Emma's 3rd Birthday

I promised more pictures from Emma's 3 birthday parties (hopefully she won't expect 4 birthday parties when she's 4.) These pictures are from her class birthday party and the party we had here at our house right before we left for the beach. We had a small family party for her. I think this will be the last year we could get away with that. I'm sure next year we will have to get on the big party band wagon for Emma. Ellie has planned all of her parties 1 year in advance, so I'm sure Emma will do the same. She has already mentioned a few things she wants for "my party next year."

Emma at 3 is well, is fun, but not ALWAYS fun. I don't know who came up with terrible 2s, but from my child rearing experience so far, we have terrible 3s. I wouldn't say Emma is terrible, she is so sweet and does have good moments, but she certainly is not bothered with rules. If she doesn't want to do something there is no way to talk, convince, bribe, threaten her into doing it.  In fact, last night during dinner, I threatened a trip to the hospital to get a finger prick (more on this later) if she didn't eat her dinner. She continued to say no and then proceeded to go get her shoes on to "go to hospital" to have her finger pricked. She called my bluff. She has strong opinions about her clothing, hair and shoes, and these opinions change with the wind. Usually, at least once a day we have a lay on the floor and scream melt down because I have utterly offended her by doing something like making her wear a dress that doesn't have pockets.

She is incredibly smart but unbelieveably stubborn. Ellie was at least bribeable at this age. I've learned not to compare my children. They are 2 VERY different girls. Emma is growing so fast though and has blossomed so much over the last year. We've got a lot to look forward to with this little personality!

Her check up was last Monday. She was NOT happy about the finger prick to check her hemoglobin. (Hence the threatening for another finger prick.) She weighed 28lbs (25th percentile) and was 35.5in tall (10th percentile.)

Funny things Emma says at 3:
"Is it going to be hot or cold tonight?" - she asks this every night, no matter what, when picking out her PJ's.
"I'm hungy" - one that we now all say
"I can't"  and "I need help" - her 2 favorite things to say
"I love Mack"
What is your favorite color? - "red"
What is your favorite toy? - "Cinderella"
What do you like to do with Mommy and Daddy? - "Play in back yard"
What do you want to be when you grow up? "doctor"
What is your favorite t.v. show? "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse"
What do you like to do for fun? "Get my rainboots, get my raincoat, get my umbrella and go outside in the rain"
Who is your favorite sibling? "Connor" (her friend from preschool)

"3!"

Classroom set up

Everyone singing Happy Birthday to this 3 year old

Minnie Mouse cupcakes

Icing fan

Birthday girl with siblings and Grandma and Papa

Emma and Mia

A bike was her gift from Mommy and Daddy

Stylin on her Huffy

Ellie made a card for her and was very proud of the picture she colored for her sister

Opening gifts from Grandma and Papa

Opening gifts with Mia

She got all of her safety gear

And she's off

Big sissy giving some advice as she passes by

There may need to be some growing into the helmet.

Fort Morgan 2014

We have just returned from our annual trip to Fort Morgan, Alabama. We go there every year to reunite with our friends from Worth's residency in Birmingham. There were 12 adults and 14 kids this year. Ages 8 months-5 years old. It was soooo much fun! The weather was beautiful the entire week, and we were able to celebrate 3 special little girls' birthdays while we were down there.  (There will be another post about Emma's birthday later)

We did, however, get attacked by sickness while there. Ellie came down with a bad "cold" the 3rd day we were there. She ran a low grade fever, was covered up on the beach in her towel and swimsuit cover and wouldn't eat anything. By Wednesday, Mack came down with it. He was really fussy, running a fever and VERY snotty. Friday night (our last night there) he cried all night. At 3:00 am Worth just suggested that we start packing the car since we were both wide awake and had been for hours. Mack wasn't going to go to sleep anyway. So, we scooted out of town by 4:50am. Once getting home Saturday, I started feeling achy, stuffed up and feverish. I attributed it to not having slept, but it progressed until I couldn't hardly move Sunday - Mother's day. At the same time, Emma started coming down with it and then Worth. By chance, Emma had her 3 year appointment Monday. They decided to run a flu test because of her symptoms and she was running a low grade fever. It was positive for flu. Apparently, we had passed it around our family while at the beach.  Everyone is now slowly recovering, but I do believe we passed our germs to some of the other kids on the trip. Sorry guys:(

It was worth every minute of the sickness, however, to be able to see our friends. We had an awesome time, with great food, great drinks and great entertainment (from our kids and our husbands.) Too bad we can only get together with these folks once a year!

Getting the tents up

Folks in the neighboring house started cheering for our guys once they got this tent up

The Simril twins: Jack and Ella Kate

Snack time at 9am? Why not? We are at the beach, right?

Before the plague

Mack makes his appearance on the beach

I don't know how she stood this water, it was pretty cold! The kids loved it though

Sand Angels

Mack discovers sand - this is just before he ate a handful of it.

Worth and I with the birthday girl on her birthday

The cake that never ended. 25 people ate off of this for an entire week.

Birthday girls: Emma, Caroline, Maggie

Avery jumped in as well. Her birthday was just a few days before we went to the beach

When the sickness hit. She was starting diva mode. After having it myself, I completely understood how she felt!

This picture was funny to me. You can't see the dad that is holding the rope attached to the boat. It just looks like Dr. Hughes is going after kids loose in a raft. But they were being well watched, I promise!

Proof that lots of Dads were around for the raft experience

The Simrils

The Wigtons (AKA "The Wiggles)

The Sheltons with baby #2 on the way. Next year we will have 15 kiddos

The group shot. I think Brooks Shelton is the only one who wasn't clear on where the camera was

All of our babies. The number of children have grown significantly since we all became friends in Birmingham

Beach Birthday Girl

The 3 Bowers kids. Mack was attempting to eat the wood

Silly Sisters

Will Steurmann the only 5 year old boy. We will have to watch him in about 10 years! Or maybe, watch out for him?!

Lily was the sweet popsicle provider. She made everyone's afternoon by passing out popsicles daily

The famous hole. They finally made it to water. At least no dads took a nose dive into it this year

Bowers Fam in the water hole

Emma with the birthday gift we took to the beach for her. A prince Eric and Ariel doll.

Sweet baby Reese.

This boardwalk, which was attached to a neighboring house was a hit with the kids. They played school, mama and babysitter, and I'm not sure what other pretend games up there for HOURS everyday. Who needs a beach toy?

Jessica, Nicole, and Megan chatting and sunning.

3 at the beach!

Emma is 3 years old today. I still have the 14 hour labor that brought her into this world  fresh in my mind, but I would do it all over again for this most precious human being! She is such a joy. We are in Fort Morgan, AL at the beach this week so there will be more posts about this day to come! Happy Birthday my sweet angel!