and she's three!

the birthday girl and her cake, finally! another Grandma B creation...

I can't believe we are FIVE days into September! We've had a few big days around here, the most notable of which was Alana's birthday earlier this week - our little girl is three years old! Looking back on earlier birthday blog posts, it's hard to believe we're already at the three year mark. She woke up asking for cake (of course she did), and asked for cake again for lunch and dinner, and was pleased as punch that she was having a party - just for her! Highlights were opening presents, playing pin the tail on the doggy, getting to eat icing off of a few pieces of a beautiful pink doggy birthday cake (her request, made by Grandma B), and having some of her favourite people in our back yard to celebrate with her (Grandma and Gramps were there, along with Aunt and Unc, Liz, Sandra, Sofia and her two girls Adriana and Chrysoula, Paul and Ahan and Bipasha, Maeve, Kari and Paul, and the rest of her immediate family). Steve did a great job on the BBQ feeding the crowd, and though rain threatened, those that were able to take the heat and humidity stayed outside for food and activities. Top presents include a doggy game that we haven't figured out yet - but there are six little plush doggies and she loves them!, a battery-powered bubble blower, a vintage Fisher Price purse (she was using the lipstick as a screwdriver this morning to fix handrails upstairs), little George (a cat stuffy), a Magna Doodle, and books (both kids are loving Tools Rule! and I'm especially into Black Cat White Cat). It was an amazing day, and here are her answers to the annual round of birthday questions:

What's your favourite animal? Emu and ostrich (I was sure she'd say doggy)
Favourite colour? Pink
Favourite food? Quesadillas (surprise!)
Who's your best friend? "these guys," she said, referring to little George and Chrissy dog (a plush doggy from Chrysoula and her sister).
Who's your best friend - person? "You!" (mommy)
What's your favourite place to go? The YMCA.
What's your favourite book? My Favorite Run

with her new vintage FP purse + contents

Her latest thing is giving me hugs ... all the time. In the car she'll ask for an "arm huggy" and at dinner she face plants into my lap to give me a hug - even in the middle of the night she wakes up and wants to give me a hug. I love it. I love it a bit less in the middle of the night, but it's still adorable.

And another latest thing that is starting on Tuesday is PRESCHOOL! The littlest one is also going to school, just down the street from Hendrik's elementary school. Hendrik and I also start school on Tuesday, so it will be one busy day; I'm hoping it'll be relatively stress-free, calm, and without incident. We've been talking about school with Hendrik for quite a while (we're even doing the sleeps countdown), and he seems excited to go back (though whether or not he realizes what going back to school is or means, we're not sure). We've had a few get togethers with some kids from his class, so at least there will be a few familiar faces. I have a list of things to get to, so should run... Happy September!