The Par-tay

The Queen

Opening family gifts.

Pink decor. Anna, Robert, Lucas, and Eden

Playing "Pink Monkey Hunt" and making crowns.

The very serious business of blowing out candles and Anna's posse.


Isaac's party spot.

Good Times.

Budget Shoot

As per tradition, I took a bajillion pictures of Anna in a new birthday outfit. Not to be confused with the birthday suit.

I know.

It's a lot.

Forgive me.

Dear Anna,

Today your are three. Three. I can hardly believe it.

Today you woke up and I told you it was (finally) your birthday. You jumped up and yelled, "I'm three! And now we can eat cupcakes!" Isaac growled in his crib. You bounded over and said, "Isaac, I'm threeeeee!" He was delighted to have your attention and responded back with an enthusiastic scream. He loves you so much. If he could, he would sit right next to you all day. You love to play peek-a-boo and guard your toys from your big little brother.

Do you know what I love about you? Well...everything really. Let's get specific. You have a fantastic imagination. I love to quietly observe you when you enter your make-believe world. You like to have parties with Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy. You like to go to the zoo in our living room and run away from peacocks. You line up your animals and dolls and have sleepovers on the couch. You discipline your friends when the get out of line. It is not unusual to find Lion or Lambie sitting in time out on the stairs for stealing toys or hitting. They always say sorry, and then you remind them you love them and it's back to the fun.

And I smile from the kitchen.

You continue to have a passionate (as your dad would say) love for books. You find interesting places to read. Like under the dining room table. Or on top of the kitchen counter. I love getting cozy with you, Isaac, and Dad on our big bed, each with our respective reading materials. Fishing guides for dad, classics for mom, baby books for Isaac. And you? You like to have a stack, twenty tall, at your side.

You do not like bugs, overbearing people, Yo Gabba Gabba, or (sigh) using the toilet. You informed me yesterday that you are going always to be a big girl in diapers, not underwear. You do like to sing, dance, play at the park, and organize. I hope you never realize that organizing is just another word for cleaning, because you run when you hear it's time to clean up.

Tomorrow we are going to celebrate you. Confetti, cupcakes, crowns. All in your signature color: pink. We are going to dance under streamers and sing songs and kiss you all over. Because you are ours forever and I am so grateful.

I love you Missy Moo Wham Bamler Anna Girl.

Love,
Mom

Happy Birthday Anna!

Feeling Inspired

Creatively...


Spiritually...

Anna Singing

The Denver Fire Museum

We had such a great time with the Wittes at the Fire Museum downtown. The museum was so fun. Lots of dress-ups and imaginative play areas. They also had a story time complete with a practice session calling 911. The kids dialed on a play phone, named their emergency, and told them where they lived. Anna stated that she lived in Colorado, which I'm sure would be plenty of information in case there ever was an emergency. We'll have to work on that one at home.

Anna was thrilled to be able to sit in the the truck and dial the phone and play with the fire dogs (stuffed Dalmatians), but the real thrill came when she discovered the stash of fire related picture books.

Isaac was a trooper. He usually is. As long as he can get out of the stroller every so often, he's pretty much good to go. He loved laying the bean bags by the book area. I'm sure his content was less about the bean bag and more about being in the same play area as Anna.

After the museum we headed a couple blocks south to the Civic Center to have a picnic. You can see the capitol buildling in the background. Anna and Isaac had a great time running on the grass and dodging bums. Anna was so upset when it was time to go. I couldn't help posting the tragic photo. Ah. the drama of a toddler.