Penny's 3rd Birthday

I can't believe this cute girl is already 3.   She has so much personality stuffed into that tiny body.  We all love her so much!  We are hoping this year brings fewer mood swings and tantrums!!

She had a "amazing" birthday and an Ariel birthday party.  It was so fun to plan the party because she was really excited about everything.  The girls loved helping to make the cake, decorate with "seaweed" and make favors.  Harrison was so happy to lick his first spatula.  So cute.

Penny wanted to open her presents as soon as everyone was awake.  She could hardly stand waiting any longer!

 She got a play highchair, baby feeding set, rainbow leggings & shirt, puzzle and electric toothbrush from us, and fun fairy door curtains, Madeline book & doll and dress up from Grammy, and birthday money from Grandma.  She was spoiled!

 Opening her feeding kit.

 Elmo was the first stuffed animal to be fed in the high chair.

 Daddy took the girls to pick up birthday donuts for breakfast.

 For her Little Mermaid party, we invited her best little friend, Stella and friends Daniel and Micah over.  We had a yummy lunch- seashell noodles with chicken, "seaweed" (broccoli), fruit, and goldfish crackers.

 

The kids did "seafoam painting", threw bean bags at Ursula and her eels, and then went fishing.  They all LOVED the fishing pond and somehow didn't see Tyler slip behind the sheet.  They were so surprised when prizes came up on the pole!  It was so fun.

The cute birthday girl with her Ariel cake.  It was my first time doing a Barbie cake and it was fun.  Turned out to be pretty easy!  She was brave this year and blew out her candles by herself (she was too scared last year).

Penny loves singing, dancing and playing pretend/dress-up.  She has spent probably part of everyday in her Elsa dress.

 I couldn't stop laughing at this next picture, which is the same day as her sweet Elsa dress, but at 6 pm.  A good representation of Penny's "hot and cold" personality.

Penny loves to read books to herself and make up nonsense stories.  She loves nursery, especially her beloved teachers, Kelsey and Joseph Cardon.  She is still sleeping in her crib, although she learned how to climb in and out of it last month.  She is still napping in our closet in the pack and play.  She still is (and will likely always be) a terrible sleeper.  Going to bed at 7:30/8 and waking up at 5:15 or so, with one or two wakeups at night, resulting in a very tired mom.  She hates to have us help her brush her teeth but loves to suck toothpaste off by herself.  She loves to eat sugar toast, yogurt, berries, broccoli, noodles, grilled cheese/quesadillas, and turkey rolls, as well as any candy, chocolate, treats.  She has a great vocabulary but could care less about learning to recognize letters and numbers.  She is great at playing with Bridgette and other kids. 

 She is quick to give hugs and kisses and is so affectionate.  She has a love/hate relationship with Harrison, who is lots of fun until he takes what she wants. 

 We love having this wild child to make our family more exciting!