Claire's 3rd Birthday Party!

I have to say that Claire's party was a blast. I am beat...but it was well worth it. Claire had so much fun - I think she may sleep until 10 tomorrow (that is if we didn't have church). This year was so much fun because it was a mix of family and friends and Claire told us exactly who all she wanted to invite to her party. The first 4 pictures are out of order b/c they were on my grandparents camera...but I love them and had to include them.

I love this picture because I think we look so much alike!

Eating cake and ice cream!

Singing happy birthday!

The next few pictures are of the decorations in the back yard and through out the house.

Her amazing cake!

Party favors! All the girls got Tinkerbell cups with toys and candy in them. The boys got pirate cups with toys and candy in them!

I told her to smile and she said "ta da!"

We played - pin the star on Tinkerbell's wand

pass the fairy

Everyone singing to Claire

Make a wish!!!

Opening gifts! Princess ballerinas!

She has wanted this dog for so long! She was very excited to get a puppy!

Joshua the pirate!

Pop pop and Cole

This is how we all felt at the end of the party!

Happy Birthday Claire Bear

Dear Claire,
I can not believe you are 3 years old! It seems like yesterday we were welcoming you into the world. On the flip side of that, I can not remember our lives without you - it's like you have been with us forever. You are one of my favorite people and I love to tell you "you're my favorite" and love it even more when out of the blue you tell me "mommy, you're my favorite." You are very bright. You amaze me with the knowledge you gain each and everyday. Sometimes it is hard for me to remember that you are just now turning 3. One of my favorite times with you is at night when we tuck you into bed. You are always quick to remind us if we leave any of our steps out - kisses, hugs, nose rubs, and then I whisper in your ear "I love you to the moon and back." and you whisper right back "I love you to the stars and back." You then do the same thing with daddy and Cole, we then pray as a family, turn on your stars and kiss you goodnight. It's the best and I will be heart broken the day you decide you don't want that any more.
You are the BEST big sister. You love your brother with all your heart and take such good care of him. You do not like to see or hear him cry and will break all kinds of rules to ensure that you can make him stop crying. You make him laugh just by talking to him and you are his favorite person.
You are also learning so much about God and who He is and what He wants for your life. You love hearing Bible stories and love reading your Bible. I can not wait to see how this comes to fruition in your life.
Claire I love you more than words can say! I am SO thankful that God chose me to be your mommy. I love you with all my heart - forever!
To the moon and back,
Mommy

Playing outside

We could not have asked for more beautiful weather for Spring Break! We have spent a lot of time out back and the kids have really enjoyed the fresh air!

Over by the fountain there were birds getting a drink of water. Claire was trying to talk to them (like she sees in her princess movies) but they were not ready to talk to her.

Here she is yelling for them to come back

Cole doesn't like grass and refused to put his feet down!

We put a chair cushion under him after I snapped these pictures