Well it finally hit me. I have a three-year-old! And I’m a little sad that I’m not super sad about it…does that even make sense? Of course it makes me nostalgic to look back at her first and second birthdays, but witnessing her transform into a sweet, goofy, imaginative little child is pretty amazing too.
The big sister role suits her well. She loves to entertain and Nash loves to laugh, which makes them the perfect pair. She’s always looking out for him, letting me know if he’s getting into something he shouldn’t be…and sometimes she just makes gagging noises to signal that he’s put something gross in his mouth. It’s obviously happened more than once 😉 She’s mastered the art of keeping Nash awake in the car when he’s trying to drift off right before nap time. I used to roll down the windows and sing loudly, but now I just give her the go-ahead to act like a lunatic. Anything to get him to his crib before he crashes!
She’s my little artist and can already draw an impressive smiley face. Like her mom, she loves structure. She wants to know what’s coming next, who will be there, and if snacks will be involved 😉 Like her dad, she likes to warm up to new social situations before exposing the fact that she’s a total goofball.
She loves learning new things and looks forward to school and church days. It always amazes me how much she soaks up in such a short period of time. After her first day of preschool she was teaching me songs I’d never heard before and telling me that koala babies are called “joeys” and are carried around in their mommy’s pouches after birth. I started to tell her that I thought she meant kangaroos, but decided to google it first. Sure enough–she was right…she’s always right. #outsmartedbyatoddler #again
She’s more emotionally intuitive than I thought a 3-year-old could be. Sometimes at night she wants to pray for her books, her curtains and her night-light…but other nights, I know she can sense that my heart is heavy because she asks to pray for uncle Josh in heaven. With her hands clasped together and her eyes shut tight, she wants to make things better for me in her own little 3-year-old way. I love her and I love her heart.
Don’t get me wrong, she challenges us too. A lot. But no matter how many times I have to “count to 3,” explain that her toys are also her brother’s toys, or beg her to just “rest her eyes” at nap time…it doesn’t come close to comparing to the joy she brings us every single day. I love this little gal with everything in me…
 |
| shirt: JaandJillKids |
And now, proof that hosting birthday parties somewhere other than your home is the bomb.com. We “flamingled” our hearts out…and then went home to a clean house 😉 It was such a great day!!
 |
| cupcake toppers: pink antlers studio |
Cheers to three years!
I love a good flamingo party! Happy birthday to Arden!!
What a precious little girl – I felt like I was reading my own words about our SJ!! What a cute little party and a great venue x
Arden is just the sweetest. Her prayers — the best.
Where did you hold her birthday party?!! I thought I knew of all the aquatic facilities in KC, but that one looks new. So much fun!!
Happiest of 3rd Birthdays, Arden!
Oh Vanessa! This post and the party is just perfection! I am SO glad you have a little girl older than mine because I am just going to keep stealing your party ideas! HBD, Arden and good work mama on raising such a sweet little lady!
So cute! Looks like a fun time and you know I love me a good cupcake. 🙂
Such a cute party! We are having Jojo's Birthday there this year. How did you like it? It looks like fun. Yay for not having to throw a party at the house…I'll be doing that next month for Dean so a change for Jolene's party will be nice!
loved her flamingo party. so cute! I can't wait for the day we can host parties elsewhere and let other people do the clean up (;