Addalyn turns 3!

Addie had a 3-day birthday extravaganza for her 3rd birthday this week! We spent the last few days eating cupcakes, cake, and ice cream and showering her with love and attention. Of course she was diggin' it! Derrick and I decorated the house with PURPLE streamers, cut out her name from some pictures the kids had painted earlier in the week and a few other goodies to SURPRISE her when she woke up on her birthday! She was a very happy girl.

Day 1: We had our last bible study potluck and we brought PURPLE frosted cupcakes with PURPLE sprinkles! Her fav! We also put new sand in our sandbox and let the kids have at it! Very sandy you could say.....along with brown water and a gritty tub at bath time!

Day 2: The real BIRTHDAY, May 15. We had plans to meet friends at the park and eat more cake! This girl woke up to a PURPLE paradise and gifts and excitement to wear her garden fairy dress all day....even in the sand (I just had to grit my teeth a little and remember this is what washing machines are made for. Besides, who could resist this smile?).

Later in the day Addie had several special friends bless her with cute PURPLE gifts and all the Skate Church crew wished her a "happy birthday." More friends meant more cake!

This is Addie and her friend Evie enjoying their cake!

Day 3: Addie got mail (hence the beautiful pink ballerina dress she is lovin' in pic below & a few cards. Thanks for thinking of her!)! An evening ice cream cone party was planned with MooMoo and Papa and Aunt Mimi. This girl is so blessed by all her grandparents! In the below pic, she had everyone at the table working hard to open new girlie gifts----in ridiculous packaging may I add  (that subject may just be a blog post some day, "How many adults hands does it take to open a toddler toys?").

A happy 3 year old with new PURPLE princess PJs and several other fun girlie things!

Here's Kai and MooMoo helping to dress the princesses!

Grandpa and Grandma sent a new pink bike for Addie to practice! She's so proud to have her own....now we just need to log some practice time!

The younger years are sweeping away from us much faster than I'd ever imagined! I tried to take some time this week to reflect on Addalyn and our last 3 years as parents to this beautiful girl! She has some sass (although if you don't know her too well you've not yet seen this side much) and swing (dance moves) but she's so sweet and nurturing to others. 

As she becomes more interested in girlie stuff....princesses, dressing beautiful, make-up, nail polish or hair styles, Derrick and I want to stress where her true beauty lies. My prayer is that she would know and value she is beautiful from the inside out. Lately I've been asking her "Addie, where are you most beautiful?" and she answers "In my heart." 

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."

Proverbs 31:30

"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight."

1 Peter 3:3-4