited to do a little scavenger hunt for them and Louise was a great sport. Then tomato cream sauce pasta and cake time!
Ainsley and I had so much fun decorating Louise's cake. All she'd asked for for her birthday were jelly beans so I bought the HUGE jug of them from Costco and we did taste tests and used them to decorate her cake. Oh how I wish I'd gotten a proper shot of it. It was a pretty cute cake.
Ah my happy birthday girl. You start 4 day a week preschool with your sister next week. You are SO excited and ready. And you know what? Me too. Because you are so big and able and happy and great. I love you to pieces. I hope all your three year old dreams come true!
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