Liesl's 3rd birthday!

We celebrated Liesl's third birthday on Sunday, with presents, the Children's museum, pizza, cake, and more presents. And then we celebrated some more on Monday, hosting a party with her friends - cupcakes, pumpkin decorating, and more presents.  It was a lot of fun.

It's such a cliche, but I really can't believe my baby girl is three. She is so tall and runs so fast, and she's a fearless little climber. She's imaginative and creative, telling me the most wonderful stories. And best of all, she's just really sweet and grateful and happy. She says thank you, and I love you, "what a lucky girl", and "thank you for the lovely dinner, mommy", and gives hugs and kisses, and is a wonderful little person who dances through her days. I am so lucky.

Liesl's birthday breakfast of choice: cereal. We offered pancakes and french toast and eggs, but no. Cereal.

You wouldn't know it, given his look of surprise, but this is the gift that Sebastian picked out for Liesl at a toy store - he was very adamant that he would buy his own present for her, with his own money, in person. It's a cradle for her babies. :)

A chocolate cake with raspberry buttercream from Baker & Spice. yum.

Our neighbor Zoe (a 4th-grader) brought a present for L and stayed to watch the afternoon session of opening presents.

That was Sunday. Phew. On to Monday!! Birthday party with playgroup friends!

The birthday girl wearing her new dress (from Nilsa) and waiting as patiently as she was able for her friends to arrive.

Black-bottom cupcakes. Delicious, and easy to make. Yum again.

Liesl wanted to take a self-portrait with mommy.

We read a story about birthday monsters, sang our usual playgroup songs and then happy birthday, and then the kids tucked into the cupcakes and fruit.

Pumpkin decorating! In a fit of madness and hope, I brought out glitter glue and sharpies, as well as stickers and googly eyes, and let the kids go crazy. It was awesome.

More presents... lucky girl.