5 and 3

During my six month blog hiatus this little girl turned 5. 

She ....

loves arts and crafts

graduated to a big girl bike with no training wheels

dreams of a pet dog named "Gingerbread Girl"

prefers to wear dresses and skirts

likes to chill out in pajamas

enjoyed her first sleepover at a friend's house

Weighs 47.2 pounds and is 43.75" tall

 And

This little girl turned 3

She ....

Can keep up with all the big kids

Is an endless flirt

Takes swimming lessons with sister and can go down the water slide solo

Still loves her night doll 

Prefers yogurt, cheese, and crackers to sweets

Can't wait to go to school in September

Weighs 37.6 pounds and 40.5" tall.  She's a giant!

In case you are wondering, Abby is 2 inches taller than Ella was at age 3. Here is the LINK from Ella's 3 year appointment and Abby's 1 year visit.  It's hard to believe that that was our life two short years ago.  Sigh.  

T-H-R-E-E

On the 24th of May my adventure seeking, highly spirited, book loving, Dora watching, violin playing, art crafter, hamburger eating, independent daughter turned THREE!

We celebrated, and celebrated and celebrated.  We had a party suited for Ella with her many friends at PLAY BOUTIQUE  .

On her actual birthday we began the day with one present and a party hat.  The party hat was a bit of a struggle, but the present was a hit.

Over the course of the year Ella has become more interested in baby dolls, so we gave her a ridiculous assortment of baby doll supplies complete with diapers, powder, bottles, and a potty.  It was a big hit.

.

 For dinner we celebrated at The Spaghetti Factory where Ella basked in the glory.  Of course I insisted she wear her birthday hat, and she did happily for .8 seconds.  

Then silly Ella made her appearance. That was the end of the birthday hat. Oh well, I managed to get a handful of hat wearing pictures between her party, breakfast, and dinner.  Well worth the expense in my book. 

The hit of her birthday was her Dora cake.  Although it looked fabulous, it was quite disappointing.  This is when I miss Carvel the most.  Baskin Robbins, at least our branch, does not offer cookie crunch.  #disappointing

Of course, Ella had to have Diego, Boots, and Dora on her slice. 

Happiest birthday, Missy Moo!

I can't believe you are THREE. 

Abby Girl is ONE

It is hard to believe that was me a year ago.  I was so small!  Well, I guess I was small.  After all, I was 11 pounds, two ounces!  Now I hover around 24 pounds and I know this because

I have been to the doctor's office this past week.  Sadly, I celebrated my birthday with the remnants of a double ear infection.  At least I no longer have the 104 temperature that I was rocking on Wednesday.

The picture to the right is right when I woke up on Saturday.  Momma plopped a party hat on my head before she even changed my diaper.  You might say she was on a mission to capture the moment.  

Also, you might see some redness on my skin.  I had a good sized rash on my trunk that appeared in other random places.  Apparently I am allergic to penicillin.  Lovely.

My parents had wanted to take me to the Children's Museum for the first time.  However, they decided to keep it simple since I was recovering, had Uncle Brett's party in the evening, and my birthday party the following day.  It was a wise choice because I really needed to rest up for my busy social calendar.

Grammy sent me this party dress months ago!  Isn't it cute?  I wore it all day long and that is a big accomplishment!  Also, this silly hat kept finding its way on my head.  My momma wanted me to practice wearing it for my party; she is so silly!

My mommy and daddy gave me one large present.  Ella wanted to open it all day long, so I am lucky I got to open it myself.  In fact, I do believe she has ridden it more than I have.  But that is okay, I am a very good sharer.  Plus, she has some pretty neat toys that I like to get into.

After present opening we went to the park to feed the ducks.  We used my new method of transportation.  I was the coolest kid there.  

My busy day continued.  After nap we went to Uncle Brett's 31st birthday party.  There I had my first (and second and third) piece of watermelon.  I could not get enough and Ella just kept tossing them on my tray.  What a nice big sister!

Now the watermelon was great, but what I really enjoyed was my smash cake!  Like my sister, I had a banana cake that was super cute.  Unlike my sister, I dove in... FAST!  I did not need any prompting or encouragement.  I knew just what to do.

See for yourself.

The cake was just amazing.  I had it in my hair, my ears, and up my nose.  But I did not care because when else am I going to be able to dig in like that?  Certainly not my wedding!

After my busy day, I hit the hay and slept like a baby.... er, toddler, I mean.

May Birthday #1

May is birthday month in our house.  75% of our little family celebrates their special day within the month of May.  Ryan is the odd man out.  My birthday was just this past weekend and I FINALLY got what I wanted: a sunny day.  (Plus, a new pair of sneakers, a pair of sandals, two pocketbooks, a pair of earrings, a shirt, a GC, and a bathing suit... spoiled!)

We celebrated ALL. DAY. LONG.
First, we started celebrating at a 3 year old's party.  There I had cupcake #1.

Then we went to the vineyard with some friends.  We had wine (duh!), cheese, and I had cupcake #2.

Momma and Abs

Momma and Ella 

 THEN, we went home for some delicious Thai food and we had CAKE... Sweet #3.

Ella practicing blowing out candles for her upcoming birthday

May birthday girls (minus Abby)

I am still riding the sugar high... 

Just for kicks, this was me last year on my birthday when I was uncomfortably pregnant with my soon to be 11.2  pound baby girl...