Bella's Birthday Weekend

We celebrated Bella's third birthday this weekend. It's hard to believe she's already 3. If there's anything I've learned since becoming a mother, it's that they grow up too fast. I held it together pretty good over the weekend, I only teared up a few times! :)

We started the birthday celebrations with a small party at Bella's school on Friday afternoon. It was a big surprise for her when Mommy and Daddy showed up at school with cupcakes! Bella had requested chocolate cupcakes with pink icing (what can I say, she's a girly girl and loves anything pink!). Apparently, it's a state regulation that you can't bring homemade cupcakes, so I had to buy them. The grocery store was SERIOUS when they put the pink food coloring in. I think most of the kids in Bella's class had pink stains on their faces. Oh well. Hopefully, there wasn't too many upset parents when they picked their kids up that day!

Bella was so happy with the kids and teachers in her class sang "Happy Birthday" to her. She had this big smile on her face the whole song. This was about the time Mommy teared up for the first time.

A few of Bella's friends enjoying their cupcakes.

Saturday was Bella's birthday party for friends and family. We had it at Power of Play near our house. I've actually never been to this place prior to booking it for her party. I think we'll have to go more often- it's AWESOME. Tons of things for little ones to play with. There is a pretend restaurant, grocery store, Dr.'s office, veterinarian, jail, post office, race track, dress up clothes, and TONS more. Bella and all her friends had a blast.

Here's Bella running the cash register in the pretend restaurant. The play money in the cash register was promptly taken by Bella to the play post office and mailed somewhere. I'm not sure where. If you get money in the mail, you'll know who sent it :)

Bella found this dress in the dress up area. She said she was Cinderella. Here is Cinderella at the Dr.'s office. I'm not sure what happened, but apparently there was an unfortunate accident that required Cinderell to use a wheelchair. Luckily, she was back on her feet soon.

Here is Bella with her friend Brady. Brady is the son of one of my friends, Emily. As you can tell, he's a cutie, and Bella definitely agrees. Whenever she's around Brady, she talks about him for days. She was happy he was at her birthday party. He was a trooper- he followed her orders each time she told him to sing "Happy Birthday" to her.

Some of the party guests enjoying their cake.

Cinderella riding her horse on the farm.

After the party, we went back to our house with my parents, Scott's parents, my brother, sister-in-law and neice to open Bella's birthday presents. She has really been into the Disney princesses lately. Her personal favorite is Cinderella. She was beyond thrilled when she opened her gift from Nana and Papa and saw it was a real Cinderella dress, shoes and crown!

Bella's gift from Scott and I was a trampoline. She squealed when she saw it and had to jump immediately. At least she let me take her Cinderella high heels off first.

Bella's actual birthday was Monday. It worked out nice, because it fell on MLK Jr. day, which meant the bank was closed and Scott could spend the day with us! We started the day with a birthday cupcake. Again, chocolate cupcake with pink icing!

Blowing out the candle. I still can't believe she's 3!

We took Bella and Austin to the aquarium at Ft. Fisher. We took a few pictures while waiting for Daddy to park the car. The weather was nice!

Bella asked "Is this alligator dead?" I sure hope so!

Bella enjoyed the aquarium at first, but quickly grew tired of meandering through the crowds to just look at some fish. On our way home, I asked what her favorite part of the aquarium was. Her reply: "none of it". Oh well.

On the way home from the dud trip to the aquarium, Scott and I redeemed ourselves by stopping to get Bella a new dance outfit. Luckily, she had dance that night, so was able to wear her new outfit immediately. I think dance class was the highlight of her birthday. The are starting to learn their dance for the recital. It is to the song "How Much is That Doggy in the Window". They let us parents come in a watch them dance. And I teared up yet again.

It certainly is bittersweet to watch my little girl grow up. Sometimes I find myself wishing she could stay little forever, and other times I am daydreaming about the girl and woman she will become. Happy Birthday Bella!