It's hard to believe that, three years ago, I didn't know how much I could love someone. Three years ago, I knew I'd love my children, but I didn't yet have the experience to know how inexplicably that love would change my life, my perspective, and my purpose.
But then Hope was born, and she's been my little sunshine ever since. She's made the last three years richer and more fun than I'd ever have imagined in the pre-kid world.
We had fun in the weeks leading up to her birthday, practicing holding up just three fingers and talking about what we'd do at her party. Her actual birthday was on a Tuesday, but even though we pushed her party til the weekend, we celebrated all day. When she woke up, I brought her some milk, like always. But this time I had a candle in it and came in singing "Happy Birthday." She thought it was flat out the coolest thing I EVER did.
But then Hope was born, and she's been my little sunshine ever since. She's made the last three years richer and more fun than I'd ever have imagined in the pre-kid world.
We had fun in the weeks leading up to her birthday, practicing holding up just three fingers and talking about what we'd do at her party. Her actual birthday was on a Tuesday, but even though we pushed her party til the weekend, we celebrated all day. When she woke up, I brought her some milk, like always. But this time I had a candle in it and came in singing "Happy Birthday." She thought it was flat out the coolest thing I EVER did.
Then we went out to breakfast with Aunt Kate, where we allowed Hope to eat jam with a spoon - hey, it was her birthday. And the waitress let her pick out a free dessert to take home for later. She picked chocolate cream pie ... smart girl!
Afterwards, we met Grandma at the mall, where Hope rode the merry-go-round, looked around the pet store, and shopped at Claire's. Grandma bought Hope a whole bag of goodies: a tiara, a pack of lipglosses, earrings, rings, a bracelet, a necklace, and a dancing ballerina/Sleeping Beauty jewelry box. We sat on a bench while I nursed Grant and Hope tried out each of her sparkly treasures.
Hope chose to go to Grandma and Grandpa's for lunch and nap, but they all came over for dinner. Given her choice of anything in the world for her birthday dinner, she chose hot dogs. Easy enough. And we were excited to give her our joint gift - a huge SpringFree trampoline! We'd taken her to the "playground store" a few times to pick out a swingset, but all she cared about were the trampolines. I'm glad we sprung for it, because she's been in it multiple times a day every day since she got it!
We ended Hope's birthday with brownies and gifts from out of town relatives, both of which she devoured. It was a fun-filled day, and I think we succeeded in making Hope feel very special on her 3rd birthday!
Her actual party was a few days later, when out of nowhere, it was close to 90 degrees. But I think Hope and her friends still had a good time at the petting zoo. More than the hayride, the face painting, or the animal feeding, Hope of course loved the pony ride. But I'm pretty sure Katie was a horse, not a pony.
My attempt at a 'horse cake' came out pretty well, though it might have suffered some in the heat. Hope was tickled anyway, and that was the whole idea :)
And lest you think that Grant was neglected while we focused on Hope, consider that he had both sets of grandparents there to adore him, plus his Aunt K, plus plenty of eager friends. He beat the heat by staying in the shaded picnic pavilion, drinking from a straw, and eating strawberries. He might not have gotten to feed to goats, but I think he did ok :)
And lest you think that Grant was neglected while we focused on Hope, consider that he had both sets of grandparents there to adore him, plus his Aunt K, plus plenty of eager friends. He beat the heat by staying in the shaded picnic pavilion, drinking from a straw, and eating strawberries. He might not have gotten to feed to goats, but I think he did ok :)
Happy birthday Hopey!!!
2 comments:
Three years of utter joy for us, too, with Hope...and almost eight months with Grant.
Hope has allowed me to revisit the sweetness of life with my own precious daughters. Until you have an empty nest, you cannot know what a blessing that is.
I LOVE being your Mama and their Grandma!
She's an awesome little blessing and we love her a lot!
(Remind me to ask you more questions about that trampoline... I've been angling for one forever... for ME!)
Can't wait to see y'all tomorrow!
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