Three

Today our Gracie Rosemarie turned three. Every year I say how I can't believe another year has gone by, and this year is no different. What a joy Gracie is in our lives. She is bright, affectionate, full of personality and keeps us constantly laughing.

I have told her numerous times that she is not allowed to grow anymore, I just want to her to stay the way she is now. While every age has it's wonderful qualities, I absolutely adore her at this sweet, innocent baby turning into a big girl age. There are moments when she still seems so little, when her pink cheeks are all flushed and her head is full of sweaty curls while she sleeps. I cherish the times she still wants me to carry her or snuggle with her. Then other times I'm amazed at how independent she is becoming, her depth of understanding and that despite her little voice, the big girl way she talks.

I love her contagious giggle, funny over the top facial expressions and the way she kisses her own boo-boos. She is quite affectionate and give dozens of kisses a day. She uses the word "actually" on a daily basis, frequently is heard singing to herself and still adores ladybugs, caterpillars and butterflies.

She has grown by leaps and bounds this year. She is enjoying doing daily school with mommy, learning to write (she impressed her pediatrician by writing her name), knows all her letters and most sounds. She is participating in AWANA Cubbies, where she is memorizing a Bible verse each week, is in children's choir at our church and taking a day of preschool at our homeschool Co-op.

During her two year old year she was obsessed with The Very Hungry Caterpillar book. Here is a video of Gracie at 26 months "reading" her favorite book.

For her birthday this year, we decided to have a couple families over to celebrate "Very Hungry Caterpillar" style.
We read the story and some of the kids helped with the flannel graph story pieces.
We nibbled on all the food mentioned in the story and finished it off with chocolate cake with cherries on top just like in the book.
The birthday girl in her adorable new Very Hungry Caterpillar dress. (Isn't it the cutest?)
The kids played in the yard and danced in butterfly wings as the sun set and the adults talked around the fire pit. What a wonderful night celebrating our birthday girl!

As we are celebrating her third year, I can't help but think of how my sweet little caterpillar is growing and turning into a beautiful butterfly. I can't wait to watch her soar!

Happy Birthday to our Gracie Rosie girl!

Here is the birthday video for her third year.