Happy to be 3!

Our little gal is 3!  She has been looking forward to her birthday for ever and it was so fun to finally be able to make some of her wishes a reality.

The morning started off with surprise doughnuts from Dad.  She couldn't have been more pleased!

She wanted a princess cake with "probably no nuts" for her birthday so that's what she got.  Of course our over-the-top obsessed with hair child wanted to hold the Barbie's hair all day long.  She is so crazy!

We gave her tons of choices of what she could do for her birthday, but her consistent request was to play with her office stuff and watch a movie at Nana's house so that's what we did.

While we were getting ready for her party she dressed up and then we ended up with a random dance party in the backyard.  I was working on dinner and when I walked out it seriously looked like the circus had shown up in our yard.

Then on to the circus rides...

Later in the evening some family and friends came over for a little party.

We ate beans and cheese, per Mikayla's request, then played some awesome last minute party games.

Pin the hair on Rapunzel.

Toss Pascal into the frying pan.

Then gifts and cake!

Mikayla freaked out about the sparklers, of course.

Then she freaked out because the Barbie from her cake only had one leg.  I sure forgot to prep her about that one.  Oops.

I thought it was the perfect little night because we got to spend it with people who love Mikayla and support us as we try to raise her the best we can.  We are always very grateful for so much love and support for our family.

As I was tucking her into bed tonight she asked me if she was was 2 anymore and when I told her she wasn't she asked if she was 3.  When I said yes she asked me very concerned, "What happened to my 2?"  Love that girl!

We sure are lucky to have this funny, loving, dramatic, hair-obsessing princess in our home.  She keeps life fun for all of us!

Life Lately

Between several weeks of sick kids, a wedding and a mission farewell I feel like we've barely had time to breathe.  Luckily life is starting to normalize again and I am uncovering our floor one mess at a time.  It's good to be back in the swing of things.  Here are some picture updates, in totally random order. 

Sick days.

The girls got this awful cold/cough that would not go away for anything.  It lasted over 3 weeks.  We spent a lot of days on the couch watching movies.  Mikayla's friend you see there is Deb, the mannequin that she got for Christmas.  Our lives will never been the same since Deb joined us.

Junk makes everyone feel better, right? 

I've seen more Merida, Rapunzel and Afro Circus than I care to in a lifetime in the past few weeks!

Asleep on the tractor.  Being sick wears a girl out!

Tears and jammies.  That pretty much sums up the last 3 weeks.  Oh, you could probably add throw-up and cuddles in there, too.

Our happy Maylee before being hit with the plague!

There it is!  The snotty nose and cough hit Maylee, too.  She also learned how to twist her tongue and she is super proud of herself for that one!

Solids.

Maylee's other favorite trick is blowing raspberries.  For some reason she feels the need to blow raspberries and try to pop every vein in her head each time we stick a bite of food in her mouth.  It is quite disgusting.

Say it don't spray it, sister!

Totally proud of her handiwork.  See the spots all over the table?

Tea Party!

Check out Mikayla's admiring eyes.  She sure loves her Dad!

We told Mikayla "Rapunzel-let down your hair!" and she asked "Which one my long hair or my short hair?"

Mikayla's been insisting we all wear wings and run around the house leaping with her to "fly".

Junk.

Oh-have I mentioned Mikayla's love for junk a time or two?  Maylee profits greatly from Mikayla's junk piles.  They entertain her for forever.  I freak out about the choking issue quite often.

Uncle Dillon left on his mission!

Hollywood.

You mean to tell me not everyone dresses up to get their mail?

Date night.

Mikayla decided she was going to plan "date time" for her Dad last night.  The agenda was all her idea and she spent all day planning it.  It went like this.  Beauty shop, rides outside (a random addition), pizza for dinner, brownies, movie, popcorn (patoom).  Dustin was a good sport.

Setting up shop.  The sign behind her says "Beauty Shop" in case you were curious.

Maylee was a big helper, too.

Dad got lotion, a back scratch and his hair brushed at the beauty shop.  Lucky guy!

"Dad!  Wanna take a picture with my friends?"

Next up on the date-road trip.  Buckle your seat belts because Maylee's driving!

It's been nuts, but it's been a fun ride, too.  Pictures help me remember that, which is why I take so many!