A Balloon Birthday Party

I felt like I was a little belated in Lauren's birthday party plans this year.

We had a trip to California planned a couple days after her birthday, 

and we weren't sure what we would do.

But we decided to venture out of the birthday party in the home mode,

book a venue,

invite her class and friends from activities

and celebrate our Lauren.

She chose a balloon theme,

we chose The Little Gym,

and it all came together from there.

We had a lot of fun with the balloon theme

and the fact that I dropped off everything at Little Gym and they decorated for me...

amazing.

It also was perfect place for kids of all ages to play together. 

They explored the gym,

played games,

laughed, ran, and giggled.

Caroline had a very good time:)

After playing in the gym, we headed back for some cake!

Lauren's hair nearly caught on fire,

but Dad was quick to prevent emergency calls or hair cuts. 

Lauren was thrilled to celebrate with all of her friends 

and have Grandpa & Grandma McQuinn celebrate with us as well!

Mom and Dad were thankful for all their help as we prepared and got into party mode!

It was a wonderful little party,

fun theme,

great venue, 

lots of smiling faces,

and one very happy birthday girl.

four

It's truly hard to believe we have a four year old in our house.
It's so cliche, but it really does go so fast.
We can barely remember our life before this strong, confident little girl came into it.
Time could stand to slow down a little bit...
because right now she still wants to hold my hand, gives me kisses, lets me lay with her at bedtime,
and thinks her parents are the best.
Her words, not mine.
But I'm not naive enough to know that will last forever...
and neither will the rest of these wonderful characteristics of our Lauren at four.

She is brave.
She is bold.
She is confident.
She is not afraid to share her opinion.
She loves all things dress up - just not the itchy dresses.
She really likes the shoes.
She is a picky eater.
She has a voice immodulation disorder. This is not a real disorder, but a something that many of my family members suffer from where we can not speak at a low or soft tone.
She is silly.
She is smart.
She is a great big sister.
She is a leader.
She takes a moment to warm up to people.
She has a great vocabulary, my favorite is when she has a 'diagnosis' or something is 'amazing' or 'dangerous'
She loves all things Frozen, Disney Princess, and Doc McStuffins.
She loves books.
She can write her name.
She loves wearing dresses and fancy shoes and having her hair down with a bow.
She is a negotiator and loves to make a plan.
She likes things done her way and she is not afraid to correct you.
She has a big giggle.
She is a dancer.
She is lovely, and beautiful, and kind, and makes us smile each and everyday.
She no longer calls herself Laurno.
She is 4.

Caroline is One: A Birthday Party

Still, weeks later,

I can't quite believe that sweet 'day after Christmas' baby we call Caroline,

is in fact a year old.

With all the joy that planing a one year old celebration brings, we also got to experience celebrating the day after Christmas for the first time as well. 

While we were in Tennessee for the holiday, we decided to celebrate her birthday with a trip to the zoo, some presents and cake, followed by a small little party later in the week. 

The girls loved the zoo, especially the red panda exhibit, the penguins, giraffes, elephants, and those baby gorillas. We visited the Knoxville Zoo right after they were born and now they are active little toddlers... 

just when I think they can't get cuter. 

They do.

Kinda like a couple of other little girls I know...

After a trip to the toy store and cupcake shop for some birthday fun, we returned home for a delicious dinner, the birthday song and a blue cupcake chosen especially for Caroline by her big sister.

It was a hit.

We spent the rest of the week in disbelief that our baby Caroline was officially one and preparing for her party.

Since we held the party in Tennessee, there was some extra steps to ensure that all items were checked off the list, but my Mom was a huge help in preparing and executing each birthday task. With all the joy and sweetness that Caroline brings, we decided to go with a floral theme, much like the pretty little C that hangs above her bed. 

It was a lovely little party, perfect for that lovely little girl. From the fresh flowers on the cake to the adorable little 'one' cookies, it was pure sweetness. She danced to Stevie Wonder, ate strawberries followed by her own little smash cake, and played hide and seek in her birthday basket.

I don't know who loved it more, myself or Caroline.

I tried to smuggle it, balloon and all, to take home with me, but after Christmas + a one year birthday celebration there wasn't any room...

... for the balloon.

Caroline is ONE!

Despite my state of shock as to how an entire year has passed since we welcomed Caroline into this big beautiful world, it has.
And we have so much to celebrate.



At ONE year, our 'baby' Caroline...

... is so busy. She walks. She climbs. Did I mention she climbs? Girl has no fear. Standing on everything, especially her sister's rocking chair. She keeps all of us on our toes.

... can be found moving through the house with at least one item in her hand. This started a few months ago, but Caroline loves to hang on to something. A princess figurine, a spoon, her bunny, a maraca, whatever she can find. She hangs on and keeps moving.

... has 8 teeth.

... waves, a lot.

... blows kisses, shakes her head 'no', points & says 'this', and claps enthusiastically.

... adores her big sister, cuddles her pink bunny, can't get enough of her sister's toys or pop-up books.

... Caroline can bust a move and can even be heard singing along sometimes {that sweet sing song hum... may I never forget it}

... is known as the snuggler and the smiler in our house.

She is so loved.

And we are so, so, so, blessed to call her ours.

Lauren is 3!

It's hard to believe we've got a three year old in our house.
A little girl-
with any trace of baby-ness or toddlerhood fleeing fast.

While that leaves this mama with a heavy heart,
seeing who this sweet girl is becoming brings a new joy everyday.

This parenthood thing is bittersweet.



At three, our sweet Lauren...

... is active. She likes to stay busy and loves to talk about her busy days. She is currently in MDO, two times a week, take dance once a week, and fills the rest of her days with walks to the park, projects, puzzles, and her love of books.
... has a great imagination. Dress-up, pretend, and role-play has all started at our house. We've also got a song writer on our hands. Lauren likes to make up songs to sing and loves classic favorites like 'Wheels on the Bus', 'Skip to My Loo', "Twinkle, Twinkle", and 'ABC's".
... calls herself Laurno. Consistently.
... has started the fiercely independent phase. And oh boy, her strong willed attitude is really coming out.
... is a leader. She knows what she wants and she isn't afraid to tell you. This can also be seen as 'bossy', but we try not to use that word. Future #girlboss.
... has an infectious giggle, adores her little sister, is still working on sharing though, loves Disney & books {two of her mama's favorite things}, lights up when her dad walks through the door, loves sausage, to talk, play with her friends at the park, and is a deal maker (Is that a good deal, Mom?)

She fills our hearts with love, tries our patience daily, and has taught us more than we ever imagined possible in the last three years.