And the Party was Pink

Friends,

Most of you already know that the girls turned 3 this last week (March 7th). We had a big ol' birthday at the park with family & friends (we include our nurses in both categories).

It was lovely. And pink (Havyn's request). The Abuelitos, Rafael & Marie, decorated the pavillion for us & helped coordinate & serve cake (they are the sweetest grandparents you could ever ask for!)

For the 3rd year in a row, Uncle Bill & Aunt Joyce (UB & AJ) just happened to be in Nashville over the girls birthday weekend, and have been able to come to their party! Havyn adores them both, and kept Uncle Bill busy doing everything from playing Barbie's to helping her jump on her pogo stick. These two are such gifts to me, and to my girls....

Here's the problem with being super-cute: everybody wants to snuggle with you!

This was the weekend where I got to meet my sweet little niece, Flora, for the first time. She's a little heartbreaker!

 Ava Gray and her La-La (quite possibly her best friend in the world):

Ana set up & ran the "fishing for toys" event (Kristina narrated for the fishers & the fishee's). Here they are in action....The kids LOVED their toys (thanks Ana for setting all that up!). And Jonathan was the one to figure out how to make the  PVC pipe "ocean" barracade. Pretty cool, right?

 Havyn and her very best friend in the whole world at present: Gus Wonder.

 We also used the ocean set for a 2 minute puppet show (basically just a way to lead the kids in singing "Happy Birthday.") We had to use the puppet somehow because Havyn absolutely loves it (the puppet is pink, and a ballarina: what's not to like!?), and also because she's really into putting on puppet shows right now.  Thanks, Britt (& sweet fam!) for the puppet.

 And here's the kiddo's watching the show:

 And theeen, there was cake! (Well, little pink cupcakes for the kids, and big chocolate cake for the bigger kids aka "adults").

 See all the pink? Havyn was delighted : )

 Ava Gray was pretty stoked too:

After the kids got all wound up on the sugar, we took them across the street to the park playground to let them run it all off. Ava Gray opted for a nap in the shade of the pink princess tent that we had out. I hope all of you who came had a good time. I know my girls & I sure did! I love any excuse to see you all and catch up with many of you who have been such an important part of our lives. (Chrissie & Annie, we missed you: next year for sure!!!).

And let me just say that I am so deeply grateful for these two little 3-year-old girls. Their sweet spirits and feisty natures make me giggle and laugh and fall in love with them more and more each day. Here's to you, girls. May you have many more big birthday bashes with the ones you love, and the ones who love you, in the years to come!