These girls

Love each other!

Celebrating Peyla's birthday

Growing up, my mom made a big deal out of our birthdays...not necessarily with material items but just making sure we felt special on our big day. OK...maybe our big week! ;) We jokingly referred to it as our "birthday week". I can tell from sorting these pictures from my camera, that I am definitely keeping with my mother's tradition. It may seem frivolous but I don't care, every day with these girls is a gift! I want them to always know how lucky they are for the blessings in our lives, while still celebrating the special days of the year. So on her actual birthday (a Thursday), we spent the morning with our best friends (Team Frigard) and our library buddies at the splash pad. We let the birthday girl select her dinner of choice and that led us to Chuck-E-Cheese. Then we celebrated with our closest family and friends by hosting a little water party on Saturday!

 

 If you live in AZ and have young children, you know every splash pad within 25 miles!

 Brendon couldn't help himself..."she needs to have candles on her actual birthday"!

 I think this cupcake was really for him.

 Getting ready to open her prizes.

 She received her very first nightgown, with Cinderella on it of course!

She doesn't like Daddy modeling it.

 Thomas the Train!

 Slip-n-Slide...thank you Costco!

 Adeline takes a spin!

 Peyla's Pixie-in-Crime...Rosie!

 Sweet little sister

 Someone had the bright idea (!) of putting the roller coaster IN the slip-n-slide.  ;)

 Cousin Kellen loved the roller coaster!

 Ali sneaks a snuggle.

 Ali's turn!

 The supervisors of the action.

Oh boy! Cake!

Happy 3rd Birthday my darling!

Peyla! You are three today. I can't believe how quickly time passes by. I can close my eyes and drift right back to the day you were born. The clothes I wore to the hospital. Grasping the door handle on the drive there, crying through every bump your daddy hit. After 17 hours of labor, you came into our lives- this tiny, sweet, gentle little soul. One of the most pivotal moments of my life was when you were handed to me, crying, and as I squeaked "you're so little"- you stopped crying immediately and your murky little eyes searched for me. You knew me. And I felt like we had loved each other forever. It still feels that way, only intensifying every day. You are such an incredible little human...so perfectly YOU. You remind me of the sea, deep and thoughtful. You care so much, you always have. It bothers you when you see others cry. You watch others' emotions with this compassionate, thoughtful look on your face. You're trying to "read" people. I see your spirit blossom more every day too...you have your preferences, hopes and wants. You can be sassy sometimes, which I secretly love. Because baby, it is a tough world out there and sometimes we have to use our convictions to make positive changes! You feel so deeply, I can tell already. You will need that sass to protect your heart when people or events break you down. And never, EVER give up on yourself! I love watching you reach just a little farther every day, try something new or branch out of your comfort zone. You are a force my darling girl...let your love shine more each day! Happy happy birthday to you, Peyla Pearl. We love you more than anything!

 3 years old!

 

 2nd birthday...first one as a big sister.

 

 1st birthday

 

 I can't resist that face.

 

First day in this world!

Lazy days

When the summer hits in AZ, it feels like the energy is slowly leaking from your body. I have to remind myself that every winter, when "zonies" are outside and frolicking in the gorgeous weather, the rest of the country is inside fighting the cold. So I deem these summer months- our "hibernating" days. We tend to go out early in the morning, run errands or hit our repertoire of outlets (mall, splashpad, Tot Town, library) and then head home before the sun bakes us. Afternoons are usually spent watching a movie, playing "make believe" or playing around with our water table outside. As much as I complain about these summer days, I remember spending my summers in much of the same ways- play dates with friends, library books and being lazy. I guess it's just a rite of passage as a zonie girl!

 

Summer bowling!

What's a girl to do to beat the afternoon heat in AZ? Indoor bowling of course!

 

 First we have to pry the pins away from Ali...

 Sneaky girl!

 She sure likes to get into trouble.

 It could be a spare!

 Partners in crime.

 

A rare "mommy and me" shot

Silly jammie girls

One of my favorite parts of the day is the early morning moments with the girls. They wake up so happy to start a new day and so cuddly in their jammies! I took a few pictures of some silly pajamas, ergo mommy's winter socks and Ali's leisure suit. ;) I don't know when or how Peyla found my socks and managed to put them on, I swear I just turned my head for a second. Ali typically wears footie pajamas but the laundry fairy hadn't arrived that week so we dug out some hand-me-downs from Peyla. It looks like she's wearing a '70's leisure suit!

 

I would do anything for you.

It's a well-known fact in my family that I hate roller coasters. Like, loathe them. I have the stomach of a wimp and can't even get through a one-hour flight to California without chewing on Dramamine. So the idea of willingly getting in a small metal cart and zipping around some rickety slats is like torture to me. But I would do anything for you...anything. So when we ventured out for our 3rd annual trip to the Schnepf Farm Peach Festival, I faced my fears to ride their roller coaster with you. Yes, it was built for small children. And yes, there were pint-sized humans on it with me. But I was still terrified! I just didn't want that first experience with you to be missed because of my pathetic tolerance for movement. You just wanted to experience your first "wower coaster" with your beloved Frigard friends, and I was determined to be the parent that held on to you and screamed with excitement (fear? nausea?). I'm already the tougher parent. The one that follows our routines, makes you eat your fruits and vegetables. The one that tries not to give you everything you want in this world, just so you can learn gratitude and a little humility. But damn it! I want to be the fun parent too! I might have hated that puny little roller coaster, but I cherished being there with you for another "first" moment in your life. I would do anything for you Peyla!

 

 

 

P.S. Judging from this picture (thanks Kendra!), you may have inherited my stomach. Sorry kid.