Saturday, March 22, 2014

Mouse's Corner: Birthday Festivities

I love birthdays, and Mouse is at an age where she loves them too.  She began planning her March birthday back in December, making it clear she wanted a pirate theme.  The princess cake idea came a month before her birthday, all the while with her insisting we continue with the pirate theme for everything else.  Thank goodness too because my mom and I had already collected all the party favors and decorations.  I did ask her if she wanted a pirate princess cake a few times, but she was adamant she just wanted a princess cake.  

My husband and I had talked about taking Mouse to Disneyland for her 3rd birthday, a trip with just the three of us, when she turned two.  And so, it was with great anticipation we arrived at Disneyland, where who should we meet upon entering the gate?  Why, Mouse's favorite princess!  Cinderella!


We stopped at City Hall to pick up birthday and celebration buttons.  Disneyland staff who see the buttons stopped to wish Mouse a happy birthday.  At first I think she was a little confused, but she soon got into the spirit of it.  We had a wonderful time at the park. Mouse had as much fun on the rides as she did meeting the various characters.  Her favorite, I think, was Minnie Mouse.  Mouse said her favorite ride of the day was the Dumbo ride.  She loved being up so high.





The next day was Mouse's school party.  My mom, who was in from out of town, and I arrived early at the school so we could help set up the decorations and games.  Each child had a pirate hat and eye patches, and we drew mustaches and beards on them if they requested.  The children had a blast searching for treasure in the play area and pinning the patch on the pirate.  My husband arrived with the pizza and cupcake cakes.  It was a fun afternoon.  We are very fortunate that Mouse's daycare provider allowed us to have the party during the school day so that all Mouse's friends could come.




We had a quieter party with just family the following day.  It was much more laid back.  Several family members were able to come in from out of town, which made the event even more special for Mouse.

This past Sunday, Mouse, her dad and I ventured to the mall where she used a gift card to make a "Happy Birthday Bear" and she got her free cupcake from Barnes and Noble.  So, I guess you could say her birthday lasted nearly a week and a half.  


Now Mouse wants to know whose birthday comes next.  My husband is probably hoping she'll forget I told her it was Parker's birthday this coming month . . .  When I asked Mouse if Parker would like to go to Disneyland, she informed me that he can't go, he's an inside only cat.  Smart girl.

On a more sentimental note, it is hard to believe Mouse is now three years old.  It seems like just yesterday we were in the hospital waiting for her to be born.  She definitely has a mind of her own, and most of the time I love her independent spirit.  And yet she is actually quite sweet.  She enjoys telling stories and making up songs.  She is now in that "why" phase you hear so much about.  She is always eager to learn and wants to try things on her own.  She still loves to cuddle up with us though and sometimes wants to be carried and coddled.  I love how girlish she can be and then the next minute be more of a tomboy.  She is honest and at times dramatic.  She can be so silly one minute and completely serious the next.  When she falls, she lets you know she's okay right away, before you ask.  Your average toddler, no doubt, but she's mine, which makes her extra special to me.

The day Mouse officially turned three, I swear to you, her cry and yell was louder.  Her "No!" more firm.  The terrible twos passed us by without really being terrible at all, and I am hoping the thunderous threes do the same.  Still, I already sense a growing independence and rebelliousness in her.  I look forward to it just as much as I fear it.  I am excited about seeing her continued growth.  I treasure this time of innocence, and yet I also look forward to introducing her more to this world we live in.  My little girl wants so much to be a big girl, and all I want is for time to slow down.  My little girl is three, can you believe it?  Oh my gosh, I feel so old!


© 2014, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

32 comments:

  1. Wendy, what a a special day for your special girl. Growing up fast:)

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    1. Diane - She is growing up way too fast. I can't keep up!

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  2. Oh my gosh, how cute! Happy Birthday to your little one! And what an awesome way to celebrate in Disney!
    That's a fun age. They grow up so fast, it's unbelievable how time flies. Cherish every minute, as I'm sure you do. Mine are both teens and I swear I was just in labor and delivery.

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    1. Naida - It was a lot of fun. We ended up getting a two day Southern California pass (it was cheaper) and hope to go back sometime in the next three months.

      Play time has definitely gotten more interesting, the older she gets. She has such a great imagination and hunger to learn.

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  3. Such a wonderful and memorable birthday for a little one! Love that pirate costume--too cute!

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    1. Jenclair - She was so adorable. My husband thought the costume was going overboard, but it was just a costume shirt she threw on over her regular clothes--and then we got everyone pirate hats for the party. She loved it, and that's what I was aiming for. :-)

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  4. Happy birthday to little mouse! How wonderful that she got to celebrate it at Disneyland!

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  5. I love that she wanted both pirate and princess birthday things - no labels for that girl! Happy birthday to Mouse!

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    1. Lisa - I love that too, Lisa. She isn't easily pigeon-holed, that's for sure.

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  6. What a fun, fun birthday! Mouse sounds like a special toddler to me!

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    1. Kathy - Thank you. :-) I think she's pretty special, and I love her so.

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  7. What a great birthday she had! I cannot believe she is already three...it sure does go fast!vthanks for sharing this with all of us!

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    1. Samantha - We definitely went overboard, but she had a great time and so did we. I'm still recovering!

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  8. A happy birthday to Mouse! Oh what a dream of a birthday for your little one and a memory for all of you to treasure! All pictures are so cute but my favorite is in her little pirate outfit... so, so cute!

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    1. Iliana - Thank you! She seemed quite pleased with how everything turned out. :-)

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  9. Such lovely photos of the birthday girl, what a truly magical celebration.

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    1. Tracy - She had a great time, as did we all. I still can't believe she's three . . . She won't let me forget though. LOL

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  10. It looks like a fantastic time. :) Great pictures!

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  11. I think Mouse's birthday sounds amazing - nothing is better than a week long celebration really! She's such a cutie.

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    1. Meghan - It's way too easy for me to go overboard, I'm afraid. :-) She enjoyed it though.

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  12. Looks like a great birthday - love the pirate theme! The older I get the more I realize I was robbed by only celebrating on my actual birthday, now I know celebrating all week or, better yet, all month is waaaay better. Glad to see Mouse is getting an early start on those lengthy birthday festivities! ;-)

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    1. Megan - I thought for sure she'd change her mind since she chose the theme so early on, but nope. I'm glad she didn't. :-) I like to stretch my birthday out as long as I can . . . Even if only in my own head. LOL

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  13. This is a fun age for birthdays. They get it, at this age. My daughter had a party at age 10, because she really wanted one but kids in her school don't really do parties anymore at this age and hers falls over Fall break so she never gets a good turnout for them. I think we had 5 kids out of 30 come.

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    1. Ti - Timing is everything for birthdays sometimes, isn't it? With Mouse's being when it is, we never know if it will rain or not until close to the date. Last year we had to forgo the jumper she so desperately wanted because of rain, but fortunately, she was able to get one this year.

      I am really lucky that her daycare provider lets us have her party during the school day so I don't have to worry about attendance. It won't always be like this, but I'll take advantage of it as long as I can!

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  14. You know how to do birthdays in style! She is so adorable and I'll say it again I wish she and Gage could have playdates! Maybe one day when we make it to Disneyland :)
    I love the threes. Except for today, day 7 of spring break and Gage needs to go back to school. He wants to go back to school :)

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    1. Stacy - I try. :-) I wish we lived closer too. I think Gage and Mouse would have fun playing together. If you ever do come to Disneyland, we will have to get together. It's too close not to!

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  15. I love these photos as Mouse grows up. She is such a lovely little girl, and so strikingly like you in some ways, Wendy. Disneyland was fun for all of you! I like how you all were tuckered out at the end of the day, too. Birthdays are like that. Thank you for sharing them with us :-)

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    1. Susan - Aw, thanks, Susan. It was a fun filled time--although exhausting. Mouse keeps asking if she can have another birthday party. I told her I'll have enough energy in about a year.

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  16. What a special way to celebrate Mouse's birthday! Happy belated birthday to her! My little one will be turning three on Monday. It's hard to believe.

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  17. A.M.B. - Happy birthday to your daughter! How exciting!

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