A Letter to My Daughter Aged 3

Dear Miss C,

Today you turned three years old. It doesn't seem like you've been here for three years, more like you have always been here. That we had a life before you came doesn't seem right in some way.

This year we've noticed you really come out of your shell and your personality is really starting to shine brightly. You've always been quiet but that isn't because you are shy. You just like to be heard when you want to be.

You are definitely a "Daddy's Girl" which is probably because you spend a lot of time with him on your own whilst Wee Z is at nursery. And, of course, he is a brilliant Daddy too! However, at night time, if you get upset it's me you want to comfort you. It's nice to know that you still need your Mummy sometimes!

You definitely know what you want and are determined to do things for yourself, like getting dressed, putting your shoes on and brushing your teeth. You are getting good at all of these things too but sometimes still need some help.

You love animals and always want to cuddle Casper and the other cats. If we go to the park you always say, "Awwwwww" at the animals, especially the baby ones and want to cuddle them and stroke them. You are desperate for a puppy but for now we will be sticking to cats.

You love trying new things whether it be new games, new places or new foods.

You hate beasties. I think you take that from me!

You had a fantastic birthday. You got lots of lovely new toys from friends, family and from us too. You had so much fun at the farm park with your best friend from next door too. And the best bit of all was the birthday cake and blowing out your candles. You loved everyone singing Happy Birthday to you.

Happy birthday my little princess!

Lots of love from Mummy xxx+o

Miss C aged 3

The Sunday Round-Up #WeekTwentyone

Last Sunday, the sun was shining and everyone was in a good mood. We decided to take advantage of the nice weather and do our gardening. We have a low maintenance garden, that's how we like it, so gardening involved weeding and sweeping. Husband also washed all the slabs and decking with his pressure washer. The decking was being re-painted so he had to make sure it was all clean first. Miss C and Wee Z came into the front garden with me, which we don't use at all, so this was a novelty for them.

On Monday, the sun was still shining. We were hoping this was going to be the start of some really good weather. The kids and I sat outside enjoying the sunshine on our newly cleaned decking.

On Tuesday, the sun was shining even brighter, so we took advantage of the nice weather and had the spaceship tent up outside along with some toys inside to play with. The kids loved it!

On Wednesday, we put the paddling pool up. It was even hotter but we kept them cool and made sure they were well covered up and lathered in sun cream. They loved the pool so much, they stayed in there for their shower!

On Thursday, we went to the park. We met up with Miss E and Wee L and they had a great time running around with a ball and even got to sit in a fire engine when one turned up at the park. There wasn't a fire, thankfully! I think they just came for a visit. Husband managed to paint the decking whilst we were there and it was all done for us coming home.

On Friday, ballet was off so we played outside all day. Husband painted the fences whilst Miss C and Wee Z played on the trampoline. I was rushing around getting the last few bits for their birthday party.

On Saturday, after karate, we had friends over for a picnic outside. We had sandwiches and crisps, strawberries and juice and, to cool us all down, we had ice cream and ice lollies.

I hope this lovely weather is going to continue!

My Daughter's Third Year in Photos

Tomorrow, Miss C turns 3. I can't believe how quickly, not only this year, but the last 3 years have gone passed.

Over the course of the year from her last birthday I've noticed Miss C become more talkative, more sociable and more cheeky.

I have noticed her change from a toddler into to a little girl.

Here is her third year in photos:

25 months

26 months

27 months

28 months

29 months and it's Halloween

30 months

31 months and getting ready for New Year

32 months

33 months

34 months

35 months

Silent Sunday

How to Plan a Garden/House Party

This weekend we are celebrating Miss C turning 3 and Wee Z turning 5 next week by having a bit of a get-together at our house. We did the big party last year where all the kids from the nursery group were invited but this year we decided to just have the party at home.

Some people may say we are crazy. What if it is raining? Do we really want all those people inside the house? I'm taking a PMA (Positive Mental Attitude) approach here and saying it will not rain, it will be glorious and everyone will have a great time.

First thing on my list of planning was our guest list. Because the party is at home, we decided to invite close friends and family only. We have about 13 kids coming and probably double the adults. Inviting all the grandparents means they can keep the kids amused whilst we get food and drinks sorted for everyone.

Next on the list was food and drink. The party starts at 1:30 so I thought a light snack around 2:30 would be good. We'll have the usual party food essentials such as cocktail sausages, top hats and crisps and we'll do some hot food too, probably pizza and chips. I'm also making cake pops!

Finally we had to plan party games. We've decided to go with the classics: musical statues, pass the parcel and a balloon relay race. I can't wait to see the kids trying to run with a big balloon between their legs. We may even have one for the adults too.

The party is scheduled to finish at 3:30 but the beauty of having a party at home is that we aren't restricted to times nor do we have to be out before another party comes in. The only drawback is all the cleaning up I'll have to do afterwards!

Fingers crossed for the sunshine!

My Daughter's Second Year in Photos

The second year of Miss C's life was completely different from her first year. Her first year consisted of nappy changing, feeding, broken sleep and lots of baby cuddles. We didn't really see her personality start to shine through until after her first birthday and with that came learning to walk, to run and to speak lots of new words every day.

Miss C dotted (and still does) on her brother. She wanted to do everything Wee Z could do and would sit patiently with him whilst he would teach her her ABCs and how to count and show her how to play with her toys and sometimes his own toys too! Their bond started to grow a lot more in her second year which was lovely to watch.

Here is my daughter's second year in photos:

13 months and starting to get into mischief

14 months

15 months

16 months and starting to lose some of her baby chubby-ness

17 months and her first pigtails

18 months

19 months and her second Christmas

20 months

21 months

22 months and still loves her cuddles

23 months

Birthday girl turns 2

Our Primary One Induction

Last week Wee Z and I headed down to what will be his primary school after the summer holidays for our induction meeting. We pass it during the week because he goes to the nursery attached to the school so it wasn't unfamiliar territory and he has been enjoying weekly visits since the Easter holidays to meet his teachers and discover the classrooms.

I was really nervous about the meeting, not really knowing what to expect and it made it all very real that in a few months my little boy will be starting school. Not that Wee Z is phased by the prospect of leaving nursery. He is really looking forward to going to school and has been since he started nursery almost 2 years ago!

The meeting went really well and I enjoyed watching a DVD the P6 class had made as a welcome and introduction to the primary school. Wee Z has a P6 buddy who will be in P7 when he goes which I think is a great idea to help the young ones get settled into primary school and knowing they have a child to look up to if they need them.

Whilst the parents had the formal meeting, Wee Z went off with Miss E and some of his other nursery friends to play in the classroom with the three primary 1 teachers. I didn't get much from Wee Z when they came back other than they had played and had fun. They were more interested in the refreshments cart with the plate of chocolate biscuits on it.

Next week I shall find out what class he is going into. He has a favourite out of the three primary 1 teachers, the young one, "without any wrinkles!"