Birthday or Bust?

Some birthday fun - vaccuuming.

The girls dancing at Baskin Robbins.

The Girl and all of her favorite little buddies.

Birthday cake time!

Ice cream, yum!

Now that the weekend birthday festivities are over I actually have time to write about them. Friday was the Girl's birthday and we had big plans. First on the agenda, heading to the portrait studio for 3-year pictures. When the Girl was first born I was adamant about getting pictures done fairly often - 8 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months - you get the picture. However, we hadn't taken her in since last year on her birthday and for the past 6 months every single time that we would walk by a portrait studio, whether in the mall or at Target or Wal-Mart she would beg me to get her picture taken and I kept telling her that we would go when she turned three. So all of last week she was so excited about the prospect of getting her picture taken and had even picked out an outfit that she wanted to wear. We got to the portrait studio, changed into her outfit and waited (despite having a scheduled appointment time we've always had to wait at least a half hour past our designated time...so annoying!). Finally it was her turn and as soon as we walked into the room her entire demeanor changed, gone was the smile from her face and no more happy chatter emanated from her mouth. Instead there was an expressionless, tight-lipped face and silence. Sigh. Nothing could be done, despite goofy faces, tickles and exciting props none of us (myself, J, and the photographer) could coax a smile from the Girl. After about 15 minutes and a mere 8 snapshots taken I told the photographer that I didn't want to take up anymore of her time, especially with so many others waiting.

Next stop, the Reptile Zoo. This was something that the Girl came up with all on her own. A few days before her birthday J asked her what she wanted to do and she said, "Go to the Reptile Zoo." No sooner had we stepped through the door than she wrinkled up her nose and exclaimed, "Ewww, it stinks in here!" Then she saw a snake in a nearby cage and immediately stated "Let's get out of here." So we spent about five minutes out front peering in through the windows at the turtles and lizards on display and then got back in the car and drove home.

Upon arriving home I retrieved the vaccuum cleaner out of the closet and started vaccuuming the carpet. To my surprise the Girl came racing over and wanted to help. She spent the next 20 minutes going back and forth, back and forth with the vaccuum in our front room until I had to put an end to her fun because it was starting to smell as if a vaccuum belt was melting.

So the planned activities for the day were a bust but my Birthday Girl sure did enjoy vaccuuming and the evening was progressively better as my parents and sister showed up as well as some friends and we ordered pizza and then went out for some birthday ice cream.

Saturday we woke up to pouring rain...not good for a beach-themed birthday party at a nearby park. I said a quick prayer requesting dryer weather and boy did the Lord provide! Three hours later and within minutes of arriving at the park the rain stopped and it stayed dry for the entire duration of the party, there were even bouts of blue sky and sunshine. The Girl had a wonderful time playing with her friends, all of which ended up splashing in the water despite less than balmy temperatures and after several hours of playing and enjoying the company of many good friends we packed up and headed out. Within five minutes of being in the car it started to rain. How is that for an answer to prayer?!