Happy Birthday Maddie!

So, today is actually Maddie's birthday . . she's officially three years old. She, however, wasn't really aware of that today because due to scheduling conflicts with the family (Gregg flew to Wisconsin this morning for H.S. reunion #20!!!!, and grandma and grandpa had business to attend to down south), we decided to celebrate on Wednesday the 4th.

I kind of eased her into the fact that this birthday bash would really be HER birthday because she's very quick to take over everybody else's birthday celebrations . . because lets face it, she's 3 . . the world does indeed revolve around her whether we acknowledge it or not. But today was really her very own! Her first clue of the oncoming joy was on our trip to the grocery store when I let her pick out some party favors and balloons . . Disney princess', of course. At that moment you could just feel the excitement building in her little body and she was literally giddy the rest of the day . . dancing around and singing and giggling for no specific reason other than pure glee. . hilarious to watch. We went home and I let her color the balloons after I blew them up and we tied them on a string and hung it from the ceiling with some pictures she had drawn on paper with the glitter pens as well . . nothing like putting all that extra energy to work for me in the process of transforming the kitchen into a party hall.

That took us until lunchtime where we ate 'happy birthday mashed potatoes' . . one of the girls favorites where we prop a candle up in the potatoes and sing 'happy birthday' and then they get to blow out the candle. That sounds like a great 'birthday' lunch plan . . but sadly, we do it at least once a week because the girls have to eat 3 bites in between each 'fire and song' routine . . so it seemed only right that we instigate that routine into her actual birthday. I somehow managed to get her to lay down for a nap in between incessant conversations about 'her party' . . thus allowing me some time to make a spaghetti dinner for the party. MJ's birthday meal of choice this year was noodles and breadsticks with fruity blender drinks and cocktail umbrellas (courtesy of grandma). Then I finished the transformation of the princess party hall with pink streamers from wall to wall and many a pink, purple, and white helium balloons and the ultimate birthday mega sized princess balloon tied to her chair. Unfortunately I couldn't keep her out of the party hall for all the party attenders to see her reaction . . but I guess that's one of the special moments saved and truly appreciated by a mother. It was SO cute to see the look of awe as she came up the stairs and looked around with big eyes and a huge smile like she'd just walked into her own little paradise . . she just giggled and said, "Oh wow!" about 3 times and eventually managed to follow it up with "I am SO happy mom, mom!" . . and just like that, all the tantrums and whining quickly fade and are forgiven because you can't help but fall in love with that kind of innocent happiness and appreciation.

After that, it was just torturous waiting for all her 'party friends' to come. I started to have a guilty complex because the way she was talking I should have arranged for the whole neighborhood to show up . . she's a party girl . . I wonder who she got that from? She danced around the room letting out silly giggles and telling me, "mom-mom, I'm laughing on my birthday!" and other nonsensical giddy comments. We called Amber and dad multiple times trying to pass time and assure Maddie that they were on their way to 'her party' . . and finally everybody made it . . with the icing on MJ's party cake being a special appearance by her 'other' grandma and grandpa . . as she refers to them . . . that would be great grandma and grandpa Harris.

She has a special passion for them that is so adorable . . and who would have thought it possible, she's got grandma 'dessee' wrapped around her finger. I think MJ had special directions in her pre-life instructional course to 'sweeten' that grandma up and make her smile more . . it's the only way I can explain why a 2 year old . . now 3, would walk up unsolicited . . on multiple occasions with random compliments such as, "Oh, I like your hair grandma!" . . . or " Wow, that's a wonderful blue shirt!" If she wasn't on the opposite side of the room from any other adult you would swear she was being prompted . . it's adorable, the instant love she feels for them. . and they are not exempt from her charm, there's a mutual adoration . . I love it.

Anyway . . with the great grandparents seated on either side of her dinner chair . . Maddie directed dinner . . and then on to the grand finale . . the princess cake. This was a moment I was able to save for all the party go-ers to enjoy as the cake was unveiled . . and although Maddie had picked the cake out of a book at the bakery a few days before and anxiously awaited the 'baker's delivery' as she kept referring to it . . the real thing was truly breathtaking for her. . and she squeaked out another "oh wow" before her hands started flying and trying to mark her territory. We managed to hold her back with promises of candles and birthday serenading . . but that pushed the limits of her 3 year old patience and she finally was allowed to dig into . . Ariel's lilypad . . apparently her first choice in the princess entourage.

Birthday presents followed . . and with a little. . .or a lot of sugar on board to spark the fire . . MJ and Keira both ran around like wild women ripping open gifts and playing with new toys. Grandparents Stephany gave her a princess tunnel which was a big hit and Maddie enjoyed trapping Keira in the tunnel til they both were giggling hysterically. Finally it was time for the party to end, much to Maddie's dismay . . she did eventually go to sleep that night . . about 2 hours after we left her in her bed. . and woke up the next morning ready for 'more party' and was VERY upset to come upstairs and find all her 'party friends' had left . . I knew better than to take down the party decorations . . . but it's been 2 long days of sulking and sadness that the party is indeed, over. Such a tough life to understand when you're 3 . . anyway, that's the long version of MJ's perfect party day . . if only they were that easy to please their whole life. I sure enjoyed watching her enjoy her day!