Did you know Z is 3!?

Because, apparently, from the blog - you would know nothing about her birthday party! Mom fail.

So, in -August- we had a birthday party at our friend Link's pool. When I asked Z what kind of cupcakes she wanted she kept telling me she wanted fish cupcakes, but she wanted -her- cupcake to have a shark. I have no idea what this came from. (For her 4 year old birthday, she wants a princess cake. Big surprise. She is already talking about it. A lot.)

So, I went on a candy shop hunt for one, just one, shark gummi. And then Tia and I researched cupcakes decorated with fish. Here is what we ended up with:

And our niece was with us but without an in-pool chaperone so Matt and I were fielding 3 non swimming kiddos around a pool but thank goodness Tia was helping us on that end! It was in that moment I almost vowed never to have a pool party again. If you have more than one child and none of them can swim, it's very stressful! I really don't know what I'm going to do this summer. Splashpads. And that pool at the Y that is really shallow and I guess leave Ben on the side in his carseat? Or Bjorn? Seriously. I have no plan.

That weekend Abba and Nana also took Z out to eat for her birthday. Our kids are in a restaurant... I'd say never. So it was a really fun treat! And one of Matt's old students was our server so that was fun too - and they brought out a giant cake/ice cream concoction for Z which we all helped her eat. And the mariachi sang her Happy Birthday which she was less than thrilled about.   We also went to Six Flags the next day with Tia - and it was so! hot! Z loves, loves, loves to "ride rides" and basically has no fear. Except of Yosemite Sam and this one ride where you go into a cave in a boat. She really didn't like that one. But all the thrill ones - she loves! Ana spent time with Mimi so she wouldn't have to brave the heat without any of the ride riding fun.

Happy girl

Still working on it

Tex-Mex cheese

Spinning like a champ

Mimi presents!

I think she rode this one like 50x

Pool Party!

Shark investigation

Chomp

This kid loves food.

So, Z as a 3 year old is -smart-, kind, super crazy and talk.a.tive. She loves her baby sister and loves books, puzzles and music. I'm trying to remember what she was like in August - but life just sort of blurs together. But without a doubt God has created a loving little girl who is very mindful of other people and their feelings/experiences. We are so grateful to get to experience her silly ways and love on her every day.