A Full Birthday

Ellison had a great day on her birthday. Our little tradition is to go into her room when she wakes up presenting her with a balloon and singing "Happy Birthday" while the video camera is crammed in her face. Thankfully, it's the one day she actually wakes up with a smile on her face, rather than her cranky little, "I want my Daddy", with a scowl on her face when she realizes it's just Mom. Daddy left the house before she woke up to go get Krispy Kreme doughnuts for her class at preschool. She woke up while he was gone, but was so excited to see that he came back before going to work so he could wish her a happy birthday.

Tinkerbell, a fave right now...

I let her open a little gift from me after she got up.

She'd been wanting this tiara from the grocery store every week we are there.

For our little princess

Love her little body language as she's getting sung to again with her birthday doughnut.

The classic "mid-blow" photo

Fun with bubble wrap before heading to preschool.

Ellison came home from school with a birthday hat from her teachers. After I picked her up, we ran through the drive-thru of Chick-Fil-A (Ell's fave), then met Megan and Baity (and Nevin and Valerie) at the park for lunch and play time.

So excited to spot her Barbie Fairytopia Princess cake - the very one she's been eyeing all summer long and asking for! Can you believe they didn't have the Hispanic Barbie?! Maaaan... She really wanted the regular Barbie cake, but was still just as content with this one - I think as long as it had a giant dress we were golden.

Her little preschool birthday hat. Yes, she has a summer dress on, no it was not that warm out. This was prior to the mass exodus of her summer dresses from her closet and into storage. I didn't have the heart to argue with her about it on her birthday.

Opening up her scrolled artwork sent from her cousin, Lucas.

After Daddy came home from work, Ellison's cousin Tato (aka Peter), Nilda, Bianca, and Natalia all drove up from Concord after the girls got out of school, just to celebrate Elli's birthday with us! It was SO nice! Poor Ellison was so patient, waiting ALL DAY to open her birthday presents, so it was the first thing she wanted to do after we all ate dinner.

Her new shoes that Daddy bought for her in the UK. Still too big, but she's lovin' 'em. Did you expect otherwise???

With Nilda

Hugs for Nilda (whom E calls "Milda")

Playing with Nati

She has that little embarrassed look on her face that she gets, while we were all singing to her again.

The neighbor girl, Alyssa, came over to join us for cake and ice cream, then the 4 girls played for a little while.

Ellison trying out her new dress-up cheerleading outfit from Aunt Andrea, Uncle Josh, and her cousins back in MI.

The rest of the evening was spent playing with new toys and getting in Daddy's way ;-) while Daddy was putting together her new Baby Center (her big gift from Mommy & Daddy). Unfortunately, she had to go to bed that night without it complete yet.

Not a bad day for a 3 year old, eh?

[November 5, 2009]