Easter and Strawberry Shortcake

 Happy Easter! Notice the shoes? This is the only picture I got of Maren in her Easter dress. She refused to wear the white sandals I got her for the dress, and wore her new Light Up Twinkle Sketchers from Grandma and Grandpa instead!

 Maren spent the better portion of an hour (?) swinging with Grandpa while she waited for her cousins to arrive. We decided to have a Strawberry Shortcake Easter and Birthday celebration since her birthday was so close this year.

 Easter isn't complete without a couple hundred eggs to hunt wth your cousins! Be sure to shake each egg before putting it in your bucket - you don't want a dud.

 Aunt Alisa impressed again with her pizza-sized birthday cake, strawberry cupcakes, and strawberry shaped cookies! We are so grateful for her willingness and talent. She and her husband stated "this was a simple one."

 Maren LOVED it.

Happy Birthday, Maren!

Turning THREE

Sweet little Maren turned 3 last week!

 She finally got to make the monster cupcakes she had been eyeing in a cupcake recipe book. This is Maren "helping."

The monster eyes weren't quite done before bed, but I took her picture with them anyway.  

The finished monsters - of course there were pink ones for girls and blue ones for boys... 

 On her birthday, Maren visited the science museum and made a mudpie earth for Earth Day. Then she visited a friend who had a new baby sister too so she could practice for her own baby sister.

 She finally got to open presents after dinner - with Izzy's help of course.

Since we were tired of cupcakes, Maren celebrated her actual birthday with an ice cream sandwich!

We can't believe Maren is three years old. Time goes quickly, but everyone always tells you that. Maren started a new daycare this week at a center and has impressed me with her ability to adapt. She loves school and is in such a good mood when I pick her up. That helps the mommy guilt a little. :) On to another year!

Hunting

This week...

Maren fell asleep on the couch after dinner....(this never happens!) 

I looked like this at 30 weeks and 3 days. 

 Maren got super silly excited to go on an easter egg hunt.

Before she started, I asked what color eggs she was going to get. She told me "PINK and Purple!" At the "intermission" when all kids had 10 eggs, her bucket showed that she had ONLY picked up the pink eggs. They are "girl" eggs, you know.

We are excited for this week as Maren turns three. I can hardly believe it.