Flashback Friday: Happy 3rd Birthday!
Happy 3rd Birthday Girls!
Today’s Flashback Friday goes back to 2008 for the girls 3rd birthday! We did a Garden & Bug theme for this birthday party. It was neat seeing them getting excited as we decorated for the birthday party. They had a blast! It is amazing how quickly they are growing up.
The family is ready to celebrate at their 3rd birthday party! WooHoo!
Grandma Kay made the delicious birthday cakes for the girls. Brina had a bumble bee, Karlie had a ladybug, and the big cake was a flower garden. They looked adorable! Jake’s Mom makes some amazing cakes!
Brina and Karlie with Grandma Kay right before the birthday party!
Watching the candles as the guests sing Happy Birthday! So excited!
Checking out the candles and their cakes!
Karlie eating little bits while Brina digs right now!
Brina’s ready for clean up…I think it’s Jake turn to hose her down, ha!
Karlie eating her cake and enjoying the fun!
Snacking on their yummy party food!
When they were little we pulled the cooler up the counter so they could stand on it and “help” us cook. Food is ready now the party can begin!
Opening their birthday gifts!
Teaching Our Children: How to Celebrate Special Days (Wrapping Gifts & Writing Cards)
Birthday balloons they picked out earlier this year - Karlie picked out the star one and Brina picked out the birthday celebration one. When a celebration is drawing near whether it is a Birthday or Holiday or Baby Shower or Wedding or just something fun the girls get excited. They LOVE wrapping gifts and writing cards. It is cute watching them pick out the perfect card, beautiful wrapping paper, special balloon, and diligently work on putting together their surprise. Sure they use a lot more tape, wrapping paper and the process can be messy but think about all the amazing opportunities you have to teach your child during it.
- The Joy of Giving to others
- How to wrap a gift with wrapping paper, in a gift bag, and adding the additional bling (ribbons, small gifts, etc…) to it
- Hand Eye Coordination Skills with the cutting, taping, and folding
- Creativity with wrapping and writing the card
- Thinking of others
- Measuring
- Shapes
- Sharing with someone else
- Sizes and how they fit into a bag or how much paper they will need
- And Many More
Karlie wrapping a gift I let them each pick out their own wrapping paper to use. It was a looked a little more like “Christmas” Holiday wrapping paper but that’s what they wanted and it was their gift to give away. As you can see she picked out a special “treat” gift as well! I am amazed at how much more efficient they have become even in the last year with wrapping. Yes, we still have the occasional – “Mom, I didn’t cut the wrapping paper big enough” but overall they are getting better at the process as a whole. (I’ve even had problems not cutting the paper big enough!)
Brina working on a card Many times the girls will write not only a note in a card to someone but also draw and color a picture for them. They really do put a lot of heart and thought into the cards and gifts. It is really neat to see how much they care for others and enjoy doing it. To them wrapping and card writing is almost as good (maybe better some days) than doing a craft. Thankful for their willingness to be a blessing to others both family and friends.
Vacation & Travel: Vermont Fun & Celebrations
Karlie, Daddy, and Brina putting together their lego creations! Thankful for a husband who invests time in the lives of the children. The girls adore their Daddy! I love all three of you so very much!
Writing and drawing on tree bark. It is amazing the cool stuff you find in Vermont. As Daddy and PopPop were splitting wood these pieces of paper fell off of the tree and the girls thought they were the neatest “craft” paper.
Daddy taking Brina for a short ride on the four wheeler. Brina all smiles after her ride on the four wheeler with Daddy. So much fun!
Karlie's turn on the 4-wheeler Karlie is pleased with herself for “helping” Daddy drive the four wheeler!
Karlie and Brina riding with PopPop on the tractor. The tractor was out so the girls enjoyed riding for a few minutes with PopPop!
Fun times in Vermont It’s the little stuff that make them smile. Thankful for opportunity to spend time with Nana and PopPop.
Celebrating Nana's Birthday! We were able to celebrate Nana’s birthday during our visit. The girls helped make and decorate the cake for the party.
Blowing out the candles! It was a blessing to share Nana’s birthday with her!
PopPop and the girls! Brina admiring the butterfly plates while PopPop and Karlie watch Nana cut the birthday cake.
Nana enjoying her birthday! Nana is a beautiful lady both inside and out. We love you Nana! Thanks for sharing your birthday with us.
PopPop getting into the festivities! Fun times with PopPop.
Karlie target practicing with Daddy. Karlie did pretty well hitting the target.
Brina had a blast practicing. Brina thought is was a lot of fun to sh0ot and find all the empty casings.
Boutique of fresh and wild flowers from Vermont! Brina and Karlie loved picking the beautiful flowers from PopPop’s garden and along the trails.
Enjoying some sparkler time! Standing on the rocks spelling out their names with sparklers!
Brina and Karlie saying goodbyes to PopPop and Nana. Time to head home. Saying goodbye and ready for the final leg of our long road trip! We are thankful for our time with PopPop and Nana in Vermont.
A Vacation To Remember series is a reflection on our recent trip and ways we relaxed. Life is short and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to build memories with family and explore of of the most amazing places during our time away. Explore with a good attitude, look for fun and it will be an awesome trip jammed packed with positive memories. It is refreshing having some time away from the regular routine. Make it a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet new people and learn. You just might see or try something new that takes your breath away!
