Birthday Festivities

Chess woke up feeling good and getting birthday greetings from me and Lera. When we got downstairs, she saw all the decorations and gasped. I asked her what they were for and she said, "My birthday!"



When I asked Chess awhile ago what she wanted to eat on her birthday, she said, "Chocolate." I said we could have a chocolate cake, and what kind of food did she want to eat? She replied, "Chocolate food." She takes after her momma on that. We ate waffles with whipped cream and chocolate chips as a compromise.



We went to the library and park, two of Chess's favorite places. After lunch we played outside with the new water table, which both girls LOVED.



Chess "helped" me frost her chocolate cake.



When Jared got home we had homemade pizza, a favorite for everyone, and chocolate cake with white icing.






She's got that "cheese" face down pat.


If you'll notice, Lera has frosting on her mouth. That's because as soon as I got the cake on the table, she leaned forward and took a bite out of it.

Then Chess opened her present, a Melissa and Doug wooden house with keys, locks, doorbells, and little people to go inside. Chess saw it awhile back and wanted it, so I went back and got it for her.



We had a great day celebrating our three-year-old. We love you, Chess!

Wordless Wednesday

The Accident

From here on out, don't be surprised when you see this face:



My poor little Lera had an accident the other day. We went to the fountain to let the girls run and play and have fun. They did have a great time for about 15 minutes. That is when Lera fell on her face and slid a few inches on her nose. She lost some chunks of skin, so it took awhile for it to stop bleeding. I scooped her up and tried to apply pressure, but you can probably guess how that went. She was more upset about not being able to get back in the water than about being hurt.

It is healing slowly, and we are trying not to touch it much. Just don't be alarmed when you see it in all Chess's birthday pictures, AND Easter pictures to come. We will never forget this well-documented accident, for sure.

I Love to See the Temple

The Atlanta temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has been closed for almost two years, and will soon be rededicated. The past few weeks it has been open for tours. As soon as it is dedicated, it will only be open to members of the church with recommends. I love going to the temple and it was such a blessing to be able to take our girls there, as well.










She found a little caterpillar.


On the beautifully manicured temple lawn.

Interesting...

This is what Chess did one day during her "rest" time. She took out EVERY piece of clothing hanging in her closet in placed them about the room. At least she kept most of them on the hanger and helped me put them back. She's a sweet little stinker.

At the Car Wash

Three Years

I have been a mother for three years now. I am so thankful for the little person who came into this world on a spring day and changed my life forever. She has gone from a chubby, happy baby, to an energetic, driven girl.


(Chess, one day old, with her swollen and bruised face from delivery - she was 10 and half pounds!)

I plan on doing a three-year-old interview with her soon, but until then her are some pictures, along with some random facts about my Chess.


(4.5 months old)

She loves learning about letters and their sounds, and knows all of them. She is constantly identifying letters and sounds and has even taught Lera what the A and B say.


(9 months old, struggling to get up on those chubby legs)

She loves fruit and has become very self-sufficient in eating it by herself. She will get an apple, wash, dry, and eat it on her own, and has become a pro at peeling and eating clementines, as well.


(1 year old)

She likes to fall asleep with her light on, but she'll often have a book or blanket over her face to block the light.


(18 months old, she became a big sister)

She loves her sister and sometimes calls her, "My Lera." For example, the other day at the park, a little girl said something to Lera and Chess turned to me and said, "She's talking to MY Lera," matter-of-factly.


(2 years old)

She is shy with any adults when when we first come into a new place. It takes her awhile to warm up, but then she will talk your ear off if you let her.


(2.5 years old)

She is super social with other kids. At the playground she goes up to kids and plays with them. The bigger kids she just follows around. We are working on her introducing herself and asking to play.


(3 years old)

Chess, you are such a joy in my life. I'm so glad you made me a mother. I love you more than you know.
Momma

Wordless Wednesday

Zoo Atlanta

We were able to go to the zoo with a few friends the other day and we had a great time. It couldn't have been a more beautiful day. Chess and Lera both loved seeing all the animals. It was a little difficult maneuvering my mammoth double stroller through the crowds, but it was worth it.

I know zoo pictures can be a little boring to people who were not actually there at the time, so I only posted pictures with the girls in them. I'm sure you've all seen pictures of orangutans, pink flamingos, and the like.


Lera was in awe in the aviary. There were dozens of parakeets flying all around.


Giraffes in the background.


Chess says giraffes are one of her favorite animals.


My sweet, sweet girl.


The sign says "Do not climb on the statue," but EVERY kid was doing it, of course.


Elephant behind us.


The girls with one of their friends - by the tigers.


Okay, now this is probably the cutest thing I have ever seen in real life. Only four zoos in the country have pandas, and this is one of them. The little guy is only five months old! He was climbing and playing on this tree. He was SO adorable. I could have watched him all day.


I love the way this goat looks like it's smiling with Chess for the picture. She was bringing all the goats hay that were lying down.


We parked on the street and there were all these beautiful steps leading up to the houses. It was such a pretty area of Atlanta.


The girls had a juice box and relaxed before we got in the car.


What good would a fun, busy day be without falling asleep in the car? Actually, Lera was so exhausted that she screamed for 10 minutes straight before finally conking out. Chess, who never naps anymore, only slept for about 25 minutes.

It was definitely a good day.

Recently

I love how Lera sniffs the flowers.


Lera had some ink done, courtesy of Chess.






This one makes me smile so big.








Chess with her cousin, Jimmy.





Life has been good. We are so blessed.