Three Year Check-Up

I've thoroughly documented the three year birthday here, but it didn't include the doctor's check-up. Jono and I were both surprised that our little lady has continued her monster ways. We knew she was tall, but she's surrounded with quite a few tall friends and plays with lots of older kids. And unless you were to pick this little girl up, you might not guess that her left leg is full of bricks ;). I guess we just grow big kids around here.

Height: 39 3/4 inches (90%)
Weight: 37 lbs (90%)

We love our little Claranator girl!

Day for the Mamas

This past weekend we fit in three mom celebrations. The weather cooperated beautifully with our plans. Saturday night we had a Thai takeout picnic at Manito with Jonathan's parents, followed by ice cream at the scoop and a lovely little walk - in honor of Mama Hook. Monday night we also picnicked with my parents, again at Manito but this time with salads and Baskin Robbins ice cream, in honor of Mama Vaughn. We completely spaced taking pictures last night, but managed a few cute ones Saturday. The grandparents and grandkids even coordinated in their navy blue!

Sunday was our day to celebrate as a family of four. And it was a nearly perfect day. Not only was it beautiful, but we had a great day of relaxation + adventure (which is my ideal day). The day started with a tazo tea & cards in bed, followed by breakfast at the Rocket.

Then we had a great service at church and a nice 5ish mile hike in Liberty Lake. Kind of accidentally, we realized this same hike was Clara's first, just as it was Caleb's. We took the hike on Father's Day, just about a month after Clara was born. This time around we didn't make it quite as far as we did last time. The 40+ pound weight increase may have been the reason ;). And the 80+ degrees kind of tired us out more quickly too. But I won't complain. It was a lovely day and a beautiful hike.

Sleeper #1, in his sister's hat

Sleeper #2, looking slightly less comfortable than #1

Afterwards we ate greek food in Post Falls at my favorite restaurant of all - with my favorite girl of all (and favorite boys, too, of course).

I am one blessed mama. Hurrah for three lovely days celebrating moms!

THREE

I cannot believe our little girl is three years old. I have had three hundred sixty-four days to prepare, I know. It just snuck up somehow, I swear to you.

And three seems like such a big number. Somehow the fact that I have a three year old makes me feel like more of a legitimate parent. It sounds silly to say out loud, I know. Maybe this happens to every mama when their oldest turns a year older? I just feel like we are entering new territory around here. It's exciting and terrifying at the same time (mostly exciting).

We are so in love with our little three year old girl. She is every bit the energetic, bright baby girl we described at nine months. She loves life with every ounce of her and she reminds me of the joy found in little things every day.

Here are just a few things about our Clara girl, at the three year mark:
*She is enthusiastic. She practically tackles her cousin when she sees her out of sheer excitement. She enters a room and often declares "Hi everybody, I'm here!!!" (I swear I didn't teach her to do that). And she is very expressive. All the time.
*She is a fabulous big sister and a great helper. She absolutely adores her baby brother and borderline smothers him with affection. I feel like I'm always saying, "Clara that's too much - he doesn't like it!" But Caleb doesn't help me out much. He's almost always smiling after she's tackle-hugged him or sandwiched his cheeks together. She loves trying to make him smile and laugh - and she's a huge help when it comes to running little errands for me and delivering a diaper a blanket when I need it.
*She is sincere and innocent. I just want to bottle her up and keep her from changing. Example: she'll say things like "I just did a great, big poop" (with eyes wide and a big smile) or while driving, "Yes, turn right here mommy. Good job!" I know it's just a matter of time before someone will laugh at her and she'll realize her statements are funny. It's likely Caleb won't have the same innocence because he'll have an older sister to taint him ;). I just want her to stay little as long as humanly possible.
*We are in constant dialogue around here. Surprise, surprise. The verbal one year old is now asking all kinds of why questions these days. Just a few things we've covered in the last week: the homeless man on the street corner, astronauts and aliens, all the schools Clara will attend and at what age, and the reason naps are still essential in this house.
*A few favorite quotes lately, "Now that I'm three years old, may I have some of your special drink?" (me: "sorry, not for a long time") and numerous times, as we're leaving the house "Mommy, don't forget Caleb." (I don't know why she says this all the time. I promise I've never come close to forgetting him!).

Okay, now on to the big day.

On Clara's actual birthday, May 3rd, Jonathan had the day off. We started the day with pancakes and then proceeded to tell Clara we would do anything as a family that she wanted. We ended up at Mobius and then gymnastics. Then she napped and played with her daddy before family came over for a birthday dinner celebration.

We had asked Clara what she wanted for dinner. She said hot dogs (which makes complete sense given the fact that I've literally never bought hot dogs for this girl in her lifetime ;)). So we grilled some hot dogs and brats, ate a few side salads and finished with a pink funfetti cake (another request). She loved spending the evening with her family.

Cuddling with Papa

The very pink cake

Doesn't she look so big?!

Auntie Anna snuggling sweet Hunter

On Saturday we celebrated with a few friends of Clara's choosing, Tangled style. Why Tangled? It just happens to be Clara's current obsession. After watching the movie once, she became majorly fixated on all things "Tangled". She talked nonstop about all the characters (we had to clarify that Flynn was the love interest, not the "daddy" - which was a new concept). She asked questions about every part of the movie imaginable (are they bad guys or good guys, and why). She started singing the songs. And then she started, at random moments, to say "I'm not Clara anymore, I'm Tangled (aka Rapunzel). You are Flynn. Caleb is Pascal (the chameleon). Daddy is bad guy #1." And then she would only respond if I addressed her as "Tangled."

When choosing a birthday theme, I was a little resistant to the Tangled idea at first. Don't get me wrong. I have nothing against princesses or anything like that. I was just okay with another rainbow themed party. Or maybe butterflies or zoo animals. A princess party just seemed so old. But when I shared this with Jonathan he said something along the lines of "well, you could do what Clara likes most or you could just pick what you want to do". Gulp. I decided to embrace the Rapunzel party ;).

Thanks to a friend of mine who forwarded a few links online, it didn't take much effort to find a little inspiration. It's the curse of the age we're in, right? A mama only needs to get online and click on a few links to discover what all the other moms out there are doing. I can assure you, my party was waaaayy less cool than "Supermom's". And none of my ideas were original. I repeat: none. But I had (mostly) a fun time planning our little Tangled party. 

The birthday girl posing with the very long braid (that took far too long to create)

The cupcake tower (much simpler than the fondant 1st birthday cake!)

Guests were invited to come in princess attire (Benjamin was game)

Princess crowns and Pascal party blowers, all ready to decorate

Let the madness begin!

Cousin Sophia sporting her crown and Pascal blower!

A really cute onlooker, posing with his Nana

A little pin the pan on Flynn Rider

Food time: Blue jello boats were the best part

Waiting in anticipation as the birthday song is sung

And she blows!

Princes and Princesses enjoying the cupcakes

The "present time" crowd

And a thank you hug

She loves her Great Aunt "Pammy"

And finally, if you've made it this far: an interview with the three year old, on her golden birthday:

What is your favorite color? "pink"
What is your favorite fruit? "ham" ("what?! A fruit is like a banana or an orange or a strawberry or blueberry or grape) "strawberries & grapes"
What is your favorite veggie? "broccoli and cucumbers and hummus"
What is your favorite drink? "milk and juice"
What is your favorite meal? "applesauce" (hmmm)
What is your favorite thing to wear? "a hat, a pink one" (?!)
What is your favorite book? "Alice the Fairy"
What is your favorite show? "Curious George"
What is your favorite movie? "Tangled" (it'd better be!)
What is your favorite place to go? "Mobius"
What is your favorite thing to play? "telephone" (??)
What is your favorite thing about dad? "I want to read books with him."
What is your favorite thing about mom? "reading books with her"
What is your favorite thing about Caleb? "playing with him"
If you could have anyone come over, who would it be? "Grampy"
What makes you the most excited about turning 3: "getting to hit the pan on Flynn Rider (this was in anticipation of her birthday party)"
What do you want to be when you grow up? "A Clara girl" ;)

And there you have it. Word for word. Her very first interview ;).

We love you, Clara girl, and we can't wait for all the things that are in store for you in the year ahead!!!