Brenna, All About You At 3!!

Happy Birthday, Brenna!  You are 3 years old today!!!  What a year it's been.  You have definitely grown up so much this year.  And we have hit so many milestones.  I'm so proud of you how well you've done in so many different areas. 

For starters, the Pacy Fairy came and you completely said goodbye to your pacies that you loved so much.  By 2 1/2 you were Pacy Free and you really handled it so well.  Only a few tears at the very beginning.  I thought this transition would be much tougher than it was.  The Pacy Fairy left you a letter and a little bear and you still talk about them and know who gave them to you.  The dentist could really tell a difference too.

Then you found out you were going to be a big sister.  You insisted from the very beginning that you would be getting a little sister and if we even mentioned the possibility that it could be a baby brother, you would break down in tears.  Well you were right, you are getting a baby sister and she will be here soon!  I know you will be a big helper once she arrives...just as long as she doesn't take your stuff because you will tell me "Mommy, I don't want to share."  This could be a problem....

Our next big step was getting your big girl bed.  Bye-Bye Crib.  You loved your crib and slept really well in it...never once did you climb out, couldn't quite figure out how some of your friends could climb in and out...you needed a little boost.  You've done beautifully in your bed. It took about a week where we had to reverse the lock so you couldn't run out when you wanted to, and you were not happy about that but it wasn't long before you slept in your bed all night by yourself.

Lastly, you are 100% potty trained!  Yay!!!  This was a lot easier than I anticipated (for once something was easier)...you did a great job.  We introduced the idea around 2 and you weren't quite ready but a few months in and you pee pee'd on the potty like a champ.  It took another 2 months to conquer #2 but overall you caught on so fast and you rarely have any accidents.  Even at night, you will call for mommy if you have to go.  We really lucked out here, thanks for throwing us a bone in this department, boo boo!

You still go to Holy Spirit Lutheran Preschool and just started in the 3 year old class.  Now you go to school on Tues,Wed, and Thursday.  Mommy works while you are at school so we can play together during the times you are home. On Monday we have dance class and on Fridays we go to storytime at the library.  Our days are filled with fun activities with some TV time and book time sprinkled in there too. 

Your favorite shows right now are Dora the Explorer and anything Princess related.  You like many different books (we are at the library a lot swapping our books and DVD's).  Mommy has to read the princess ones because "you're a girl" and Daddy reads the other ones.  You like to read Chicka Chicka Boom Boom.  You have such a cute high and squeaky voice. 

You are a really big helper in the kitchen. You like to make smoothies with Daddy and bake cookies with Grandma Joann. 

You like to talk like a grown-up.  You get in this moods where you are the mommy or the teacher and talk to daddy and me like we are the kids.  You might say "Mommy, did you drop that toy on the floor (even if I didn't), you can't do that mommy, you're making a mess, you need to clean it up.  And tell my baby you're sorry, you stepped on her foot (even if I didn't) and you hurt her. Tell her you are sorry, Mommy, alwight?  Alwight, Mommy?  Did you hear me?  I'm talking to you"

As you can tell, you talk A LOT!  You can have a conversation about anything and it's fun teaching you things and watching you learn and retain.

Personal space:  This is big for you with your friends.  You don't like running hugs from friends and you don't want anyone to grab your hand without asking first.  You are affectionate but you just don't like to be caught off guard.  You need to feel like you have control in the situation.

We love you sooooo much!!!!  I can't wait to see what year 3 brings! 

Mom and Dad's 65th Birthday Party

Mom and Dad celebrated their 65th birthdays this year (just 3 days apart) so I was thrilled to throw them a little lunch party.  I did a 50's themed lunch and we had so much fun. 

Our Diner Set-Up

Juke Box and 50's Music in the background

Uncle Jerry emailed me a bunch of pictures of Mom from the 50's and I had a lot of Dad from Fran's old albums.  I taped them all around the dining room and I loved seeing them walk around and look at all the pcitures. 

Real records as chargers

Dancing

More Dancing

Cheeseburgers and French Fries with Milkshakes

Watching the Happy Birthday video from Steve and Judy.

Awesome cake that Jeff and Jackie made.  So cool!

And he's out!

Happy Birthday Mom and Dad!  Love you so much!

Happy 2nd Birthday Brenna!

Brenna turned 2 on August 29th and we had a big "Pancakes and Pajamas" party at the house.  I got the idea from a friend and it was so much fun!  The party started at 9:30am and we had a buffet of pancakes with all the topings for the kids and a little spread of breakfast goodies for the adults. 

It was perfect for Brenna because:

1) She loves pancakes! And by love, I mean the first thing she does every morning is get out the syrup out of the pantry and say "Pancakes!"

2) Having a breakfast party in the beginning of the day is perfect for 2 year olds who still nap in the afternoon

3) It's a relatively cheap party idea. You can feed a lot of people on pancakes and other breakfast items without spending a portion of your kid's college fund.

4) Any occasion to serve coffee and mimosas is always very much appreciated by adults.

My friend Brooke put together this beautiful collage which I think captured the party perfectly.

I had so much fun planning this party.  My mom helped me make decorations and Brett made an awesome toddler size wooden picnic table so that all the kids could sit together on the patio.  For favors, I gave everyone aprons that I got at the dollar store. 

The Etsy-Inspired Birthday Banner I made:

Party Poms that Mom and I made:

The Kids Eating:

Our Giving Tree.  Where guests hung a buck or two in leui of gifts:

Family :-)

Yum!

Guests

Shari, Colleen, and Ben

Maren working a puzzle and Molly stuck in a bucket

Brenna and Ry Ry being silly

Ayrial was so sweet.  She walked around and had everyone at the party sign a giant card for Brenna.

Brenna's adorable PJ outfit and new broom.

Jeff and Jackie

Trey, Audrey, and Jalyn

These 2 are still going

My favorite memory from the party:  Brenna was the last one to get up from the table.  She LOVES pancakes!

Oooh, pretty

So glad Molly Moo could come all the way from Georgia.

A bunch of egg-heads:

Brenna's new kitchen from Grandma, Grandpa, and Aunt Cookie.

The Birthday card from Ayrial

Enjoying real cake (vs the pancake) the next day at Grandma and Grandpa's.