Keira's Birthday, Part I -- Birthday Party

We had planned to celebrate Keira's third birthday at Keira's favorite park, but the rainy weather made us change our plans.  At the last minute, we decided to head to our local Chick Fil-A instead, with Keira's favorite indoor play place.  As usual, one of both kids favorite parts of the party was seeing their family, like Auntie Andrea.  Keira got in a good snuggle, while Elijah spent a lot of time playing "Rock, Paper, Scissors."

This year, besides family we also invited Ari, who's two, and his parents, Eli and Heather.  Eli is a childhood friend of mine from California who lives about fifteen minutes away.  Amazingly, we got back in touch on facebook and our two families have been hanging out ever since.  While I was getting Keira ready for her birthday party, I told her that Ari was coming.  She said, "He's my best friend!"  That's usually a distinction that she saves for her brother whom she calls "my best friend, big brother."  :)

Besides enjoying her family and friends, Keira also enjoyed her presents. This was the first birthday that she seemed to understand the concept and gleefully tore through her stack. Some of her favorites at her party were her dress up clothes trunk, her dress up Minnie and her big magnifying glass.

Until the last week before her birthday, Keira had told me that she wanted a Dora party.  But, as her birthday got closer, she changed her mind and wanted to have a Minnie party again.  It ended up working out okay since Grammie had found some homemade Minnie overall shorts at her store.  Someone had taken a Minnie pillow or sleeping bag, cut it apart and used pieces to create some adorable overall shorts that Keira wore for her party.  Here she is showing off her Minnie ensemble saying "cheese."

Finally, once again, Aunt Seana generously offered to bake the birthday cake.  This year, Keira wanted pink cupcakes.  Keira, Elijah and many other guests loved the yummy treats.  Thanks Aunt Seana!