Happy 3rd Birthday, Annika Marie!

This year we kept things simple. On Sunday before her birthday we went to Goodman Pool for the first time ever. And it was great! Both girls loved the experience. Annika hardly ever let go of our hands so that she could jump up and down.  The pool is a zero entry with some fun water spouts, fountains, hoses and other over-sized sprinkler towers. Fun for all ages!
The pool slowly gets deeper until it turns and reaches a deep end where they have a diving board. The girls had fun watching some boys do flips. Emma was not interested in swimming in the deep end or in going down the water slides. Maybe next year.
All was fun and games until for no reason Annika bit Daddy's finger. We took a time out on the chairs and a couple minutes later a break was called for the whole pool. Good timing so we headed home.
Annika requested salami, cheese, yogurt and Cheetos for dinner. We feasted on various combos of those main ingredients when we got home. Emma carried the cake (raspberry with raspberry frosting) while we all sang, including Annika. She blew out the candles in two or three puffs. Then she requested we eat cake and vanilla ice cream outside so we headed to the patio. It was such pleasant evening!
Annika also opened some presents with Emma's help. We gave her Knufflebunny (a book), homemade finger paints, an Elsa shirt, and a refill roll of paper for her easel. Emma was so sweet and made Hop Hop a tiny shirt (the stitches came off so we need to redo it but she was so eager to make if all herself and was quite proud, in Emma's quiet way) and gave Annika an Anna and Elsa shirt. Plus Emma wrote a very sweet card.
On Annika's birthday morning we made chocolate pancakes with whipped cream. Yummy! Later the girls went with Steve to the grocery and hung out at home while I taught Wonder Bugs. We all met at Noodles for lunch, where the girls had Mac and cheese dishes. Annika had meatballs on hers! Such a carnivore!  Atfter not napping we ran some errands and had a nice recap of her birthday meal. Grandma Karen (across the street) stopped by and gave Annika a present from her and Tom- a Bunnies Tale book and a cute bunny purse. Godfather Andrew called to give their wishes as well as Auntie Em. Fun night!
Annika must have had a fun, tiring day because she fell asleep without any shenanigans!  A wonderful birthday season for a wonderful little girl!

Annika- you are still that smiley charmer so quick to laugh. You will talk to anyone about anything that comes to your mind. You definitely know what you want and can stubbornly hold your ground. Your three year old outbursts are loud and intense but you can be calmed down quickly with some distractions. You adore your big sis! Whatever Emma is doing, you want to do as well. Although you have found your own person inside. You still like Barbies while Emma has given them up. You love to run around naked! Just yesterday you wore only your undies outside and then just took those off as well. You rode your bike naked, gardened naked and of course, went potty outside. You have taken on a big girl bed with pizazz! It was your decision to also give up Pull-ups at the same time. Big girl bed, big girl undies for all sleeps. And you are doing amazing! We wish for you a lifetime of following your dreams, doing whatever it is that makes you happy. Keep smiling and laughing! It is contagious.

Annika's 2nd birthday (because now she is 3!)

Trying to catch up a little and delete texts saved in Notability....

Thanks 2 You

Happy 2nd birthday, little A!  You are such a delightful and happy girl. so curious and eager to learn and help. You obviously desire to be just like your big sister in every way and attempt to keep up with her in almost all situations. You have peed on the potty and toilet a few times now although you aren't super interested in actually training. That's just fine for now. I have no doubt that when you want to, you will train yourself. :)  I wish for you to always be able to find the joy in life- that will serve you well from 2 to old age. Keep that good sense of humor and easy laugh.

For your birthday we went to visit Aunt Susan in Cincinnati for the weekend. We left on friday morning, arriving in time to eat dinner at Aunt susan's apartment. the drive was over 7 hours and you were not a happy camper; I spent a lot of time askign you to be quiet. ssh! Aunt susan had made a delicious meal of heuvos rancheros with black beans and these veggie pancakes and latkes. Oh so good. There is no table or chairs at Aunt susie's so we tried to get you to sit still on the couch to minimize cleanups on the rug. You kind of banged around like a pinball but ate well. We sang Happy Brithday to you and you tried to blow out hte candles on top of the Mint Truffle ice cream cake. You slept well in the pack and play in the roommates room.
 The next morning we all went to check out Eden park that has views of the river and kentucky. Then we went to the observatory and enjoyed walking through the greenhouses. the park across the street had the President'os Grove of trees planted in honor of all the US Presidents. then we drove to the museum spot and had lunch in the cafe before exploring the children's museuem.  You cooked a baby in the house that was part of the kid-sized village. Before then you climbed on everything you c