Happy 3rd Birthday Grace!

What a big day Grace had for her 3rd birthday. She awoke to the song of "Happy Birthday" and cinnamon rolls. She had been asking me every morning last week if that day was her birthday, so she could hardly contain herself when she came downstairs to a special sign and lots of balloons. She got a candle in her cinnamon roll and wore her tiara all morning. We then went to Crabtree Mall for her party. We had pizza, salad, breadsticks, cake and lots of sugary drinks. We played "Life Is a Highway" by Rascal Flatts over and over again, and made sure the birthday girl received extra attention- which of course was a challenge b/c the bday girl had already been borderline smothered in attention the entire weekend by all of the family who had made the trip to celebrate with her. We then took the party to Build-A-Bear in the mall where the kids each chose an animal to create. They had a blast. Finally, after the parents could take no more, it was time to go home and open gifts. Grace received some wonderfully thoughtful gifts and most everything was mother approved. Sid and I got her a bicycle with training wheels. We thought it was going to take her a couple of days to get the hang of it, but no- it took about 10 minutes. She is now a professional and Sid is training her for the Tour de France. We are blessed to have such a precious daughter...and as the mama I can say it is so bittersweet to watch her grow.The night before my mom and I spent 5 hours creating a Lightning McQueen birthday cake for the princess. Pretty darn good if I say so myself. I couldn't have done it without my Mom. She did the hard stuff.Princess Grace blows out her first candle for the day. Grandma, Nana, Aunt L, and Uncle Will store up on energy for the day. Later, they were glad they did.
The party animals- literally. Spencer, Grace, Hayden, Miss Betsy, CJ, and Isaac.

Daddy with the babies. Only one of them is ours. Just an FYI.
And like her father, Gracie can put down some icing.
Grace blows out her candles...and then wants to eat them. Seriously.
My cutie pie.
My other cutie pie.

The party-goers cooperatively stand to have their picture taken.
Again, cooperating.
Isaac and Grandma. Isaac spent a good part of day scoping out other babies. He did not want to be held.
CJ attacking the photographer.

Cruisin' on her new wheels. Fortunately the bike doesn't have a banana seat, so she won't be pickin' up her 9 yr-old crush up the street.