Happy 3rd Birthday, Anna!

Our sweet Anna Kathleen turned 3 on March 22nd. We were extra lucky this year to get to have both sets of grandparents around on her real birthday. Grandma and Grandpa Nelson had to leave shortly after the party, but they were here for the best part. We spent the morning running errands and finishing touches for both the birthday and Easter the next day. Anna was so excited when we picked up her cake from Sam's Club. Sidenote: I normally make my kids cakes, but since everything I own is still packed up, I had to do a store cake. I was a bit sad about it, but my back after just having baby #3 is thanking me for giving it a year off. Anyway, I wish I had the camera with me when we picked it up, but the singing pictures are still fun. I love how she looks like she feels special and isn't that what it is all about? It is still weird to think that she is my big 3 year old girl. I remember her birth so vividly and how shocked I was that she was a girl as I was so certain she was a boy.

At 3, however, Anna is fantastic. She is the most stubborn little thing you have ever met, but boy is she also adventurous. She was the first of the kids to get stitches to prove it! She has a great smile and infectious laugh. She wants anyone and everyone to play with her (especially if you will play doll house). She loves pink yogurt, pink clothes---and will only wear things she picks out, ice cream (Baskin Robbins rainbow sherbet which is pink and orange), taking care of her sister Rachel, shopping, shoes, purses, sunglasses (yep, they are pink too), and following big brother Jacob around. Anna is very funny and loves to pretend to be about anything but her favorites are robots and doggies. She loves dolls and taking care of them. She is definitely a mother in training.

I think the thing I love most about her is that she is so darn independent and strong, qualities I definitely want her to have. I also love how good she smells, how cute she is, and how much she loves her family. Her Daddy is usually the apple of her eye, but there is room for the rest of us too. So, at this special time of year, we hope Annie, Anna Banana, Anna Banana Pants, sweet girl, princess, princess punk, and Anna Kathleen (Caf-a-ween is her pronunciation) knows just how much we love her. Happy 3rd Birthday, Big Girl!

The traditional family cake picture, but one of the only ones we have with all 3 kids and no crying! Aren't they cute kids? We think so!
Anna having just blown out her candle is proud and feeling special!

The picture with Jake is the present he gave her. He was so worried about me having a gift for him to give her, it was really sweet. Luckily, Mom (and Grandma who actually bought that one) were prepared! I love that he wants to give her gifts. The other pictures just have to speak for themselves as I am having technical difficulties right now!