Turning Three!

 We got over our cold just in time for Big Sister's birthday! She turned three yesterday, and today we had a small "rainbow" birthday celebration with family and good friends! Big Sister has been SO excited about turning three...and Biggest Sister was just as excited to celebrate with her.

Big Sister requested a cake just like the one from the book, "The Gardener" by Sarah Stewart. 

It was supposed to rain on her birthday, so we thought it would be fun to do a RAINBOW theme. 

Our very good friends visited us all the way from San Diego.

Bryant and I got married in their backyard 7 years ago... when they were teeny tiny...

Now one is a recent college graduate and the other is a senior in high school!

More friends and family joined us later in the day... and we had a great time! 

Big Sister was just happy to eat her BIG piece of cake...and to open (of course) her birthday gifts! 

Here are a few mobile photos of Big Sister from this past year...

This last one always makes me SMILE. :)

We love you SO much!! 

Thank you for bringing so much joy into our lives with your infectious smile, laugh and personality!

We are thankful to God for you and pray that He will bless you all the days of your life!!

Random.

Been at home for a week now with three sick girlies... 

We are getting a little stir-crazy but I thank God that we have a nice and warm home where we can rest, play and get better.

Numbers:

My mom recently bought this writing mat by Melissa and Doug for the girls and it has been a big hit. 

Colored Pencils: 

There's always some kind of coloring, drawing, painting going on around here...

Pom Poms: 

Since we're at home (and I found some colorful tissue paper), we started making some decoration for Big Sister's birthday...
which is this Saturday!!  She will be turning 3!!

PJs and blankets: 

We've been around these all week. 

Fevers, boogies, and coughs please go away and don't come back for a long long time...

Thankful Tree.

Thankful Tree. 

The idea came from here on Pinterest.

The girls and I grabbed some sticks and berries from our front yard and put them in a glass vase to make the tree. 

We cut out leaves from card stock and hung them on the tree with pieces of fabric.

Each leaf has something we are thankful for..

Big sister scribbled on her first two leaves, "Daddy" and "Mochi" (our dog). :)

Biggest sister drew faces of ALL of her close friends. 

So simple and easy.. and a great way to remember and write down all that God has blessed us with. :)

Sick Days.

We've been sick here the last few days.  We, as in all three of the girls.  Started with one, then another... and another...

Even after 5 years of being a parent, I am still not used to days/weeks of my kids being sick...Maybe I never will... It breaks my heart every time to see my kids feeling awful with a high fever, congestion, cough or any flu symptoms for that matter... And the sleep deprivation for everyone is not fun at all either.  I have to say though that I have definitely gotten better at making homemade chicken noodle soup, and knowing what medicine to give when, or entertaining the kids while we are stuck at home for a week (or two)... ;)

Nature Walk.

We love going for a walk in our neighborhood. It is almost guaranteed that the girls will pick up something along the way home. 

 We took some of these seeds/berries home yesterday.. cut them open to see what was inside..

This is a little secret doorway on our street that the girls stop at EVERY time.. Inside awaits Alice from Alice in Wonderland.

 The family that set this up has no idea how much joy this little tiny door brings to the girls.  :) 

Around the House

Alphabet worksheets: 

Two biggest sisters love learning and writing their letters. 

Journals: 

I love journals. I have one for each of my girls.  One for my notes, prayer requests, etc. 

And many more from the past. 

Doggy bed:

Littlest sister loves using Mochi's bed as a chair. I don't blame her, it's so soft and comfy. 

And Mochi doesn't mind it either. She loves it when littlest sister sits with her. 

Neighbors

The two princesses, cheerleader and the football player (our sweet neighbors) visited a few homes in our neighborhood with their candy bags last night.  Fun memories and a great time of fellowship (and a great way to meet new neighbors)!