3.

As you may know, I like my birthday to last for at least 2 weeks. Sienna had her 3rd birthday "Lauren-Style" starting the weekend before her actual birthday. Well, that was the plan. We invited a few of her little friends to a Waffle Brunch party on Saturday, January 29th. Unfortunately, on January 26th, we had a snow storm that caused the electricity to go out for four days. No heat, no electricity, no water, therefore limited bathroom options....so we rescheduled. It is hard to explain to an almost-three-year-old why you couldn't have her birthday party. On the other hand, she didn't understand why it was cold in the house, why there was no TV, no lights for 4 days, etc. Fortunately, the power came back on the day of the (already re-scheduled) party.

On Sunday, Uncle Dave, and Aunt Kerry came over and we had Sienna's favorite foods for dinner. We had homemade Mac n Cheese, chicken nuggets, pigs in a blanket, french fries, applesauce and carrots cooked in honey. I wanted to take a picture of the menu and set table but the adults ate the "kid food" so fast I didn't get a chance to take a picture. Oh well. It WAS delish.

We then brought Sienna out to see the Birthday Blanket. I wish I had the video clip (I'll post it if I can) but her face was priceless when she saw the blanket.

For ME!?

After the presents, we had cake #1:

Then the winding-down process...

The next day was her actual birthday, so we had to celebrate again, of course. So we took her to her favorite fine dining establishment: Chick-fila. Because she was really into showing us that she had eaten all of her chicken by opening her mouth, we had very few pleasant pictures to capture this birthday meal.

Finally, on Saturday her friends arrived for her long-awaited birthday party. #3. There was waffles, fruit, juice and birthday cake #2. There was also chasing, piano playing, toy sharing, toy snatching, shrieking, laughing, crying and everything in between.

Later that day, I asked Sienna if she liked her birthday party. "Well...it was a little busy."

Ahh - well. Maybe next year.

Hereditary fail.

Sienna found this old Pearl Jam CD cover at my parent's house and asked me, "Why is this guy so grumpy?"

You know your family is too hairy when she thinks this animal is a person.

This and That

Not that I'm surprised, but Sienna beat me at her very first game of Candyland.

It was extremely embarrassing for me because all of her friends were there watching.

The victory dance...

Sienna used to love it when I painted her nails, but now she wants to be in charge.

Are you jealous of my manicure? Gift certificates are available.

In other news, Jessica & Lee had their baby boy two weeks ago. I have been waiting for this little munchkin to arrive for months but (of course) Jess went into labor early while we were in Charlotte for 4 days. So we missed it. However, we made it back to VA in record time to see him the very next day. Isn't he a cutie?

Aunt Lauren & Uncle Dan!

Sienna's got to meet Baby Stratton about 10 days later. I LOOOVE this picture!!!

My big little girl had her first dance class last week. She was so excited! I thought she might be upset to learn that parents are not allowed in the classroom. But then I remembered that she doesn't even like to hug me so she was fine. She just yelled "See ya, Mommy!" and ran right in the room.

I did get a cute little smile and wave once she sat down with the group. (The wave is not pictured. But she did wave to me. She DID!) She is seated next the girl with the pigtails.

She did tell me she "forgot her ballerina dress", so maybe she'll find one under the "Birthday Blanket" this weekend :)

Our "little" Christmas News!

We were very patient waiting for our Christmas surprise! My sonogram was just a few days before Christmas so we put the results in a sealed envelope and placed on the branches of the Christmas tree just to torture us all. On Christmas Eve we opened it, and...

?

?

?

?

?

?

?

?

..it's a BOY!

(Does he look like Daniel?)

There is a clearer photo indicating that it is a boy, but this a family G-rated blog, so we opted for the profile photo instead.

Because Pop-Pop can't help making a joke whenever he has a chance, this was on the tree Christmas morning...

Inside?

But I can assure you, Sienna will have a baby brother, due to arrive May 22, 2011! Can't wait!

Chopsticks

Isn't it kind of hard to use chopsticks? Apparently not - here's Sienna's first try after watching Daddy at Noodles & Co...

Snow Day!

This...

plus this...

plus this...

plus this...

...equals a great day. :)

Sienna's first camping trip!

Daddy's little helper...putting up the tent.

She LOVED playing in the tent until she realized that she had to sleep in it. But she got over it.

Good mornin'! Daddy making oatmeal, pancakes & hot chocolate. So good.

SUPERGIRL! Halloween 2010

Family shot

Group shot of the kids

Pic with her buddy, Jaxen. How cute are they?

Yikes - what a photo. Will she use her powers for good or evil?

Stretching?

Learning how to

smile for the camera...

Yes, we suggested the flying idea. Once she figured out Daddy would "fly" Supergirl to every house, she was over the walking thing. It's difficult to be her parents because she is smarter than we are.