3 yr. and 6 month check-ups

Eleanor had her 6 month check-up today and Caroline had her three year check-up. Both the girls are doing great! Eleanor is in the 50% for height, the 75% for weight (18.8lbs!) and above the 97th% for her head circumference (We weren't surprised-she's just going to be really smart!).  Caroline is still very tall for her age, too, and she weighs 30 1/2 lbs now. 

Cowgirl Caroline's 3rd Birthday Party

Today was Caroline's birthday party. We had a cowgirl/western theme this year. (I know, I can't help it! I have to have a theme for her birthdays and run with it-it's the teacher in me!). We had her party at a small local farm that had pony rides and a petting zoo along with other activities. Caroline looked adorable (if I do say so myself) in her red cowgirl hat, white eyelet blouse, denim skirt and cowboy boots. Even Eleanor got in on the action with her baby-sized pink cowgirl hat and denim jumper. Each child invited had a cowboy/cowgirl hat, a personalized bandana, and sheriff's badge waiting for them. The kids had hot dogs and chips while the adults enjoyed BBQ pork sandwiches. I made her birthday cake into the shape of a cowboy boot and cupcakes with cowboy boot and hat cookies decorated on top. We hung up "WANTED" posters of Caroline with pictures from all her different stages. The farm provided the children with small hobby horses on their way out. Everyone seemed to have a great time, especially Caroline!

Caroline's 3rd Birthday

Eating birthday donuts for breakfast
Playing in the park with her birthday ribbon on
Blowing out the candles on her birthday cupcakes
Too busy eating her cupcake to take a picture with Daddy!

Today is Caroline's 3rd Birthday! She had been asking all week, "Is it Friday yet? Is it my birthday?" I can't believe that my Caroline is 3. She has grown so much this year and always keeps us guessing! We love the independent and energetic little girl that she is and look forward to see how she grows during her third year.

Caroline started off her birthday requesting donuts for breakfast with her friends. Then we went to the park and she played on her scooter. When Daddy got home we all ate Caroline's requested birthday meal, spaghetti and meatballs, then had chocolate cupcakes with pink frosting and sprinkles for dessert. She loved opening her presents. Although, she had no interest in the present Mom and Dad had for her! Brett and I planned on getting her a bike with training wheels, but we wanted her to be able to pick it out for herself. When we brought her to the bike aisle, she pointed to the play-doh and asked if she could have that instead! Even after we had her sit on several different bikes, she still did not show any enthusiasm about it. So, we ended up not getting a bike and told her she could pick out something else instead. She was very happy walking out of the store with her new My Little Pony Birthday Bash House with matching My Little Pony figures. Maybe this summer, she'll reconsider the bike.

Strawberry Picking with Mommy

I took Caroline strawberry picking, so she could spend some time just with Mommy, without her little sister. Caroline was so excited to go out alone with me. She had a great time and was very careful to pick strawberries that were "just right". I'll have to make a point to have some more Mommy and Caroline time in the future.

Sitting Up

Eleanor has been perfecting sitting up. While her Grandma was here, she bought her a Bumbo to sit in, which gave her some more practice. Now she can sit up for up to a minute by herself before falling over to the side or on to her tummy. Of course now that I go to put pictures up of her sitting by herself, I can't find any. I'll work on that...

Eating from a Spoon

Eleanor had her first experience eating from a spoon today and she did a great job! She seemed to catch on right away and ate quite a bit! 

Grandma and Grandpa

Caroline and Eleanor's Grandma and Grandpa came to visit for Eleanor's baptism. It was great for them to see how big Eleanor has gotten since Christmas and to spend some time with Caroline, too.