One More Candle On Her Cake!

Well, yesterday was a very special day for our family. Amelia turned three years old! I can hardly believe it. It seems like yesterday that we were bringing her home from the hospital, wondering what we were supposed to do with our squishy bundle.

After church, it was time for photo's together with our sweet girl.

After lunch and during nap-time, my mum and I decorated a (store bought) cake...there, I admitted it to the world. I have always said that I would make and decorate all of Amelia's birthday cakes, since that's something my mum did for me. Well, this year, it didn't happen.

After lots of coaxing and words of wisdom from my mum, I ended up buying a raspberry diner cake from Safeway on Saturday night, to save me having to be up through the early hours of the morning. I had already picked up the monogram and plate in Idaho at Hobby Lobby, and it saved the day, after a little piping around the edges and personalization, the cake was ready and I was relieved that I had been able to sleep the night before.

After naptime, it was time to open birthday presents.

I may have bought her cake, but I did manage to make her a home-made birthday card. It had tinkerbell on the front, here's daddy reading it to his little girl.

Now for a cute story; Matthew's parents sent money in Amelia's card. When she saw it, she screamed excitedly "fifty bucks!", the funny thing is, it wasn't $50 she just always says that when she see's paper money, or is pretending to buy or sell something, as far as she is concerned, everything costs $50. It was hilarious.

One of her presents was Woody from Toy Story, the day before her birthday, she was watching Toy Story and Matthew kept asking "Amelia who do you like best on Toy Story?" and each time the response came back "Jessie", then it would be "Buzz", needless to say, we were worried - but all was well, she was very happy with her new friend.

After presents and cards, we went out for a drive, and ended up in West Salem, we walked across the bridge that is especially for walking and cycling, it was a beautiful afternoon and of course, I had my camera handy.

Above, Amelia watches the "Willamette Queen" as it slowly trundles down the river.

1...2...3...JUMP!

We walked under the bridge and found lots of crunchy, autumn leaves. Nana loves walking in leaves and Amelia happily walked behind, copying Nana by kicking the leaves as she went.

We ended up by the river's edge, where daddy and grandpa started skipping stones. Of course, we all had to have a go...

"Yay momma, I did it!"

Hundreds of stones later, it was time to go back home for dinner and cake.

When we got home, the cake that I had so carefully decorated, was now missing a whole quarter side of buttercream, exposing the cake inside...I couldn't believe it, luckily, mum came to the rescue and fixed it best she could.

Next, the part Amelia had looked forward to all day, time to be sung to and time to blow out the candles...

It was so nice having mum and David with us, to join in the happy chorus. Amelia did a great job blowing out the candles, it took her about three tries, not bad at all!

The cake was cut, and I'm happy to say, it was delicious - all was well!

Amelia said bedtime prayers last night and it was so cute to hear her talk about the things we had done together as she talked to Heavenly Father. That's when I realized, it's not about stressing over the store bought cake, or the toys I buy, it's about being a family, and always enjoying each other!

Happy birthday my sweet daughter, Amelia, you are amazing and we love you!