Thanks 3 million!

Estelle got the best birthday gift from Uncle Eddie, Aunt Angie and Heath the other day -- we thought we'd post a picture so they could see how much she enjoys it!

Three's a charm!

Estelle turned 3 today! We celebrated yesterday with a fun party on a gorgeous summer night. Birthdays are so much more exciting when you actually get what they're all about. Estelle has been telling everyone for weeks that she's going to be "free" on "August on 18th." For some time now, I've been asking her what she'd like on her birthday cake. To my chagrin, she said, "Clifford!" (again!). Knowing that I couldn't go down that road again, I persisted in asking the question, hoping she'd change her mind. Finally, I got a different answer, "Clifford and George and Mickey and all of my friends!" Not exactly less challenging than last year's task. So we compromised...

Patrick was in fine form once again, explaining to Estelle that he'd swallowed her present.

Mommy and daddy gave Estelle a fun tricycle and a new bike helmet, which great aunt Pegs had to try out.

But grandma stole the night with her rockin' gift (the t-shirt was just foreshadowing)...

Then today, grandpa called to sing Estelle "happy birthday!" and we had a nice chat with Frank and JC on the phone too. What a fun couple of days for the big three-year old!

Never enough swimming!

We have practically lived at the pool this summer. Estelle gets more brave each time and doesn't hesitate to launch herself off the side of the pool -- I have to watch her pretty carefully since she also doesn't pay much attention to whether or not she has a flotation device on.



Every time she comes to the surface, she is giggling and has a huge smile on her face. I tell her to close her mouth so she won't swallow so much water, but she can't stop smiling. Then I laugh...then she laughs some more. Summer is fun.

Good thing Grandma lives on a quiet street

Because I looked out the front window of her house to find this...umm, display...in the front yard.