Bella is 3 !!!!!!!

I had a short work week for the first week of December, thanks to my sweet little girl's 3rd birthday :) On Thursday morning when she woke up, she saw that her "elf on the shelf" had put three pink candles on her birthday donut. She was in awe! She had her three year portraits in the afternoon, and poor thing wasn't feeling the greatest, but we still got some cute shots. While we were waiting for pictures, we headed over to build-a-bear. Of course she picked out a pink unicorn. (yes, everything HAS to be pink) She named her "Little Pony" and had a blast giving her "a bath." Then she wanted a happy meal, so we went to the food court and the kids had McDonalds. I am not a fan of fast food other than taco bell, so this is considered a treat ;)

Both kids napped for a bit when we got home, and then I brought out the cake I made for her and her 21 year candle. For supper we went to Olive Garden because that is her favorite place to eat. I am pretty sure she had a fantastic birthday!

Friday, I left work early because we had tickets to the Polar Express train ride! We got the kids (and us) in jammies and drove to Green Bay. It was such a neat experience and we hope to do it again when Connor is a bit older. Bella loved going to the "North Pole" on the train and seeing Santa afterwards. Both kids had so much fun!

Since my inlaws had to be out of town for the weekend, we decided to have my family get together with us and celebrate Bella's birthday. We had a princess party for her and it was alot of fun with alot of presents! My mom made her the princess cake. I thought it was so neat and so sweet of her to spend 9 hours making it special :) She got alot of games, so we had a blast playing hungry hungry hippos, candy land, and chutes and ladders! For each birthday, my mom makes a cut-out cookie of the number of their birthdate. It's still so hard and bittersweet to hear "THREE YEARS OLD!"

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Monday, December 7th, we decorated our tiny little tree. Since we aren't here for Christmas, we had a tiny one cut. Connor undecorates it anyway, so we are glad it's not big and can fall on him.

Wednesday, we were supposed to have our family Christmas pictures taken but I cancelled due to a snow storm. So glad I did, because we had a nice day lounging around in our jammies. Bella and I made her first gingerbread house but I forgot to put my memory card in my camera when I was taking pictures! :(

Friday, we headed to my parents' as usual. Mike headed to camp since deer season is just about finished and we made another gingerbread house. My mom definately has more talent than I do at this ;) Saturday morning, my friend Mandy came over with her husband and kids for a quick visit since they happened to be in town. Bella made gingerbread cookies with grammy and played with her buddy, Madison. Later that afternoon, we went outside to play in the snow.

Sunday, after she got back from church, we went to grandma Fran's for the day. The kids played and read books, and then after supper, we headed back home.