Pirate and Princess or Pirate Princess?

Last night one of the local eateries (ok, Chick-fil-A) hosted a Pirates and Princesses night.  We decided to go because after all, what is better than eating chicken while in costume?  I mean really, what is better?  Although it was super crowded and reminded me of the chaos at our church's annual Halloween Trunk-or-Treat, I was pleasantly surprised that it was quite well planned with activities and goodies for the kids.  The Mister is quite fond of goodie bags in general :)

 The Little Mister enjoying his "buried treasure" dessert.  This is one of three hats we tried out before he finally settled on one.  And somehow, we ended up going home with about five eye patches.  Anyone need an eye patch?

Baby Sister was such a trooper.  She wore her costume all night.  I can't decide though if she looks more like Cinderella before the fairy godmother, or a pirate princess.  Either way, she's the cutest little princess I've ever seen!

I love...

I love your smile.   And even more, your laugh.

I love your soft skin, your wispy hair, and that you have my brown eyes.

I love that you made up your own sign for hat - covering your ears with your hands - and when a hat isn't available, you will wear just about anything on your head.  (Won't she make a beautiful bride some day :)


I love that you grab my finger so that I can help you walk around.  And we go where you want...you don't let me lead the way.

I love listening to you talk or sing yourself to sleep, and when you wake up with happy squeals.

I love how you greet your Daddy when he gets home from work by crawling over to him and throwing your arms up in the air for him to pick you up.

I love watching you  play with your brother, and that you usually don't mind if it means you get roughed up a little. And for the record, I think you hold your own just fine.

I love that even though you have very few words, you make your opinions known VERY clearly.

But most of all, I love that you are mine forever.


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One year stats:

Height:  30 inches

Weight:  20 lbs 5 oz

Teeth:  5

Words:  Mama, Dadda, dog or doggy (I think), wuff wuff wuff, and juice

Signs:  more, all done, eat (sometimes), and hat

Walking?????  As of her birthday, not really.  She took her first step on July 12 and would take one or two here or there.  But, as of the date of this post she has been walking more and more - about 50/50 walking vs. crawling today.

Scenes from a birthday party....

Photos courtesty of Angela Murray

The best thing about having a summer birthday is a pool birthday party.  The best thing about having both kids with birthdays within a week of each other is a joint pool birthday party.

The theme was loosely based on The Princess & The Frog, but I thought all the Disney decorations were just a little more cheesy than what I was going for.  So, I made their birthday crowns and froggy cupcakes and ordered a lilly pad cake.  I was hoping to find a little princess to go on the top, but once again, I could only find cheesy Disney princesses, so I just settled on flowers.  Other than a slight mix-up with the food (which was promptly resolved), and melting froggy cupcakes (see the middle one two pictures below - it got much, much worse) we had a great time, and I think our guests did too. 

Afterall, who doesn't love a party with cake?

 

 

Oh, and there was some swimming too :)

Thanks to all who celebrated with us!

And then he was three...

Just like that, my baby turned three.


A few memories I want to capture of this age:

Lately he's been playing pretend.  We go on adventures to the Gooey Geyser and the Muddy Volcano - luckily Tico the squirrel gave us a ride in his car and we remembered to fasten our seat belts.  When we got out of the car the Little Mister would tell Tico "gracias" and Tico would reply "grenada" :)  Sometimes the adventures are more tame...the the grocery store to get "broccoli, lettuce, and cheese" or on picnics.  Picnics are his favorite. 

While he doesn't have any imaginary friends yet (unless you count actual cartoon characters that he sometimes pretends to play with), he does on occasion, have pretend toys.  One of the most common is his red yoyo that he carries around with him in his pocket.  We really should keep this pretend toy thing going - we could save a FORTUNE on toys!

He says giant words like "spectacular", "echolocation", and "brachiosaurus".  And he tells me that I'm clever.



He loves to build things and take them apart.  He loves legos and puzzles but most recently his favorite is building forts and rocket ships out of pillows and couch cushions.  (Incidentally Brad commented today that this was his least favorite thing). 

Last week I went to check on him in his Nursery class at church.  He and his buddy, Benjamin, were standing in front of the toy cabinet full of toys.  Benjamin was holding a toy truck and as I peeked in I saw Mister take the toy from Benjamin. I opened the door and told him in my most stern Mom voice that he needed to give the toy back and pick out a new one.  He did give the toy back...and then walked right over to Brooke and took her toy, right in front of her Dad, no less!  I wish I could say that was the worst thing he did in Nursery class that day :(

He's really quite athletic.  I guess I don't know what to expect at this age but I have been impressed with his ability to hit, throw, catch, and swim.

He loves to sing (real songs or made up), read stories, and has an incredible memory. He can remember minute details of things from months ago. I wish I could write down some examples, but I can't remember!

We've been practicing what sounds each of the letters make. When I asked him what sound "B" makes, his response was "buzzzzz". I should not have been surprised then when I asked him at a later date what sound "P" makes.




He thinks his Dad works on a spaceship and I'm not inclined to correct him anytime soon.

He loves his Baby Sister fiercely...and I do mean fiercely.



He reminds me all the time that he's not a baby, he's a boy, but he will always be my baby.

3-year stats:
Height:  37 inches
Weight:  30 lbs