A Very Special 3rd Birthday

And the birthday celebrations keep on coming! I wanted to do something for her on her actual birthday, so Sunday night (the 14th) we drove to Victoria and stayed over night because I booked her and Madi into Lizzie Lee and Me in the morning! Mani and Pedis for the cousins, and a haircut for the birthday girl! So fun. 

But first! I cannot believe my girl is 3. WHERE does the time go?! I can remember her birth so vividly (I don't think I will ever forget one detail of that experience!), but her being a baby seems foggy, because she has grown so much! She went from being a teeny little 5 week early preemie, coming home after only five days, perfectly healthy and strong - she was under 5 lbs when we came home, but no jaundice or breathing issues or anything. She amazed me from the first second she was born. I can remember certain things, and different memories come back at funny times, but overall, it is crazy how you just adapt to what is front of you, and how you get used to the new stages so quickly. She now talks in full sentences (and her stories have the tendancy to go on for a few full minutes without taking a breath), gets herself dressed, tells jokes, is incredibly nurturing to animals and kids younger than her... but she is still so strong and mighty and she still amazes me. Quinny, I just adore you. You are fierce and you have your own mind (as you should!) about how the world works, but you are also so gentle and so kind hearted, and I love seeing all these things develop and come out in you. You went from being the littlest of all your friends, to the biggest! You are really tall for your age, and because of your extensive vocabulary, people often tend to think you are older than 3. But you are only 3 - so big, and so small, all at the same time. You are my favorite buddy, my little partner and side kick. We make each other laugh and we have inside jokes that only we know about, and I love spending my days with you (expect when one of us hasn't had a good sleep - then it's no fun for the other person, since we are both grumps when we are tired!). Being your Mama is a joy, even when it's hard, and I love you SO very much my big 3 year old!

We started the day at Nannie and Papas house - you were so excited that it was your birthday! I woke up before you and watched you sleep, because I just can't help it. When you woke up, you were ready to start your big day!

First appointment of the day at Lizzie Lee and Me! The girls were so cute in their matching dresses, ready to be pampered!

First up, haircut for the birthday girl! Her first one ever! I put off cutting her hair because she didn't really need one, her hair grew so nicely! But it was starting to get a bit ragged and the ends needed to be cleaned up to help it continue growing. She wants her hair "super SUPER long", as she says.

She was a bit apprehensive about what was happening, but she sat so still and listened really well to the hair dresser. I also made VERY sure before hand that this lady knew how to cut curly hair, and had done it before. No one is going to messing with these gorgeous curls!

The hairdresser blew her hair dry and put sparkly hairspray in, and gave her a special birthday crown! She was so giggly and excited about that! They asked Madi if she wanted one too, and she said no... but I asked her again a while later and she caved :)

Nail time!

SO SO cute!!!!

They gave the girls bubbles after their nails were all done - it was all so fun! I would definitely take Quinny back there!

My original plan was to have a family tea party for lunch, because Quinny is CRAZY for tea parties. I wasn't thinking anything too crazy, just mini sandwiches to eat and drinking out of tea cups... my amazing mother in law took that idea and exploded it! While we were gone, her and Aimee made the most spectacular surprise! While we were waiting for Makenna to arrive, the girls showed off their nails. 

Then Papa arrived at the back gate, all dressed up, ready to escort the girls to their special surprise!

It was so awesome watching this. They were so excited, and Tim looked so great! 

They had set up a little tea party on the kid table, all decorated beautifully, ready for the girls to celebrate the birthday girl!!! I was floored when I saw it. I actually got teary... it was just so special, and so thoughtful. I love that my kid has family that love her THIS much. 

Papa poured them their drinks, and the tea party was underway! 

Look at that table! 

Love love love love!!!!

I'm not sure if you can tell, but they even made some of the sandwiches rolled up like sushi, because Q loves sushi so much. She thought the sushi sandwiches were the best! She talked about those things all day long!

Beautiful 3 year old! It brings me such joy to celebrate your life! Also, look at that bowl of fruit snacks in the middle! And little bowls of blueberries and grapes... Nannie covered all the bases and knew all your favorite things! Totally amazing.

Papa went out and got this mini cake - so cute! It was perfect for the tea party

Picture stolen from Lois' instagram :) 

After all that excitement, we said good-bye to the family and headed back up to camp to see Jon. On the way, I stopped to get our mail (it had been weeks since I last checked! We barely spent any time at home once camp started!) and there was a few more presents for her. Lucky girl!

A polaroid camera! Whoa! This was the first picture we took with it! Very cute

We ended the day by going into Lake Cowichan for a little bit and getting ice cream and just hanging out together for a while. August 15th is also mine and Jon's anniversary - 7 years this year! I have recently dubbed August 15th our "AnniBirthVersary" because I think I am so clever... haha. I am so blessed to be married to this man. He is my opposite in pretty much everyway, but I am certain that is what makes us work. We balance each other out. I am grateful for his steadiness when I am a roller coaster, and for the way he selflessly serves the people around him, especially his family. Year 7 was a hard one for us - the hardest one yet. But we have learned that we can tackle hard stuff together, and that love is a choice, not always a feeling, and we choose each other daily. He is also the BEST Daddy, as shown by how deeply his daughter adores him! Overall, August 15th is my favorite day, celebrating my favorite people.