Birthday Party

In order to accommodate Erich's work schedule (he had to work the weekend of Avery's birthday) we celebrated the weekend before her big day with a small party. We also went to visit Daddy at work on her actual birthday and we went out on a special birthday date the day after her birthday... which means our sweet girl got to celebrate turning 3 for an entire week! Her party was actually just a small get together with Grandma and Grandpa, Nana and Papa, and Aunt Nikki. I put up some simple decorations (I found out stringing balloons onto thread and hanging them like garland all over the house is a fast and cheap way to impress a 3 year old), we ordered pizza, Aunt Nikki brought one of her fabulous cakes, and Avery and Daddy provided special entertainment for our guests. Avery was over the moon excited and Erich and I loved watching her light up. We are so thankful for family that is willing to make the two hour drive our way to love on our kids. In turn, it makes us feel loved.

We had to laugh at this video of Avery in the bathtub. Erich snuck up on her primping and singing to herself as she was getting ready for her party. What a personality!

Mommy and Avery. I'm in the very early stages of learning to sew (at the time of the party it had only been a month since I'd first touched my machine). One of my first projects was making matching party dresses for Avery and Norah. When I put Avery's dress on her she said, "Mom, watch me twirl! I'm so beautiful!". That was enough to light the fire in me to keep learning. Our girls will have an abundance of twirly dresses!

Daddy and Avery practiced all week and put on a magic show with Erich's old fisher price magic set. Erich's face lit up when his favorite childhood toy was recently found at Nana and Papa's house and it was so fun to watch him share those memories with his daughter. He was the magician and Avery was his lovely assistant. Despite a tad of sudden stage fright, she eventually got into it and did a great job! (Here she is showing everyone that the box is empty!)

Papa got in on the magic fun by making some quarters magically appear for the birthday girl. Money is a new concept for Avery and everyone got a kick out of the fact that the quarters were her prized possession of the day... who needs gifts?

Norah woke up from a nap and loved getting passed around from one set of arms to the next. These sisters love each other so much. I'm soaking in these moments because I know before too long they'll be fighting over clothes and who's turn it is to use the car.

Nana and the girls

Aunt Nikki made this adorable cake. It's modeled after Cubby bear, the teddy bear that Avery has slept with practically since birth. Cubby is tattered, worn, falling apart, and perfect. That's the best kind of stuffed animal to have. I loved this Cubby tribute! The cake was chocolate and peanut butter and I overheard more than one person say it was the best cake they've ever had. I agree!

Norah soaking up some Grandma love

Avery made the rounds spending time with each one of her grandparents. Here she is having a nice chat with Grandpa.

Norah picked the perfect time to start rolling over... all of the grandparents and Aunt Nikki were right there to witness it. She was met with a room full of cheers and clapping. In all fairness, she had rolled over once or twice about 6 weeks prior to this, but due to an illness that slowed her down a little she had stopped even trying and the doctor seemed a bit concerned about that. So this was a major event and it was fun to have everyone present for it.

Avery modeling her Princess Ariel dress she got from Grandma and Grandpa. She also got a wooden play food birthday cake, cute new jammies, and a great stock pile of arts and crafts supplies. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa, Aunt Nikki, and Nana and Papa!

Our sweet Avery Ann. You make our family lively and fun! We love you so and we thank God for every day we get to spend with you. I can't believe it's been 3 years!