The Princess Queen Turns 3

Sweet Ida Shmida turned 3 and we all think she has brought 3 happy years to our family. She was the best surprise Josh, Emerson, and I could have gotten. She and Emerson are attached at the hip. They don't know life without each other. She makes the best faces, is great at using side walk chalk, mothers all of us until we are filled to the brim with love and cuddles, does dishes and cooks like she is 30, and has the BEST imagination. She loves to laugh and we love to listen to her bellows echo through the house. She is every bit as sweet as her name. We love you, Ida!

As always, I took a "Birthday waking up picture" of Ida. I laughed when I noticed she was already dressed for her big day. Notice all her outfit changes through out the post.

I almost died when Ida told me she wanted a Cinderella cake. Um, I usually just do animals.......but, a girl must have Cinderella, I guess. I totally flopped in making the first skirt I tried around 10 o'clock this morning. Off to Busch's we went to get more cake. I grabbed another tub of frosting for good measure.......I am a SMART mama because I needed it!:) So, I finally started putting Cinderelly together around 1:30 and guests were coming at 3:30. I surprised myself and finished around 2:30. I couldn't believe I had enough time to blow dry my hair!

Ida couldn't keep her eyes off her cake. From the time she woke up from her nap, until Grandpa got here, she ran to the kitchen to grab a peek every now and then. I am SO happy she loved it. "That is a beautiful cake, Mom!"

The party goers

Grandpa

I think Ida is in outfit #3 in this picture.

Let the presents begin!

I traded two dolls for these two ADORABLE outfits that my friend Des made. She has an Etsy shop called The Twirling Dandelion where she sells them and boy ties. Ida couldn't be happier wearing them!

Um, Ida is actually sleeping in her tent right now! It is the awesomest thing ever! I asked Ida what her favorite present is and she said, "My tent and my crown." Thanks, Em!

The kids enjoyed some outdoor activities with Coach O, and yes, Ida was right in the mix, sprinting around in her pink, swishy dress! I think I saw him running soccer drills with them. Either way, they loved playing outside. And, like the oldest kid, Emerson laid the ground rules about going in the garden. The plants are off limits!

Cake time!

"Mom, you're a good caker!"

We had a great day and are so happy to have loving family around to share the day with us. We all made sure to eat some cake for Josh. We miss and love you!

Cupcakes and Tomato Soup

I think it is safe to say we were outside ALL day yesterday between swimming and doing chores. It was HOT but also fun. I love spending time in our AWESOME backyard during the late afternoon and evening with the kids. Their imaginations come to life, but from a mom perspective, I'm also less worried that they are going to shrivel or melt because of the heat. We had our first ever ice cream sandwiches, and Ida wasn't going to let one cent go uneaten.

Daddy would be so proud of her quality control habits.

After we filled our bellies, it was time to go fishing. Thanks to the VERY under-weed-whipped lawn, we found some great vegetation to cast a line.

Emerson caught a huge piece of grass and Ida, well......She gave up and went swimming.

This is my gargantuan Brandywine tomato plant. Fun fact for all you pyromaniacs and tomato lovers: Tomatoes love growing in old burn piles.....I didn't know. The kids thought the garden needed a few more plants so they planted some rocks.

We finished the evening playing soccer. Ida was determined to out run her shadow. She never managed to. Shadows are SO fun!

Mom: "What are you planting, Emerson?"

Emerson: "Tomato soup!"

Mom: "Yum! And you, Ida?"

Ida: "I am planting cupcakes. But when they get big over there, we have to eat them in a hot air balloon!"

Cool Tricks, Cool Tricks!

Trick #1: The Somersault

Trick #2: The Assisted Somersault

Trick #3: The triple whip.....jumping and spinning in the air

Trick #4: Guessing the right password to cross the troll bridge.

Trick #5: The perfectly coordinated outfit...sunglasses, shoes, flowers, bicycle