Abbie is Three!

Today our Abigail turned three years old. I can't believe it! We had such a great day and made it a point to oblige all her birthday activity wishes. She is such a grateful and appreciative child that she is a joy to do nice things for. She never forgets and is quick to say in the most sincere voice, "Oh, thank you Mommy. Your the best mommy in the world." Abigail is quiet, sensitive, and in love with babies. She is incredibly empathetic and of course, I think she is a brilliant genius! Always responsible and rule abiding (maybe to the extreme), I can take her anywhere and let her do almost anything and trust that she will do exactly what she is supposed to do to the best of her abilities. She is very funny and surprisingly athletic- soon she will surpass my outstanding athletic skills and have to play sports with only Daddy. She loves to climb, despite her usual overwhelming caution. She is a princess in and out. I desperately wish I could freeze her in time and keep her just the way she is now, but at the same time she becomes sweeter and more incredible with each passing day. I do my best to cherish each day with her and she surely doesn't make that hard for me!

Happy 3rd Birthday Abigail!

We started the day off at Pump it Up PreK playtime, where the kids got to bounce, climb & slide their little hearts out.

After lunch, Abbie helped make her birthday cupcakes which were, at her specific request, chocolate with chocolate candy chunks in the middle, and chocolate frosting. The girl loves her chocolate!

Abbie takes her first nap in her "big girl bed" which is her crib converted into a toddler daybed. She is so excited about it!

Abbie's finished product. SO yummy!

Abigail chose pizza for dinner, just like she did for her party. All she did was pick the cheese off the top and eat it, but having her request granted made her happy in itself. She was much to interested in her cupcakes to bother with real food.

Three candles for our birthday girl!

As DJ put it, "Mama has lost her mind" and I gave Carter a cupcake complete with frosting and decorations even though I had unfrosted ones as well. I figured, what the heck...

Abbie eagerly waits to open her gifts from us.

Carter helps her open her playdough station with every playdough gadget you could imagine. The only thing she specifically asked me for was playdough with a rolling pin thanks to her fond memories of playing with it a "pink church."

I think DJ and I had as much fun with the playdough as she did. We may have a new hobby...

Growing up...

Abbie's last night in her precious crib

I allowed Carter to break free from his bath seat (yes, I know, the boy is almost two but it is best to restrain the boy in any way he will tolerate). We will see how long this lasts. So far, not looking good for him!

Testing Me Once Again...

I think my dearest Carter sensed that I was having fleeting thoughts of attempting to break him of his binky by his first birthday, because in true Carter form, he is showing me by not only using one binky- but two. What am I going to do with this boy?

My Little Artist

In addition to attending two very big parties, Abigail got her belated birthday gift from baby Jake (which came in the biggest box ever) since my friend Sandi was sweet enough to search the town for one before ordering a special pink one online. We managed to wedge it into my car and she patiently waited until we got home to open it. She waited SO patiently and still didn't ask me to take it out of the box, so of course I opened it for her and let her stay up even longer after bedtime to play with it. She has painted for most of the day with her first watercolors. Carter also found his own use for it!

Party Animals

Yesterday was the hardest work day I have put in for a long time, but now that it is over I can admit it was fun. We celebrated "baby Jake's" first birthday with a pool party in the 100 degree weather with a bunch of small children running around a pool. Jake is arguably Abbie's favorite child in the world, although baby Loki is working his way in there. We went straight to Roy's big birthday bash afterwards where the kids had a great time dancing to the live band. What a day!

Her Own Wheels

Watch out everyone! Here she comes!

Princess Abigail

In attempts to get back on a somewhat normal schedule, the kids and I went back to the gym. I spent at least five minutes explaining to Abigail that she could not wear her new princess gown to the daycare. The minute we walked in the door, she sprinted for it and wore it until naptime. Not saying much for some girls, but for all of us who see lots of pics of Abbie on here, she does not wear anything but panties 90% of the time.
She watched her current favorite show "Maggie and the Ferocious Beast."

She went to the beach...

She even climbed up her slide (even though she kept stepping on the bottom of the dress and slipping back down) and slid down over and over again. Finally, she decided she would take it off to sleep, but not before Carter, Abbie, me, the couches, and probably the animals are covered in little specks of gold glitter. Now we all glisten like princesses...

Happy Father's Day

I got a kick out of the kids' Father's Day cards this year. This is the front of Abbie's. It's Daddy and the top says "Happy Father's Day Daddy."
This is the inside of hers. It says "I love you Daddy."

Abbie drew her own hand on the back.

Carter's card. He colored more on his tummy and pants, but the effort was enthusiastic.

The Party Aftermath

Abigail's 3rd Birthday Party