Our Big Girl Turns 3!

Yesterday was Makenna's 3rd birthday! It was a fantastic day - mostly because Kenna was so giddy all day that it was finally her birthday. She woke up with a grin and went to bed with a grin (probably a little sugar-induced, but a grin nonetheless!). It was my favorite 'kid's' birthday so far because Kenna is at the age where she understands why we are celebrating and was SO excited for each part of the day. She woke up dancing around saying "we're having strawberry waffles cuz it's my birthday!". Then "we're going to a birthday party playdate to get cupcakes cuz it's my birthday!". Then "Daddy's coming home and we're gonna have cake and open presents cuz it's my birthday!". And on and on. :) How can the day go wrong with that kind of enthusiasm? She also came up with the logic that she can do all the big girl things now that she's three. I, for one, took advantage of that one with things like "now that you're 3 you can't fight anymore because 3 year-olds don't fight". We'll see how long that one lasts!

Overall it was a wonderful day and we were so happy to be celebrating Makenna. She is a fantastic little girl. Nothing can make me smile more than the funny things she says or the way she sings or the way she takes care of her sister. I am so proud of her and can't imagine our home without her. I love my little Makenna! Now, in honor of our birthday girl (and because they make me smile!), here are a few of her recent sayings:

Sage was throwing a tantrum and Kenna rolled her eyes and said "Sage, save your batteries!" (from Woody on Toy Story)

Kenna also decided that the word "Yum" is a verb. She has been using it frequently, as in "Mom, I yummed my dinner all gone." Or, "Daddy, don't yum my strawberry!"

At dinner Nate said, "Kenna, you are so smart and beautiful and such a big girl and we are so proud of you." She replied, "You too, Daddy....especially beautiful!" When Nate tried to correct her and say "no boys are handsome", she just laughed and said, "I was just teasing Daddy!"

Kenna was mad one night that it was cloudy so she couldn't see the moon. We were driving and she started mumbling in the backseat "When I grow bigger I'm going to take all the clouds and put them in time-out forever!" That girl's got a lot of growing to do! (Although I bet most Eugenians would be thankful!)

She is also becoming a little adult, saying things like "that's what happens" (always in a very motherly tone), "otherwise", "as a matter of fact", "actually" and "totally" (always sounding like a teenage girl - where'd she get that?!)

My favorite "sweet" thing she's started doing lately is singing to Sage. Frequently when we're driving in the car she'll ask Sage if she wants to sing with her. Sage always enthusiastically says "Uh-huh!". Kenna then goes through a list of songs until she figures out what Sage wants. The two of them sing, with Kenna occasionally making up words and Sage doing actions and throwing in a word here or there (she's already following in her sister's footsteps). We tell stories or sing together almost every time we're in the car - I don't even remember the last time they let me listen to the radio - but nothing melts my heart like hearing my girls sing together. Oh how I love those two!

Happy to have her favorite waffles with strawberries!

How we spent the next few hours: reading & playing dress-ups

Arguably my new favorite picture of Makenna - you can just see the pride & excitement in that face! Love it!

Sage was a pretty happy camper, too!

Since her bike riding experience on our Utah vacation, Kenna has been so excited to get her own bike. We were planning on finding a second-hand one for her this summer, but she had other plans. Anytime we asked her what she wanted to do for her birthday, she'd say "ride my new bike". Well the day before her birthday she brought it up again..."for my birthday I'm going to get a bike!" (We hadn't gotten one for her yet.) I called Nate and told him we might need to rethink the whole bike thing or Kenna might be a little disappointed. He said "Well then, let's go get one!" So that night when he got home, we went to the store & picked one out. While Nate sneakily bought it, I took the girls to pick out some party stuff (like the "Tangled" paper plates she was so excited for!). On her birthday, after she had opened all her other presents, we said "Was there anything else you wanted for your birthday?" She immediately replied, "My bike!" We had one more bag for her to open and she looked a little confused as to how we fit a bike in it. When she pulled out her new helmet she basically said "but I need a bike with this". She ran to the garage door and opened it and there was her new pink bike. It was so fun to see her excitement and watch her try it out. She was a natural and Nate already can't wait to take her on bike rides this summer!

What a cutie!

For her birthday she wanted a "Huge, Giant Cupcake"...So that's what she got!