(She's 3!)Being a mom really DID change my life completely. I could no longer just go out anytime I wanted, do whatever, whenever I wanted, go on a date with my husband whenever we felt like it... arrangements must be made for anything and everything now a days. We take into consideration how our actions will affect our daughter, time away, is it really worth it? Is this time away beneficial to our lives enough to not be spending that time with our daughter. Typically the answer is, yes, the time away is important enough. And we have been so incredibly blessed with family that is always willing and able to spend time with Claire so we can go out on dates, go to the gym, go to school and work. I think Chase and I are a pretty good team, backed by some pretty incredible family members.
So, yesterday, for Claire's birthday we made the day ALL about her, nothing much better whether you are 3 or 30, right?
First we got donuts for breakfast, then we rode scooters around the neighborhood. Then we got the house ready for a party, cleaned, prepped food, and got our 3 year old ready for her nap, which she never really took with all of the excitement. While she was "quietly resting" in her room we filled the entire house with streamers and balloons, you should have seen her face when "rest time" was over! Pure joy!
We had family over for Claire's choice of food: Hamburgers, chicken, rice, salad, green beans and of course CUPCAKES.
After blowing out her 3 birthday candles and making a wish ( I have no idea what she wished for, but I would like to find out), then we promptly went to opening gifts. All other gifts were ignored, forgotten and tossed to the side once she saw Roller Blades from her Uncle Kyle, which she had to wear for the duration of opening gifts.
Luckily she had a helmet! Her new roller blades were coupled with knee pads, elbow pads and gloves! She looked so cool, and she had so much fun skating around with her dad, look at that smile!
We cleaned up after all the family left and we will continue the celebration for a few weeks. She gets to go to the movies and Monterey Bay Aquarium for the first time soon. We do special milestones for each year. For example, when you are 3 you get to go to the movies, when you are 4 you can go to a baseball game, 5 Disneyland, 10 she can get her ears pierced... etc... This makes every year fun with something to look forward to. We keep in mind her development and what we think she will enjoy (with her active personality outdoor things are typically the best!) We took her camping at only 3 months old, and we will be doing that every year until we can't move!
I had Claire answer this really exciting questionnaire! I can't wait to do this with her again next year and every year after to compare the answers. She is so FUNNY!
What is your name? Claire Dionna Suzanne Dobbins ______
How old are you?____________________Free (3)________
What is your favorite color?____________Pink_______________________
Who are your Best Friends?___Bobbi, Mommy and Daddy__________________________
Favorite animal?_______The Elephant__________________________________________
What do you want to be when you are all grown up?____Kill
Bad Guys_________________
What are your favorite movies?_Home Alone, Harry Potter,
Curious George, Daddy Day care, Scooby Doo, Monsters Inc, Little Monsters,
What are your favorite books?_ _Twinkle Twinkle Star,
(recited the poem twinkle star), Olivia, Elmer, Curious George.
What makes you happy?____You laughing.
What does Your mom/dad do for work? Mommy goes to the gym
and school. Daddy goes to work and kills bad guys.
Where do you like to eat? In Panera with a baby chair, I eat
sandwiches and macaroni and rice and beans and green beans and and I drink
chocolate milk and eat raviolis.
What did you want to eat for your birthday? Cupcakes,
What is your favorite food to eat?__________Chocolate
Milk, Raviolis, Mac and Cheese, chicken nuggets, corn dogs, baby hamburgers.
What is your favorite song to sing?_Dear Abby, Drive my
truck,
What games do you like to play?___Riding bikes, scooter, swing
set, bubbles, going to the park, I like to do push ups (shows me some push ups)
A mother’s love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity, it dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path.
--Agatha Christie
