Your 3rd Birthday

I'll begin with saying that you were already having such a "big" girl week by waking up dry three mornings in a row.  One more milestone showing how you're becoming more and more of a little girl and less of my baby. It's so fun watching you grow, but a little sad that it's happening so fast. I wish I could bottle up some of these moments to use later, but no such luck. It's just making me realize how important our time together truly is, and I don't want to take the days between your birthdays for granted. Speaking of birthdays ...

You had such a fun day! So fun, that there were a handful of moments when I held back a few tears because it was just too sweet how excited you got over the smallest things. For example, after getting up and making your way downstairs to get ready for your big day, you realized that I had, in fact, made you "purple cookies" to share with your friends at school. As if that wasn't exciting enough, seeing that there were also sprinkles on top, sent you in joy overload ... You jumped up and down, clapping your hands saying, "Purple cookies for me, for my buthday! YAAAY! ... But we can't eat them now. No, we have to wait. Okay?" The jumping up and down while clapping and yelling "YAAAY!" happened throughout the day.

Once we made it to school, you were greeted with a "Happy Birthday!" as we stepped out of the elevator. Then, Miss Ansley was SUPER excited to see the birthday girl, as you were to see her. (You love Miss Ansley so much. :) Your friend, Maggie, even wore her new purple outfit in honor of your special day which was also so exciting for you. You quickly had to show her your purple cookies, you later shared during your morning snack. Woo hoo, shooooogerrrr rush! As we were getting ready to leave for the day, you and Miss Ansley were saying your goodbyes. Another "tug at my heartstrings moment" happened when the two of you were hugging, Miss Ansley was telling you she loved you and went on to say how glad she was to able to see you turn 3 today and be a part of it (or something to that nature :). It's a wonderful feeling knowing that you're so cared for throughout the day by someone you love so much.

For dinner, we went to your favorite restaurant ... Waffle House ... for your favorite food ... breakfast! The waitress was a lady who remembered us from a time before (super sweet and fun) and she ended up playing the birthday song on the jukebox. After it started playing and you listened to the words, you said, "They're playing this song for me, for my buthday!" (Followed with some giggles and more claps, of course.) We made our way home for more "purple cookies," with candles this time, and presents. Again, your innocent joy continued to melt my heart and I caught myself looking through the lens of the camera at this beautiful little girl, my beautiful daughter and my heart smiled.

By this time, it would've been bath time on a normal night, but we HAD to decorate construction paper with your new stickers and then you asked me to "please" color with you in the playroom. Well, of course, and THEN it was bath time. You had me sing the valentine song you learned at school this week, over and over and over and over again, replacing a few words many different, many different, many different times. Your imagination is really opening up these days, and we just love it. You're such the silly goose sometimes. :)

I'm so happy you enjoyed your day and it's such a joy watching your personality grow. I promise not to hold on too tight, if you promise not to grow as fast over the next three years. We love you Briles, a big 'ole pile.