Ivy’s 3rd birthday

Wow, our baby girl is 3! She is full of energy, laughs, and such a joy to our family. So thankful God chose her to be part of our family and pray blessings over her life all her days. Here are a few things she says are her favorites and what she likes to do these days: favorite food – shrimp, favorite dessert – ice cream, favorite song – patty cake, favorite thing to do – play with sissy (they like to play dress up a lot, play with figurines, and put on shows), biggest dislike: bugs, flies or any little critter (if she sees a fly in the house she freaks out).

Ivy’s birthday party was a week early over Labor Day weekend. Cousin Ava and Ivy had a combined celebration for their 3rd birthdays. Stephanie and Lisa took them to pick out their party decorations which we figured we would be combining themes but both them went straight to Hello Kitty and even picked the same cupcakes on two different pages for their party. The two of them are a day shy of a month apart, enjoy playing together, and like the same things. Of course with the summer heat we decided a pool party would be good idea. We were lucky the weather held out until just after the party since it was a 80% chance of rain all day. It was a fun filled time with our family celebrating our two little princesses. Blessed to have family so close in age to both our girls.

Lisa was off on Ivy’s “real birthday” as the girls call it. Ivy slept in and was well rested for her big day (even was able to skip nap time). Mommy and Leia went up singing the birthday song to her to start her big day. Ivy got to plan the day for us; Leia helped her by giving her suggestions throughout the day. However, the breakfast decision was all Ivy, chocolate chip pancakes and sausage. Her pancake was topped off with a candle for her first birthday wish of the day. After breakfast she asked to open her presents so mommy let her open one from daddy, mommy, and sissy but told her she needed to wait on daddy to get home for the other two. The girls wanted to play with the tattoos and hair pieces so they decided to get ready for the day themselves then went to the car and said they were ready to go without knowing where they wanted to go (I assume they just wanted out of the house). Typical, Ivy did not bother getting shoes when she climbed in and buckled herself so we did have to turn around to get them. On the second trip out the girls decided we should go to Chuck-e-Cheese. They opened a hour later starting in September so we went to browse in the Campus Store while we waited. Ivy got attached to a elephant as soon as we went in so she walked out the store with it while Leia decided to get a UA necklace for game days; Ivy is a smart girl and used it’s my birthday to get the special treat. One of the workers at Chuck-e-Cheese saw use waiting to get in and opened it 15 minutes early so it was fabulous having the whole place to ourselves for a little bit. Girls were having a blast there until the mouse came out. Leia ran to him to get a hug but Ivy climbed up mommy and was ready to get out of that place to escape running into him again. Both girls decided to save their tickets to save up for some items that were 400 – 500 tickets but we did get another necklace so both girlies have one like Ivy gotten last time we went to stop the loud decisions over it. By the time we left it was lunch time and Mimi was at our house waiting to give the birthday girls a birthday hug. As we were heading home Ivy declared, “I don’t want to go home; I want to go have more fun”. She was excited when we got home though and saw Mimi with balloons at her front door. Ivy decided she would open a present and requested shrimp for lunch. We went to Joe’s Crab Shack since there is a fun play area for the girls too. They had the play area all to themselves and a blast sliding, climbing, and exploring the tunnels. After we ate Ivy was serenaded and danced in a hola skirt, she was shaking it and was impressive with her skills. Next stop on her list (with Leia’s input) was Sweet Frogs for a little yogurt. Neither girl fussed when mommy suggested going home next since Sara and Katie would be there after school plus we were able to FaceTime cousins Adrian and Alicia. Ivy got to open the rest of her presents from Mimi then she and sissy went outside to play a little bit waiting on their cousins. Ivy was opening her gifts from them as soon as they got here and the four of them started playing. Of course, when one of them pointed out that there bugs Ivy and Katie took off to get in the house (neither of those two are fans of little critters). Daddy brought dinner home on his way from golfing and the doctor and the girls enjoyed Zoe’s rice. Unfortunately, daddy started feeling really yucky that afternoon and he did not get to join in on the birthday fun but Ivy got her birthday hug from her daddy before he was sent to bed for the evening. Thanks daddy for bringing dinner home the girls enjoyed it. After dinner Ivy got to make her last birthday wish of the day before everyone left and FaceTime Grandpa and Deedee. I think our big 3 year old had a great day celebrating and we are thankful for all the birthday blessings she received throughout the day.

Ivy’s and Ava combined their 3rd birthday parties

Waking up out birthday princess

Ivy ordered her choice for breakfast

Our sweet friends Mrs Pam joined us to tell Ivy happy birthday too

Ivy got to open one present after breakfast but mommy made her wait to open the others till daddy got home. The girls did enjoy getting tattoos and playing with the hair though

The girls got to go to Chuck-e-Cheese for birthday fun that morning until Ivy saw the mouse then she wanted to get out of there

Mimi got off work early and came to spend the afternoon with Ivy for her birthday. Think Ivy enjoyed her Mimi there to celebrate with her. Mimi treated us to shrimp for lunch too at Joe’s Crab Shack. The girls enjoyed getting to play while we waited on food and Ivy danced in a hoola skirt while we sang happy birthday

Of course we went for a little treat to on Ivy’s special day