The Reeve Family: Playing Catch Up

Monday, September 26, 2011

Playing Catch Up - August 18th

Irelynn's 3rd Birthday!

Happy Happy Birthday to our BIG 3 year old! I'm so proud of this little girl. She is sweet as pie.

Irelynn was born feisty. We always said that her spirit was too big for her body. But it's amazing to see her change over three years time. She's still got spunk, but as she's maturing she's showing us the softer, sweeter, and more tender-hearted side of Irelynn.

She's very thoughtful and sympathetic for a 3 year old. When she prays, she includes every member of our family. She's usually aware of other's feelings and quick to reconcile an argument. Irelynn is almost always the first to appologize - even if it's not her fault. I think that's a wonderful spiritual gift. Irelynn's more gentle and compassionate than I think is common for such a little kid.

I am so impressed with how she treats Annika. Not only is she physically sensitive to the baby, but she seems to connect emotionally with her, too. Irelynn doesn't just run to her aid when she's upset, but she wants to play with her and help prevent her from crying. I think she learns that from Natalya - Natalya is always entertaining Annika just to make sure she's happy. Irelynn is full of charity.

Maybe we had it wrong when we said that her spirit was too big for her body. Instead, I think she has an old spirit in a little body.

Having said all that, she's still our Irelynn. She's still a little tom-boy-princess. She loves anything pink and sparkly, but she can keep up with the big kids in a wrestling match. She loves the outdoors and getting dirty. She loves to play with blocks, Legos, Hotwheels, and ride bikes - but she also loves My Little Ponies, dress-up, and her dollhouse. Irelynn can kick her pink soccer ball and score a goal while wearing a dress with sparkle shoes. She's the perfect hybrid of her big brother and sister.

I love this little girl. And I'm so glad she's ours.

August 18th, 2011

Before Irelynn woke up on the morning of her birthday.

"I'm 3!"

We retired her old (formerly Natalya's) Dora PJs. When the ruffle to the skirt ripped off, we decided to buy her NEW Dora pajamas.

Natalya has so many Barbies that Irelynn wants to "share," we decided she could have her own little Barbie, "Kelly".

Irelynn LOVES to paint. We bought her some art supplies: construction paper, finger paint, markers, paint and brushes, etc.

The best of all?! Food! Irelynn could survive on cookies if we let her. She's my junk food junkie. So for her birthday we bought her extra large boxes of her favorite junkie cereal.

And she got a new birthday outfit.

Irelynn with her favorite sugar cereals is like most kids are in a candy store.

The week before her birthday, she informed me that she was having a party! That was news to me. I asked her what kind of party (thinking she would say a theme like "Barbie" or "Rapunzel") and she simply said, "Pink!"

I tried to get her to clarify. I prompted, "Pink princesses? Pink Hello Kitty? Pink what?" She just looked at me and said, "No. Pink."

So pink it was. I called a couple friends and we threw together a party.

We made pink cupcakes with pink frosting and topped with pink marshmallows. (The marshmallows were Irelynn's idea.) I love these paper cupcake holders. They have flower petals.

We had a pizza picnic with Zoopals plates. Irelynn had always wanted me to buy Zoopals - but I thought they were expensive and unnecessary. I made an exception for her birthday. They were a total hit! I think the kids liked the plates more than the food.