Victoria is Three!!

I can't believe it. I just can't believe that my little lady is already three. "They" say it goes by fast, but it has gone by ridiculously fast.

Here is a run down of the birthday celebration:

We started off the day with a trip to the donut shop. I do believe that I have passed down my outrageously crazy love for the donut to my kids. I am just amazed at how many donuts those two can gobble down. For that matter, I am always amazed at how many I can gobble down as well ... actually it is more like inhale. It seems that we have made getting donuts on your birthday a bit of a tradition around here. I say let's celebrate all holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, and the like this way!

Later in the morning we made our way to the mall. Destination: Build A Bear. Never been there before. Victoria mentioned it the other day and I thought it might be kinda fun. So, she orginally picked out the Alvin Chipmunk to build and momma said "NO." Then, she picked out the camo bear and momma said "NO." I then gave her the option to choose the pink bear, the Hello Kitty, or the regular light brown bear ... I know, I am so mean. She chose the pink bear ... thank you very much. They stuffed the bear, we brushed the bear, we dressed the bear and then we named the bear ... "Pooh Bear." Yep, we have a Pooh Bear that looks nothing like Winnie the Pooh. But, that is what she named the bear. Honestly, I was just glad that she didn't name the bear "Bear." All of her dolls are named "Baby," all of her bunnies are named "Bunny," and so-on and so-on.



Then we did a bit of shopping at the mall for mommy and Riley and then picked up her birthday cookie. Victoria doesn't like cake, so we opted for the gigantic cookie. We then headed to Party City for the pinata, balloons and anything else that just so happened to jump into our buggy. Walked out of that store $50 poorer. Oh well.

Then lunch at Taco Bueno and home.

No nap for her today. I mean it is her birthday. So, during her naptime, she told me at least a dozen times that today is her birthday. I loved it! I love that she gets it. That this day is for her to celebrate and be extra special.

After a very long 2 hours of waiting once we got Riley from school, we headed over to Pops and Gigis for her birthday party. It was a cluster party of sorts (my sis-in-laws birthday, my bro and other sis-in-laws anniversary and my parents anniversary), but still all about Victoria. Of course, in our family, siblings are never left out. Riley did receive his unbirthday presents. And since it was Katie's (my sis-in-law) birthday as well, the big kids received unbirthday presents as well ... love it!

I love that she just couldn't wait to blow out her candles. She had already blown them out before we started singing.

After weeks and weeks of convincing her, she has finally decided that yes, she is three. She just didn't want to let go of being two.

The jump rope. She wanted a jump rope and a pink ball for her birthday.

Close your eyes Victoria.

The big reveal ... a scooter. She has been wanting one of her own for like forever.

Victoria got her package from Grandma and Grandpa and couldn't wait to get this on.

At age 3, here is Victoria:

Loves: Riley, going anywhere (church, store, school, Walmart, to the mailbox), Minnie Mouse, meat, puzzles, playing outside, donuts, balls, being bossy, Oreos, camping, bathtime, the sandbox, picking out her clothes for the day "I do myself," singing (she knows the lyrics to the theme song for Phineas and Ferb and of course Veggie Tales).

Not so crazy about: Pasta, not getting her own way, Sid the Science kid on PBS (don't blame her, he freaks me out a bit too), french fries (thank goodness), her car seat (she misses the one with flowers on it), chocolate milk, wearing bows (of this I am very sad, but still holding out hope), veggies (except raw carrots swimming in ranch).

I am sure she is off the charts on height and weight. She is the size of a five year old. I was thinking that Riley was the same size as her when he was three, but he wasn't. He was four by the time he reached her numbers. We are officially shopping in the "girls" section. Pretty sure we skipped over size 4T. What absolutely amazes me is that this time last year, she was wearing 2T. WOW, what a growth spurt kinda year!

I cherish these days I have with Victoria, especially now that we have baby arriving in August and she will be going to preschool in the fall. She is a delight to have around, even when she raises her hand and says "don't talk me." She is at her best when she has a job to do. She loves to help out. She hates to be ignored and lets you know it. She is Riley's shadow when he is home. Poor guy hardly gets a moment to himself these days. Thankfully, it doesn't bother him ... most of the time. She has the sweetest prayers at night, thanking God for everyone in the family and for her friends at church and every so often throwing in the occasional toy. We are so very thankful for our surprise baby girl. She can make us laugh, pull our hair out and be so very proud all in one moment.