Where's my baby?

Has it really been 3 years since we brought our little Pinky Pie home from the hospital?  It doesn't seem possible.  Although today was just as wintry and cold as that day 3 years ago . . . it's hard to imagine how life has changed since.  What did we do before we brought our bright eyed bundle of energy home????

We've been busy celebrating the big birthday this week.  Thursday morning we got up early to stop at one of our favorite bakeries to pick up the special donuts we ordered:  2 dozen frosted donuts with sprinkles!  Plenty for her class and to share with her friends at church.  After work/school, we opened a few gifts and then met some friends for dinner.  We decided to skip McD's this year, and chose Mexican instead.  Chips, salsa, a cheese quesadilla and a kiwi slushy - what else could a birthday girl ask for? 

Tonite we celebrated with friends and family at our house.  Fortunately, the predicted winter storm missed us, and most of our guests were able to join us for a warm winter meal of chili and baked potatoes (the bday girl loves "potato pockets"!).  Pickles, chocolate milk, and lots of cheese.  All of her favorites.  We topped it off with a homemade ice cream cake.   (2 bags of oreos, 3 bags of chocolate chips, and 2 cartons of ice cream - thank you pinterest!)

Once again, we were overwhelmed by the generosity of our family and friends who shower our girl with gifts and love.  It's amazing how one little girl can be so loved, not just on her birthday, but all year through.

So, what is our 3 year old into these days?
    Dress up clothes
    Dressing her babies and her bears
    Blocks
    TV:  Mickey Mouse, Clifford, and Doc McStuffins
    Stickers
    Games:  Hide n Seek, Memory, and Cootie (with modified rules of course!)
    Dancing, twirling, and singing
    Hugs (but you can keep the kisses, she wipes them off these days!)
    Snacks:  fruit snacks, string cheese, chex mix, chocolate (loclate)
    Cracking us up with her smarts and clever use of vocabulary.  Some of her favorite new words      
    include:
        Actually:  Example - Actually mom, I want to wear sweat pants.
        Recognize:  Example - Is this mine?  I didn't even recognize it?
        Certainly:  Example - It certainly does taste good.  (referring to an old cracker found in her
                           car seat!)
        Seriously:  Example - Seriously Dad, you need to learn to listen. 

Birthday Dinner with Friends!

Minnie Mouse Ice Cream Cake

Delicious!

Looking forward to many adventures with my big girl in the next year!

Tis the Season

After a fun, busy, and relaxing week of celebrating Christmas with our families, we are back at work and struggling to get back into a routine.  This morning was rough for all of us . . . Our 2 year old in particular could be heard "barking" out the words "I'm still tired" this morning, long after she should have been out of bed.  Of course that couldn't be due to the fact that she was still up talking in her bed at 10:00 last night . . . Tis the season to get back into a routine!

At Christmas, we are reminded even more how blessed we are!  This is clear by our overflowing dressers, closets and store room, that were full before the Christmas gifts came home.  It's amazing to me that we can have so much when there are so many that have so little . . . Tis the season to share our blessings!

Our tree is still up and we have several gifts still needing a home.  Miss Pinky has 9 new stuffed furry friends, several which have new dress-up clothes, as does their owner!  I think we need to get her a closet organizer for her birthday.  Think she'd like that?  New shoes, new clothes, and new items for the garage . . . Tis the season to get organized!

Our treadmill has been collecting dust in the basement for much too long.  We're feeling motivated by friends how have hit 1000 miles running in the last year.  I'm trying to convince my better half that he can hit 1000 miles, especially if he trains for the half marathon this spring.  I am thinking 500 miles will be more realistic since I will be wearing my walking shoes through most of June (and hoping to waddle the 5K in May) . . . Tis the season to get moving!

I read a joke the other day about new year's resolutions . . . Someone was explaining what they meant to another who didn't know.  His description: a "to-do" list for the first week of January!  Tis the season to be realistic about what we can accomplish while committing to making some positive and healthy changes!!!

Happy New Year!!!!