Birthdays hurt a little

I think I die a little inside as each birthday rolls around and I watch the “baby” grow up.  We still call her the baby even though she isn’t.  She’s wears panties now, wants to do big-girl things, goes to school.  She has friends she loves and teachers that love her.  She waves happily at me each morning when I drop her off at school, kissing me, telling me to have a good day as she rushes back to her squealing classmates.  She used to watch me longingly as I walked away; now I’m the watcher.

She’s sassy and sweet, bossy and patient, independent and very loving.  She loves her “sissies” and “bubbas” and takes roll each day, logging in each person’s whereabouts like a mother hen. 

But mostly she likes to kiss and hug and snuggle.  She wraps her long legs around me as soon as we say hello or good morning and she doesn’t like to get down.  She cooks with me, cleans with me, puts on makeup with me, and wants me to take her everywhere  I go…and I usually do.   She likes to ride with me in the car and talk about her day, tattle on everyone, sing with her CD.

She mocks me when I direct her siblings, complete with hands on her hips and a stern face.  She doesn’t like time-outs or a “no” of any kind.  She loves her blankies, her stuffed animals, and thank goodness, her mommy.  And boy, does her mommy love her back.

Happy, happy birthday my sweet baby girl.

 

Birthday morning.  Cinnamon rolls with candles and many (many) rounds of the birthday song

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Later that morning at school.

She loves her teacher, Ms. Carolyn SO much.

Can you tell who’s bossy?

 

Friends.

YAY! I’m officially three!!

“I not three, I six!”

Really, though, she’s going to be three years old this week.  Since her  brother is six, then of course, so is she.

After we went to Jump Zone (post below), it was time for the party.  While they waited for the festivities, Peyton and Landon had to climb the fence to look at the ducks.

 

It was messy on the hands.

 

Little girl time with cousin, Dayden (3).

The boys: Landon, cousin Bailey, and Hayden. 

Dayden’s beautiful mommy and my sis, Gina.

A Dora cake made the dimples come out.

Two cakes made for two “Happy Birthday” songs and lots of candle-blowing opportunities.

Presents!

This present made her scream in delight.

All smiles.

They shared!

Keaton smiled (!) and showed off Dora and Boots.

Reagan loves her Uncle David.

The girls played outside all evening.

Hayden and Nicci.

It was late but the party-ers wouldn’t stop. Turning six, um, three is fun!

Jump Zone

Part of Peyton’s 3rd birthday celebration involved jumping…lots of jumping.  In fact, other than a Dora book, that’s all she’s talked about; so we went jumping.

When we first arrived at the Jump Zone, she was unsure.  There were bounce houses everywhere and they were massive.

Her brothers, however, knew how wonderful it all was and paused just long enough to let me get a pic.

Peyton decided the see-saw was less scary.

Reagan watched over everyone.  Thank goodness.

 

This, I was told, would be a grumpy face photo.

Ah, my surly 12 year old hidden away and listening to her ipod.  I was instructed NOT to take any pictures of her.  Probably should have put her in the “grumpy” pic above.

First time down the big slides was a little scary.

Second time wasn’t much better.

But she quickly adapted and did not want to leave.

So fun!

New 'do

A lot was cut off last night. She had to get a pic as soon as she got out of the stylist's chair. She looks so beautiful. Thanks Stacy!

Big Boy Bird Business

A sweet momma blue bird decided she would build her nest right next to our front door.  Since the first twigs were placed against the wall, Landon has been completely obsessed with every step of the process.  When I can’t find him, he’s usually sitting, standing, crouching, or lying in a corner hoping the momma bird will forget he’s there and continue her nest-building. 

 

She’s since decided Landon holds no threat and will swoop in and out of the breezeway, chirping cautiously at the tiny intruder.

Hayden concluded that bird-watching is a two-man job so he assumed the squatter’s position with his brother and began whistling…an attempt to call momma bird out of the nest.

There she is.  It was amazing to watch.

The boys followed her as she whipped in and out of the nest, making finishing touches.

But this was also his perch for hours, sitting quietly, whispering, being sweet and slow.

A few more steps is all I’m asking…

…Just a few more steps  and these items would actually be IN the trash can and not on the floor.

Popsicle leftover stash “hidden” behind the TV.

Cracker packages in bedroom and in front of the couch.

An uneaten candy bar behind the recliner.  I have no idea where it came from or why it wasn’t eaten.

Behind my printer.

 

Lazy bones.

Rare photo op

All six of my babies…

at home…

at the same time…

Mom’s very happy when this happens.