It happened-she turned 3. Despite a few threats to cancel her birthday all together it actually did take place. I love the age of 3. I am so excited for this year. She has always seemed older than her actual age. She was super excited about this day. We started in the morning by opening a few presents. One was from my Auntie Cathy. She got American Tale figurines and American Tale movies which she was really excited about and a nursery rhymes CD. Did I mention she can recite by heart: Hey Diddle Diddle, Hickory Dickory Dock and Humpty Dumpty. From us she got a big girl drink cup, a t-shirt that says, "Happy to be 3" a book and a cd of Strawberry Shortcake songs.
Before her party started Grandma and Grandpa came over and brought their gift and the one from Grandma and Grandpa Brian. She got outfits (super cute ones), a Dora Tent (also super cute) and a set of Princess books from Grandma and Grandpa Parsons. She has clung to the books ever since. From Grandma Connie and Grandpa Verle she got a giant princess coloring book with stickers. She is also very possessive about that.
Here is what the birthday spread looked like.
Here is our oh so cute and fabulous birthday girl.
And the party. We had the basketball team over. We were going to do a barbecue for them anyway so we just decided to combine the two and it was the best birthday for her. They all adore her and she adores them. They were so sweet and played with her, they gave her gifts and they even played musical princess puzzles (like musical chairs). I promised them they would only have to play once but they all wanted to play again. They let Allie win both times and she thought that was so great.
This scenario deserved pictures all on their own. After the party was over some of the girls still stayed and went outside with Allie to do "an activity game." This is where Allie likes to be the boss and tell others what to do (trust me we have done it a few times.) However these girls were much more willing than her own mother ever is. They marched around in circles with her, did their hands high and low and which ever way she said and they even all shook their hips on Que.
What a perfect day for this sweet girl.
I just wanted to include a few Allie stats for future reference.
By her 3rd birthday she could:
-count to 20
-Recognize and name letters A-T and W, X and Z.
-She knows all her shapes (well the basic ones)
-She knows almost every color
-She can spell her name and recognize it when it is written.
-She can dress herself but doesn't usually cooperate and do it
-She recognizes and can tell you the story of many church pictures.
-She loves nursery
-She loves to sing (and has a fantastic memory for song lyrics even if she only hears them on the radio once).
-She loves to dance and watch herself dance.
-We have finally nearly mastered getting her to brush her teeth. She usually does the bottoms on her own and I do tops but at least it isn't a battle everytime any more.
-She is a master staller and can doddle like a pro.
-She loves dirt and sand
-She hates dogs but wants a cat
-She wants to be most everyone's friend.
-She loves books and reading. We get new books almost weekly from the library.
-She loves chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese, beans, cucumbers, peas, tacos, spaghetti, french toast, baked oatmeal, and anything sweet. She is a pretty good eater most of the time.
-Her favorite shows are Little Bear, Fresh Beat Band, Dora and Mickey Mouse Club House. She loves Strawberry Shortcake movies.
