More on the birthday girl

OK, so Lily's Birthday WEEK is keepin' us busy over here. The cards, presents, e-mails, and celebrations are not stopping! I know she is loving all of the extra attention, and I am just blown away by everyone's thoughtfulness and generosity. She received this fun little "changing room" last night from a very dear friend of mine (thank you Nicole). She immediately climbed in and checked herself out in the mirror, then poked her head out the window and said "peek-a-boo momma!" And, next thing you know, I'M in there with her...no pictures of that, though. (Sorry)

The three of us had dinner at Texas Road House -- all of us being such steak lovers it is naturally a family favorite. Lily didn't eat much, she was much too busy flirting with our waiter and waving at all of the surrounding tables...this child used to scream out in PAIN if anyone would so much as LOOK at her a year ago. Now she is a social butterfly -- it has been such a blast for me to watch her come so far in such a short time. As we left the restaurant she was smiling at all of the people we walked past and yellin' "YEEHAW!" (Which is what they yell when it is your birthday there)...

After dinner it was home to blow bubbles. (You had to see THAT coming, didn't you?) This is the Bubble Queen, afterall. So, I had bought a bunch of new bubble contraptions for her party, but they never even got opened -- the kids were all completely content to play on the swingset. So, we opened them up for Lily last night, and she was squatting like that for about an hour. Bless her bubble blowing heart.

Lastly, Lily received several new books that we have already been incorporating into our reading time. She is loving them! I can tell that age 3 is going to be one that I really enjoy. I have said that about every age thus far, but I think that 3 is something special. She seems to have an added sweetness. Perhaps it is an awareness of the fact that life is good and needs to be savored. She is quick to tell me she loves me sooo much and then she'll run out to the other room and say "Daddy, I really love my momma!"

Today we walked outside and she said, "Momma, it is such a beautiful day." I took her swimming on Monday and she kept gushing..."I really love to swim, momma... I'm really having so much fun, momma...thank you sooo much..." This is also the age of "Yiddy do it"! She is all about doin' it by herself. From putting on her shoes to climbing into her car seat. Back off momma, "Yiddy do it by yourself"...

(This is the last of the birthday installments. On to the next chapter. But, for those of you who commented on Lily's "party dress" in my last post, I wanted to let you know it is by Blueberi Boulevard. They have the cutest dresses and they are really inexpensive --sold at Kohl's and probably on-line. Check 'em out!)