Halloween Birthday Party

One whole month ago, we had Lexi's 3rd birthday party.
I would have posted these pictures more quickly,
except that our computer has been getting "fixed" at Apple 
for what feels like forever.
In fact, I'm starting to think we may never see it again!
But, back to the party.
We decided to celebrate a little early this year...
to make the holiday season and the weeks leading up to
my due date a tiny bit less hectic.
So, we choose to host a Halloween party,
and boy was our birthday girl excited about the theme.

All your buddies where there, Lexi,
and you all looked adorable.

There were pictures and pumpkin decorating.

We played "pin the nose on the pumpkin"
and had a blast with the pinata and candy collecting.

There was time on the swingset, pizza and cupcakes.
And, of course, sugar highs for all the three year olds.

It was the perfect way to kick off the Halloween festivities.
And, it's a good thing we decided to have it on Friday afternoon -
rather than over the weekend.
Because we woke up to a freak snowstorm the very next morning!
P.S. Thank you SO much Nanny for all of your help.
Vic and I were so happy to be able to play with all of our guests
while you managed everything behind the scenes!

Let the good times roll

We're gearing up for Thanksgiving around here.
It's Vic's very favorite holiday.
The festivities kick off with a Thankful Feast at preschool tomorrow,
and then family starts rolling into town.
We can't wait for all of the "f''s" -
family, friends, food, fun and even some football!
But first, here are some pictures of Lexi's birthday fun
as captured by my iphone

With cousin Courtney turning 11 the next day (11/11/11!),

we decided to meet up at the mall and celebrate both birthdays.

There was lunch, shopping, a ride on the indoor carousel and ferris wheel,

and perhaps your favorite part of the day - a trip to the Disney Store.

We won't be seeing Nanny and Grandpa this year for Thanksgiving,

so they made the trip up to have some birthday cake with you.

Ice cream cake it was, and you couldn't have been more excited.

And then there was the celebration at school -

which meant we got to bake cupcakes for your whole class.

You asked to bake some for

the two year olds and four year olds also :)

Like mother, like daughter

Miss Sue makes sure that everyone in the 3's

gets their own birthday party.

And, she invited me to join in the fun.

And finally, on your actual birthday,

we visited the pottery store after school.

Your friend Betsy gave you a gift certificate,

and we had a wonderful time painting ornaments

and creating a plate for all of Santa's cookies.

Happy 3rd Birthday little lady!

THREE

Alexis,

The celebrating started early this year!
With a Halloween-themed birthday party,
followed by birthday lunches and dinners
and ice cream cake with your extended family.
You even had a little party at preschool this week
filled with funfetti cupcakes and candles and a party hat.
But today, November 16th, is the real deal.
After much anticipation, you are THREE!

It has been such a delight to witness your excitement for all things "3".
You truly understand the concept of birthdays and holidays this year,
and it has been so much fun for your dad and I to see this special moment
through the eyes of our three-year-old.
Your enthusiasm is quite contagious.

It is amazing to look at pictures and videos from this time last year.
To see all the changes in you.
At the age of 3, you are so talkative.
Sometimes, your mind is working so fast that your mouth can't keep up.
We just love when mid-sentence you pause, regroup and continue on with your conversation-
making sure you don't leave out a single detail.
Your memory continues to amaze us.
You hear a new word or phrase in French class and absorb it instantly.
You hear a new song on the car radio and start singing along.
You and your class are learning phonics and handwriting this year,
and you simply soak it all in.
You have an idea and a plan for just about everything.
And, we better watch out,
or you just might outsmart us.
You have such spunk.
You are so eager to explore, to play, to learn, to make new friends and to lead.
With this spunkiness comes quite a stubborn streak...
some days you surely give us a run for our money.

At 3, you are certainly our "little princess".
You love pink and purple.
You ask us to tell you a princess story each night at bedtime.
You say you have a secret to share and then whisper in my ear, "I love princesses."
You change into one of many tutus as soon as we get home from school.
Disney movies and stories captivate you.
You love twirling and singing and makeup.
You even keep a crown in my car...
just in case you need it while we are out and about.

You love to be our little helper.
You race to get your stool and help us bake in the kitchen,
load the laundry and check for mail any chance you get.
I think you are going to delight in the whole "big sister" concept.
You love to play games-Memory, Bingo, Candyland, Hide-n-seek are current favorites.
And you adore reading.
First, you beg us to read a book (or two, or three) to you,
and then you love to retell us the story.
You are usually very social and very interested in the people around you.
Young and old, boy and girl, stranger or friend,
you are eager to strike up a conversation wherever you go.

Alexis, you are growing right before our eyes.
And though you are no longer our baby anymore,
you will ALWAYS be our baby.
May your enthusiasm and confidence guide you through your days.
And may you always know just how much your are loved.

Happy, Happy 3rd Birthday Peanut Butter,
Mom and Dad

Game Day

With the parents that she has,
there is no choice but for Alexis to be a New York Giants fan.
And she is totally fine with that...
as long as you let her pair her Big Blue gear with a pink tutu.

Actually, it is quickly becoming a staple in her wardrobe.
Must be the preschool version of "the little black dress" or that favorite pair of Joe's jeans.

Trick or Treat

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Following a freak snowstorm over the weekend, 

the fall weather returned,

the last bits of snow melted away, 

and Snow White was ready to meet up with 

Minnie Mouse and "the color pink" 

(as well as their baby sisters and all the moms and dads)

 for some trick or treating!

Excited would be quite an understatement to describe her mood. 

Ecstatic is much more accurate!

Vic and I can't decide if Alexis had a better time racing from house to house

or hurrying to answer our own front door later in the night.

Either way, Halloween is certainly her new favorite holiday.

She asked if it was going to be Halloween again tonight -

hopefully "next year" doesn't sound too far off to an almost three-year-old.

Let the fun begin!

Deciding who should ring the first doorbell 

Finally got her to stand still 

"Look Daddy! Let's go there next. Come on, come on."

The girl was even thrilled when one house handed out toothbrushes/toothpaste :)

Leaving our next door neighbors' house.

They baked her special pumpkin cupcakes

just because they know how much she loves the frosting.

And last but not least, my favorite photo from the night.

Daddy and daughter look so much alike here to me :)