stella vivienne, you're three!

we have been celebrating our sweetest girl stella for the past few days.  she turned three on thursday and it has been heaps of fun ever since.  shortly after waking we started her big day off with fluffy red pancakes and three striped red candles glowing per her request.  red is her color of choice as of late and i have tried to incorporate it here and there to make this birthday extra special.

that sunny afternoon for her birthday treat i took both kiddos to the aquarium downtown and gosh, were we ever surprised.  it was really beautiful and so much fun for both the kids and myself.  we explored a bit as stella shouted "come see, come see!" around every corner.  it was special getting to see her eyes light up as hundreds of fish and sharks and stingrays swam overhead.  if you have little kids and live in the area i really do recommend it.

when andrew got home that evening nana and papa "vivienne" watters came over for pizza, strawberry rhubarb pie pie, and presents.  i noticed a theme taking place as each gift she opened had something or other to do with the outdoors.  her very own gardening tool set, a bug flashlight, a bug box, an umbrella, a 3D puzzle of notre dame (to do with dad this summer outside on our new patio) and a big set of chalk.  this summer spent running barefoot in our our new yard is going to be her best one yet.  all of these fun new toys are going to give her hours of joy and smiles and i cannot wait to jump in and start playing along with.

the weekend came and so did stella's nana and papa and uncle shane from iowa.  when she found out they were coming to celebrate her birthday she said "dat make me so so happy".  what a gift to have them present for her special weekend.  i remember experiencing the same when i was a little girl and it made me happier than any present.  birthday parties are just that much better when all of one's loved ones, especially nana's and papa's, can be there.

on saturday afternoon we had all of her party guests over to our little home.  the rainy weather kept us inside but boy was it ever fun.  every nook and cranny of our home seem to be brimming full of little babes running wildly in princess dresses nibbling on snacks, sipping juice boxes, squeezing their way towards the toys through the legs of onlooking adults.  it was birthday chaos and  it was fun.  from noon to two there were party goers occupying every room in our little treehouse, cake on every surface, and lots of good laughs.  just like birthdays should be.  we sang happy birthday in loud, cheerful voices to stella bear and had the most lovely red velvet cake with three perfectly pink peonies perched atop.  simple and feminine and homemade for my girl.  i am going to make it a tradition to make all of her birthday cakes from now on.  it is something we both can look forward to and when she is old enough i'd love for her to help.

in all, the party was a good one.  stella smiled and smiled and layered on princess gowns and plastic jewelry like you wouldn't believe.  andrew and i are pretty sure her three year old dreams came true that day and despite the fact that i swore i'd never have a princess party for my little girl we are sure glad we did.