Happy 3rd Birthday, Sweet Caroline!!

**Warning... this post has an excessive amount of photos of Caroline!!**

Why the long face?  She HATES her hair curly.   

 It didn't help that Emily laughed at her and said she looked funny.  Thanks Em.

But she's a doll, isn't she?

Yesterday was Caroline's 3rd birthday.  

No one has been more excited for this day than her older sister Emily.  Em is obsessed with birthdays.  She knows when all of our birthdays are as well those of several relatives.  It's often the first question she'll ask a kid when she meets him/her.  And she has been asking me how many more days until her birthday (on a daily basis mind you) since September. Her birthday isn't until April, Heaven help me!

Yesterday morning Em told C excitedly, "Caroline!  Today's your birthday!"  After which Caroline asked me very inquisitively, "Mom, is today my birthday?"   It was too cute.

We kept it pretty low key... since it was Saturday Ben was able to join in the festivities.  We went to the Wilhelma Zoo and Botanical Gardens, which is only a couple miles from where we live.

View of the city from the zoo, with a little help from the zoom

We made a cake, which the girls helped decorate.  We also got to talk to Grandma, Grandpa, and Uncle Steve on facetime, which was a special treat.  

C got some great gifts compliments of G&G and her Nana, but the most prized acquisition of the night was her Sleeping Beauty doll.  She has been asking for one for weeks.

Totally in love

She loved being sung to... 

 And blowing out the candles...

But when offered a bite of ice cream...

Denied!! 

She reacted the same way to the cake.  Not a single bite. 

 What is with my child?!  This is the third year she has turned down birthday cake, so you would think I'd learn.  

 On her 2nd b-day she balked at the offering of cake

And who can forget the infamous pictures from her 1st b-day? 

Her face says it all.

So what?  She'll never win an eating contest, but I love my CeeCee to death.  She is petite and loves to cuddle up in my arms.  I feel like I'm holding a little baby even though she's three.  She's got all sorts of spunk and personality and despite being small, she's a spry little one.  She climbs and runs like nothing else... she reminds us of a spider monkey. Her smile lights up her face and her dimples coupled with her high sweet voice are irresistible. Her imagination is endless.  She worships her older sister.  She adds so much to our family and we can't imagine life without her!!

 And thanks for indulging my gushing.