Santa Surprise

When the preschool Elf on the Shelf says a special guest is coming to town, you'd better watch out.

And probably skip the crying and pouting, just to be on the safe side.

Nora politely denied a chance to see Mall Santa this year. Even though she wants to tell him about her wish list and her reduction in sibling brawls, she'd rather not engage in such a public display of Christmas joy. That's why I was nervous when I heard the Big Guy himself was coming to Nora's school. Her teacher asked us to keep it a secret, so I did. Barely.

I dropped her off and, as most moms would, stalked Facebook for any sign of holiday merriment. When I was tagged in a photo and clicked to see the faces above, my heart soared! I counted the minutes to when I could hear Nora's side of the story {and crossed my fingers she’d remember what she told him}. She was super eager to tell me everything that happened, so I thought I'd share. Obviously, I was not there to prove this did or did not happen. So do with the following information what you will:

• Twinkle Toes, Elf on the Shelf in residence, was holding a letter when the kids arrived Thursday morning.
  
  
• Twinkle Toes is also getting ready to head back to the North Pole with his report. Nora thinks she's good to go, but she's worried about a few of her classmates.
  
  
• Nora told me the daycare's name was on the front of his envelope, so they knew it was official.
  
  
• In the letter, the elf said a surprise visitor was stopping by to see them. It was at this point that they all screamed "SANTA!" {"I know him!"}
  
  
• He did not have reindeer, he had a white car. Driven by elves, apparently.
  
  
• "Ho Ho Ho" was not how he greeted them, so he may have been a phony. His beard was fluffy, though, so he could have been the real deal.
  
  
• Nora told him she wanted a big, pink Hatchimal and a new bike. Both of these requests were news to me.
  
  
• The girl who went before her also wanted a big, pink Hatchimal, so he said he'll make two at the same time.
  
  
• No one but the baby cried on his lap, which is a huge deal in a class of three- and four-year-olds.
  
  
• He had a stocking full of candy canes and gave her one. Nora said she hopes he empties it quickly so he can fill it up with presents for himself.
  
  
• He was very sweet and cute and gave Nora a big hug. And he was strong enough to pick her up by himself.
  
  
• She already has plans to set up special ops to see him on Christmas.. just to make sure this guy was legit.
  
  

Were your kids willing to sit with Santa Claus this year?
And do you know where to find a Hatchimal other than the triple-priced listings on Amazon? {asking for a friend}
Happy Friday, y'all!

Preschoolers on Parade

Dressed as fun-sized cheerleader, my daughter took her place on a hay bale with a fistful of candy.

Her preschool teacher's first rule was "Don't eat all the candy before the parade starts!" but Nora didn't mind. She had a mission, and her mission was to wave and throw the candy as hard as possible. She was a bit worried when she realized being on a float in the homecoming parade meant actually riding on a trailer, but tensions eased when her friends filled in around her.

During a short break from posing and cheesing for moms holding cameras {yes, me}, Nora took note of all the decorations. She was thrilled to find her four favorite letters! "My name's on a bell, Mom!" I didn't explain the intricacies of a megaphone, but perhaps she'll figure it out one day. Once I realized there were enough moms on the float to keep the kids secure, I left with the boys to find the best spot.

{Not before asking Nora to stay put so we could park on her side. Obviously, she was going to throw us the good stuff.}

Owen and Nathan bobbed around in front of our courthouse parking spot, watching for the telltale police lights. We knew it was time when we could feel the bass drum's vibrations in the pavement. Both boys made sure to free up their pockets before taking their place street-side.

We positioned ourselves at the start of the parade route, so every cheerleader, football player, and crown-wearing queen was free with the candy. We racked up, basically. When Nora's class came by, I jumped up to loudly proclaim their cuteness. Maybe the boys said it was embarrassing, but that's the name of the game.

Once the five-minute parade passed by, we did our part to clean candy from the street and went to find the youngest member of our crew. When Nora unloaded, she regretted to inform us they ran out of candy before the parade ended. Luckily for her, we gave her a share of the stash covering my floorboards.

That's one round of hometown fun checked off our weekend list. Tonight we're going to sit under the Friday night lights at my own alma mater, and tomorrow bright and early we're pumpkin patch bound.

Weekend, here we come! Happy Friday, friends.

Adventures with Cupcake

{The day Nora discovered that Snapchat picks up doll faces was a good one.}
Everybody at preschool knows Nora's favorite baby doll by name.

When we walk through the door in the mornings, we're met with "Hey Nora! Hey Cupcake!" Nora just grins and cradles her doll closer, grasping for the strength to hold back her goodbye tears. At pickup time, I have found a crowd of preschoolers glued to a movie with none other than Cupcake sitting smack in the middle, just as captivated by the cartoon of the day. I'm surprised Cupcake doesn't have a cubby of her own yet.

With the help of her sweet-faced sidekick, Nora June's imagination has been going 90 to nothing lately. Just the other night, she was fixing my hair and with a syrup-thick Southern accent she was telling me about her children's amazing dance recital. In the middle of coloring my hair rainbow and pink, her phone rang. She looked at the plastic screen and let out one dramatic sigh. "It's my kid, I've gotta answer. I'm a mom too, you know." I knew, obviously, so I urged her to take the call. Her daughter, Cupcake Cake Strawberry Jeff Bauer, needed her home ASAP because she broke the microwave and her dad was busy at the fire station. That's life.

Sometimes Cupcake is a sassy teen, sometimes Cupcake is a newborn baby, but every time Cupcake is by her mother's side. I've watched them dodge killer sharks during a beach vacation. I've seen them help the patriarch of the family when the dance studio caught fire and he called for back up. I've even seen Nora work her weekend job as a nurse while she administered Cupcake's shots and fixed her broken hand... and arm... and leg... and other leg.

Although at this point you can only take Nora's wild tales with a grain of salt, it's fun to watch the wheels turn toward her next big plot twist. Whether she and Cupcake are famous pop stars ready to take the stage or a mild-mannered family enjoying dinner at the table, I happily accept my invitation into her world. The boys and I get front-row seats into the depths of my daughter's mind and you know we're always ready to pop that popcorn and settle in for the show.

Nora's imagination is a good sign she knows she can do anything.
I can't wait to be front row, center when I find out which of these dreams she turns into reality.
{You know... except that shark thing.}

Happy Thursday, y'all!

Watermelon Queen

Sweaty curls, a hunk of juicy melon, and an expression of pure bliss...

We're expecting a call from the Hope Watermelon Festival any day now, because y'all know this kid is front-of-the-brochure worthy.

This weekend we participated in one of my favorite hot weather activities. This year's festival was the 41st of its kind, and I'm pretty sure my mom has pint-sized shirts of mine that date way back to 1992. I've gone every year for a long time, and even though the sticky humidity makes it hard to stay longer than an hour, it's tradition.

While we {obviously} hit up the foot-long corn dog stand and spent a lot of hard-earned dollars on lemonade, the most memorable stop this year was the watermelon tent. For a mere two bucks, my mom bought a quarter of a giant melon and plopped it down in front of Nora. Before we could dole out the forks to dig into this tasty late-summer treat, my daughter went in face first.

The only regret I had in this moment was not being near my real camera. However, I was quick with my phone and I think it did a decent job of capturing the moment.

While you're toiling away at your job on this hot midweek afternoon, I want to share a few photos just to make you smile. I even have a soundtrack for you to click before reading further. No, she was not entered in any watermelon pageant this year {because let's face it, it would have been unfair}, but Nora was unofficially crowned watermelon queen. And yes, she let both me and Nathan share. Her highness does have royal manners, after all. This photo shoot was full of shock at the wonders of watermelon, feats of strength, and one happy kid... Festival volunteers, be sure to hit me up if you're ever looking for a melon model!

Happy Hump Day, y'all! Have you bitten into a world-famous Hope watermelon lately?

Nora's Moana Luau

I've been stirring at the edge of the water...

Okay, actually I've been staring at the edge of my kitchen, appreciating the beautiful Moana decorations from this weekend's party and also wishing they'd take themselves down. If you didn't gather from a couple of the answers on Nora's birthday interview, Moana is Nora's favorite. She can sing most of the songs word for word, and you should see her Maui eyebrow impersonation. Naturally, she knew just what to choose for her birthday party theme.

Nora invited family and friends to our house Saturday to celebrate luau-style. While I found zero Moana items at the party store, I cashed in on all things Hawaiian. I had a cart full of everything from palm tree toothpicks to a grass skirt perfect for our kitchen island. Honestly, I think they saw me coming. Bright colors washed the kitchen with accents of hot pink hibiscus flowers and ocean-colored tableware. I also bought this downloadable banner from Etsy and printed a few of the Moana characters to throw on the wall.

We stuck to the theme for our menu, too. The most... adventurous part was making the Heart of Te Fiti cookies. I stole the idea from this blog, though we didn't actually use the recipe. We did, however, follow the rolling methods. My mom and I held our breath as the knife sunk in the dough, and when we pulled the two sides apart we couldn't believe it... the Heart of Te Fiti! The cookies turned out so great that Nora {who cannot read the description card} knew what they were.

We also had a few standbys jazzed up with Moana names: Maui's meatballs, Hei Hei's Fresh Fruit, Fish + Chips, Moana's Boat Oars {pretzels}, and Tamatoa's Punch {Sprite and blue Hawaiian Punch and pineapple juice}. The snacks were a hit with the kids and you know I couldn't stay away from those meatballs. Nora also picked out the cake design after scanning through so many Google images. We ordered it from The Picket Fence in Hope and it turned out gorgeous:

No, Nora and company did not take a journey to find themselves, but they did make a splash! A small pool and slip-in-slide in the yard made for some easy entertainment and a great chance for the adults to sip punch and catch up in the shade. After cracking open the tiki piñata {that Owen would love for me to make sure you know he broke}, the party guests were sent home with leis and hopefully good memories of a fun party.

So far Age Four has been good to Nora. She spent the whole party interacting with her friends and enjoying her presents. She even got her first bike and didn't hesitate to take it for a spin. I can't wait to see what this year brings for our daughter, but I do think we kicked it off in style. Happy Tuesday!

Nora: Age 4

Although she swears she's still three until she blows out her candles, today is Nora's birthday!

Four years ago this tiny girl came into our lives and changed everything. She definitely proved to us that six years worth of parenting boys did not make us experts and continues to surprise us with new lessons. Nora's personality is as wild as her curls. We had no idea what we were getting into when the doctor handed us a sweet bundle with a bow on top.

I've loved watching the evolution of Nora for the four years she's graced us all with her presence. She proves she's no baby every day, whether it's fearlessly shooting down the big slide at the water park or attempting to write her name on everything. She marches headfirst into new experiences... just as long as a brother or parent is close behind. While she loves being fiercely independent {maybe even to a fault}, she's yet to turn down a snuggle. Nora encourages me to be braver and go for what I want.

Even though what I want and what she wants differs greatly half the time.

I am so proud of the kid Nora is becoming and the personality I see more and more every day. Today we will have a party themed around Moana, another of my favorite headstrong warriors, but for now, let's take a peek into Nora's mind. Here's what she had to say when I sat her down for a birthday interview...


Birthday Interview: 20 Questions

1. What is your favorite color?
   Pink and purple and blue.
   
   
2. What is your favorite toy?
   Blocks. I like to build castles and houses and stores and ummm.... villages.
   
   
3. What is your favorite TV show?
   Paw Patrol and Puppy Dog Pals because puppies are so cute. Ones that don't bite.
   
   
4. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch?
   Macaroni because it's so sweet. {???}
   
   
5. What is your favorite movie to watch?
   Moana.
   
   
6. What is your favorite game?
   I love that car game at Chuck E. Cheese where you have to play and drive.
   
   
7. What is your favorite animal?
   Cows. I think they're sweet.
   
   
8. What is your favorite song?
   Moana. Make way, make way...
   
   
9. Who is your best friend?
   Mama! She's so cute and fluffy and she calls me Jubbies.
   
   
10. What is your favorite thing to do outside?
    Play on the playground and play with Lou {FYI: Luna is now Louis after further investigation}.
    
    
11. What is your favorite drink?
    Sweet tea and apple juice and Capri Suns.
    
    
12. Where is your favorite place to go?
    Chuck E. Cheese because it's so fun and there's a train, too.
    
    
13. What do you want to be when you grow up?
    A job like Mrs. Keri {her day care teacher} because I like babies. But I won't listen to Mr. Gary.
    
    
14. What is your favorite thing to play with Nathan?
    When he lets me go in his Minecraft world and I don't break his houses.
    
    
15. What is your favorite thing about Owen?
    Silly stuff like wrestling and jumping.
    
    
16. What do you like to do with Mommy?
    Watch TV and snuggle together and hug.
    
    
17. What do you like to do with Daddy?
    I like when he swims with me and throws me.
    
    
18. What makes you laugh?
    When Owen does something silly like talk in a crazy voice all the time.
    
    
19. What's your favorite thing to do at day care?
    I like to play with Mrs. Keri. And I like when she tells me to eat lunch and I listen to her.
    
    
20. What is the best thing about your birthday?
    We are going to go swimming on a SLIP-N-SLIDE!
    
    

Curious how these answers compare with the ones Nora gave when she was just a three-year-old baby? Click here to find out! Have a lovely Saturday, friends.

The Crib: Part II

{The Crib: Part I was written when Owen had to make room for Nora. Times, they are a-changing.}
A few nights ago I was rocking in the puffy white chair in Nora's nursery.

The letters that spell her name hang right where I placed them four years ago, and she lay in the crib that's been part of our family for a decade. Her body has yet to outgrow its length, but she's getting there. She tossed around behind the tall white bars and I peered at her blue eyes until they finally closed for good.

Three different sets of eyes have watched me through those bars during the start of a thousand bedtimes. I've scrambled to reach over the side when one of my babies was sick or afraid. I have removed, and washed, and cursed the reapplication of crib sheets countless times. And I still don't quite know how to lower the front of it.

A few nights ago, as I was rocking and watching, I pulled out my phone to the one page that can ease my worried mind when questions paw at my brain. Google. I blinked rapidly while typing "When should child get out of a crib?" My crazy was quickly affirmed by Internet strangers.

People on various baby forums scoffed at toddlers who had yet to make the move. Nora has never attempted a crib escape. Nora's never even balked at the idea that she sleeps in one. She's always seemed pretty cozy, honestly. However, when I closed that screen, I texted Jonathan to ask if we could change Nora's crib into a toddler bed. My daughter will turn four a week from Saturday. She's enrolled in preschool, she takes piano lessons and she knows her right hand from her left. She can open Capri Suns by herself and unload the dishwasher like a champ. She is not a baby.

I told him I wasn't sad about her growing up and I'm not overly attached to an outdated piece of furniture, I'm just a bit anchored to this "baby stage" of parenting.

I've been here a while, you know.

We removed the front panel of the crib to turn it into the big girl bed Nora never knew she wanted. I set up her quilt and all of her stuffed animals to look like a cute daybed, and she was obsessed. She loves the freedom it brings, and as she looked at me sitting in that white rocking chair across from her, she smiled and said "I can see you now, Mom!"

She's only had a few nights of independence in her new setup, but she is sleeping all night and doing great. Perhaps we held out on this change too long, but everybody fared through it well. I really am enjoying this stage of parenting older kids {think of the fortune I'm saving without diapers and formula}, but it's always a little hard for me to close a book. Especially such a classic.

Now to try to sell the changing table... and the swing and the bounce seat and the highchair, etc. Any takers?

Good Morning Girl

There's a big world out there, and somebody's gotta play in it.

After the boys were off to school and work, I soaked in today's perfect spring morning. I don't go to the office on Fridays and I like to savor any slant of silence that comes my way. I ate breakfast, walked to the chicken coop, threw in a load of laundry, but mostly watched TV. It was a good time. Then at about 10:00 AM, Sleeping Beauty woke up and requested my presence. I brushed a nest of curls from her forehead and asked what she wanted to do today.

"I want to eat a muffin and play outside."

Easy enough. We baked and ate, then Nora tapped her pretend watch and proclaimed it time to go outside. From drawing chalk flowers and tomatoes and chickens to lying on the trampoline and watching the real hens chase each other, we made the most of our Friday mid-morning. {It also doesn't hurt that at about lunchtime she proclaimed it time for a juice box and iPad.}

She upped her swing push request from five to sixty and repeatedly assured me "five more" slides, but I treasure these easy days. I sang this tune with Nathan, then I wallowed in this tune with Baby Owen, and here we are on the homestretch with Nora June. In less than two months the boys will be out of school and our all-girl Fridays will be no more. In the fall Nora will start preschool {!!!} and move to a normal full-week schedule. She will love being in a new and exciting environment, and I will love real, live, unadulterated alone time, but I'll miss her.

I'll miss tuning my full focus to her sentences that run on and on. I'll miss watching her pedal face-first into a bush, then get up and dust herself off. I'll miss her sitting beneath the giant Japanese maple, telling me she feels so small.

As usual, the summer will bring with it a much louder and busier house, but the fall will bring a level of quiet I haven't heard in a decade. Maybe it won't be so bad...

Happy Friday, y'all. The weather is gorgeous, go see for yourself!

Because of Nora

I had been hard at the parenting game for six years by the time Nora June came into the world.

At that point, I might have even said I was becoming a bit of an expert. Heck, I had already given birth twice and managed to raise both of those children in a semi-decent manner. Everyone was fed, {mostly} happy, safe and sound. What more was there to learn? In the three and half years that followed since that pivotal July Monday, I found the answer: a LOT. While there is still much to learn when it comes to helping kids move from microscopic cell bundles to card-carrying adults, today I am sharing a few pieces of knowledge that I hold because of my daughter. There's a good chance this is part one in a three-part series, so stay tuned.

Because of Nora, I know...

• Every single word to every single song in Moana. Yes, I know it's not even out on DVD yet.
  
• Exactly how much sweet tea it takes to fill a three-year-old to capacity.
  
• The names of the characters on a mind-numbing YouTube cartoon called Oddbods.
  
• The subtle differences among all the shades of pink.
  
• That bows without fabric over the metal clip better.
• That curly hair should be wet and brushed before washing and exactly what speed SLOOOW brushing is.
  
• That the best lunch at day care is a sandwich that not only has meat and bread, but also cheese!
  
• That I could carry a 50-pound sack of potatoes up my long driveway if the situation were to arise.
  
• That a pair of pink Crocs and a pair of sparkly pink Crocs are equally necessary.
  
• On that note: that sparkly is a color.
  
• That Paw Patrol is on for a three-hour block each weekday morning, then repeats again on the western Nick Jr.
  
• That early-morning snuggles with a willing participant are the best kind.
  
• That Sleeping Beauty's name is Aurora.
  
• That stepping on a Shopkin hurts the same as stepping on a Lego.
  

Happy Tuesday, my friends. Be good to each other and watch out for those Shopkins!

She is More

She's not just the fluff of blonde curls slicing through the breeze on the front yard swing.

She's not just the comic relief when she hits her punch line just right. She's not just the stubborn mule who'd rather stand on the back porch from dusk to dawn than take her boots off outside. She's not just a pair of twinkly blue eyes that wash away the aforementioned scenario.

She's not just a round face, short fingers, and a high-voltage smile. She's not just an Instagram filler, a patience-tester, a snack-stealer, or a three-nager.

She is more.

She is Nora, hear her roar. Of course, if you've met her in person, then you probably already have. I'll admit "three-nager" isn't my favorite made-up compound word, but it is solid fact. In my parental expertise, I can assure you that terrible twos is simply a warning of what's to come. We are deep in those trenches parents love to discuss and *ahem* I have a habit of using as writing prompts. Seasons come and go {and some we'd like to kick on the way out}, but I have to remember these "trenches" feature some remarkable people.

While Nora is known by my Facebook friends for her adorable photos and witty quips, I feel drawn to flesh her out a little more. My daughter is cute, but she is mighty.

She is loyal. Nora will stand up for anyone without condition. If Nathan or Owen are in trouble, she's the first to plead their innocence and ask us to lower our voices. She's usually right about the second part, but not always the first.

She is understanding. She will say she's sorry and mean it, even if it takes hours. If either brother gets hurt, she will hit the ground running. By the time I get there, she already has her small arms wrapped around him. She can sense when I'm down and is quick to remind me she loves me, too.

She is independent. I'd rather not go into detail, but because Nora decided to take care of business herself last weekend, this bunch is no longer a slave to Pampers. Do not ask for tips. My past experiences prove I am no potty training aficionado. This was all her.

If Nora wants to read a book, she gets one. If she wants a juice box, she grabs it. If she wants to watch a movie, she turns it on. If she wants to stand outside in the snow with no pants... well, you know that story. She's not afraid to get what she wants and won't bat an eye at the obstacles.

She is brave. Nora marches into a dark room fearlessly and drifts off to dream after her nightly zombie check. She laughs as she careens around the yard on a too-big tricycle and chases chickens as fast as she can.

In the past I have written about who I want Nora to be, and how Nora looks up to me, but today the message is different: I want to be like Nora. I want to be free and wild and unruly and courageous. I want to laugh in the face of the enemy and walk straight into the storm. I want my love to be stronger than my grudges and my willingness to help greater than my urge to turn away.

Not unlike her brothers, Nora June is one fantastic human being.
I marvel at who she is and I am in awe of who she is becoming.

Be Nice

"Say you're sorry for yelling at me, Mom. No, say it nicely this time."

Through gritted teeth and at the sake of both mine and my loving three-year-old's sanity, I apologize once again while we wait parked in the car line. There's nowhere to run. There's nowhere to hide. Who knows what brought my sweet, motherly demeanor to its breaking point. It could have been picking up a Paw Patrol book she dropped for the 19th time, saying her hair looks pretty instead of curly, or even opening her Capri Sun before her goldfish.

Whatever it was, I didn't do it right.

And when I do something incorrectly a certain number of times in a row, I tend to lose my cool with my sweet daughter. Arguments at any time, in any place can reach fever pitch with this little lady {don't warn me about the teenage years - I already know}, but she's the one who always reminds us to play fair.

Often my sickeningly-sweet pseudo-niceness that comes after she demands I "be nice" doesn't work for her. She sees right through it and will command me to "be nice" over and over again. Sometimes I get high and mighty and start the diatribe of "I am 32 years old. I am the parent. I don't have to do what a three-year-old says." But then it hits me that all she's wanting me to do is be nice.

The arguments we get into are ridiculous, and many of the demands requests my darling daughter makes are the same. However, I think I owe it to her to be nice. It doesn't hurt, it's 100% free, and Lord knows it saves the whole bunch when I can be like Elsa and let it go. If you have never been witness to the parenting of a three-year-old, know this: you can't always win. Why not just be nice?

I'm not going to get on this little mom blog and spew my political stances with an agenda of changing the minds of those who disagree. I am well aware this is the Internet and it doesn't work that way. However, I will make one single announcement this election season: Listen to Nora. Be nice.

There are going to be so many people shouting vile things from behind keyboards in the days to come, but I urge us all to just be nice. No matter how irritating the argument may get {I swear if I have to pick that book up one more time...}, be nice. If you can't, disengage. That's how I am trying to navigate life with a mule-headed toddler.

Funny how the same ideas apply so equally to politics...

Have a Happy Monday, y'all!

Nora-isms

If you ask Nora, she would say there's been a severe lack of curls in this space lately.

The start of school for Nathan and Owen has thrown a new routine onto the whole family, and she's starting to feel it. Nora doesn't mind waking up earlier to brave the car line {as long as I play music at the correct volume and hand her a cereal bar from the right, not the left}. She loves finding Owen on the kindergarten bench and she appreciates the after-school snacks. However, the shift of attention has my drama queen miffed.

With Owen and Nora being close in age, I've always lumped them together as the little ones, but that changed Monday. Now we have two students and their kid sister. Because we're only a few days into the school year, I have yet to curb my 3:00 enthusiasm. I immediately ask for details, and they are excited to share. Until they're interrupted...

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Let's not talk about days. We are TOO TIRED to talk about days, OKAY?"

That's a direct quote from Tuesday afternoon and a hint at who's running the show. Nora's crazy mess of hair comes with a personality to match, and being quiet while her brothers talk isn't on the agenda. However annoying that may be {and it is super annoying}, I keep reminding myself that I'll print three back-to-school signs next year.

I want to embrace her now, attitude and all. I want to remember the three-year-old sayings that get us all giggling. I may have August 2031 circled somewhere as the date of ultimate freedom, but I can't miss what's in front of me today. Here's a sampling of Nora-isms for you to enjoy on this drizzly Thursday morning.

1. Nuggles: One day she'll stop asking to be covered in nuggles and we'll all be in mourning. Nuggles aren't just any blanket. This word only applies to the thickest, coziest blanket she can drag to her spot on the couch. And if it's not tucked up to her chin, it's not right.
   
   
2. Women: For some reason the S and W sounds don't play together well for Nora. So when she says she wants to go women in the women pool, please note she just wants to make a splash.
   
   
3. Weet: For reasons stated above, anything that involves "sweet" is hilarious. She'll tell me I'm a weetie pie, then quote one of her favorite Zootopia lines {"It's called a hustle, weet heart"}. My favorite use of this word, however, comes from Nora's favorite commercial. Thanks, Lil Sweet, for providing daily entertainment.
   
   
4. Mac and Roni: Two different words, two completely different food items. Don't get it wrong.
   
   
5. Fluffy: Every animal, no matter the species, color, and oddly enough fur consistency, is named Fluffy. I assume we'll have a chicken named Fluffy one day. When she asks me to locate Fluffy in the car, sorting through the menagerie gets complicated. Nathan recently compared her to Agnes in Despicable Me. Yep.

Have a lovely day, y'all. If you happen to see Nora, be sure to say I posted about her.

Minnie Party

From my living room couch, I have a clear view of a kitchen splashed in a sea of pink.

Streamers cross the ceilings, balloons float on the floor, and Minnie is staring at me from where my not-so-pink decorations used to be. We're in summer birthday hangover mode, so forgive me if I seem a bit drained this week. Every time I step into my still-pink kitchen, though, I am reminded of the fun that sweet girl had. Today I'm sharing some highlights from one bow-eautiful party.

Told you I was drained.

You can probably guess Nora chose Minnie Mouse for her third birthday party theme. This came with a lot of pink and polka dots. For both the birthday girl and her mama, the food was the best part. With the help of multiple viewings of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse {and Pinterest}, we threw together a great spread. We used Nora's favorite foods, hot dogs and Cheetos, and labeled them Hot Diggity Dogs and Pluto's Puffs. We also served a quick-and-easy cold pasta salad with veggies and Italian dressing to play into the bow theme. We added Donald's Cheese and Quackers because it was funny.

The stars of the show were created by Aunt B, known the world over for her Minion skills. She turned ordinary Oreos of various sizes into Minnie Mouses, complete with pink skirts. They were adorable, and they were the first treats to vanish.

Although Nora loved her party snacks, she had been counting the minutes until her Minnie cake arrived. She turned three on Friday and the party was Saturday, but she swore she was two until the candles were extinguished. It took her a few tries, but that girl got it!

As it turns out, Nora is one efficient present opener. She held out a hand, pulled out her gift, squealed, and handed it to her Daddy while the next one was placed in front of her. Nora, age 3, racked up quite a Shopkins collection this weekend. I still don't know what they are other than a match for Legos on the barefoot pain scale, but it brought her such joy. She got a tiny plastic lawn mower, for crying out loud. Someone please explain this to me.

After the living room was strewn in pink tissue paper, Nora led her friends outside for some swinging, sliding, and piñata opening. We bought a less-violent version of Minnie, but it was still fun even if we didn't get to smash it. Everyone pulled a string, and everyone dove in.

Once the birthday girl said goodbye to her guests, Nora asked me to fill her new Frozen watering can. She guided me to the garden and watered her favorite plants {and a few patches of grass between the rows}. From a tiny growing cucumber to a towering sunflower, she picked the best and proudly poured. It was a wonderful close to the day and our peaceful backyard refuge was enough to ease the party-planning crazy.

Thanks to all the friends and family who joined us to celebrate the Big Three with Nora June. A special thanks goes to Jonathan's parents {you may know them as Grammy and Poppy} for surprising us! They didn't think they would be able to make it down due to Poppy's battle with ALS, but I know the smile that spread across Nora's face when she saw him wheel in was worth it. Thanks so much for making her day and helping us make this party a success. We love you!

Happy Hump Day, y'all.

Nora: Age 3

My little girl with the not-so-little curls is three years old today.

From the side-eyes to the knock-knock jokes to the constant kiss requests, you never know what to expect with Nora. She's a ball of laughs, as long as you stay on her good side. She has an order to everything and will make sure {no matter who you think you are}, that you don't step out of line. She's one of those kids I'm always reminding that I am the grownup, and then end up walking around the kitchen bar clockwise instead of counter-clockwise just to get her off my case. She'll also demand I only respond with "nice words."

Despite the approach of the terrifying threes, Nora is one of my favorite people. She still loves to hold my hand and she makes me laugh regularly. She loves all things pink, all things cute, and all things baby. She also loves to play catch, do ballet, and walk in the garden {as long as you clean her feet}. Her crazy blonde curls match her personality perfectly and that sweet smile could melt any heart. I could tell you all the little things that make Nora June who she is, but I thought I'd let her try this year:


Birthday Interview: 20 Questions

1. What is your favorite color?
   Pink.
   
   
2. What is your favorite toy?
   Minnie Mouse. And my little baby Cowy.
   
   
3. What is your favorite TV show?
   Minnie Mouse and whenever we watch Mickey Mouse on TV she is always there doing something.
   
   
4. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch?
   PIZZA PIZZA. And I wish I had pink macaroni and cheese, too.
   
   
5. What is your favorite movie to watch?
   Frozen.
   
   
6. What is your favorite game?
   I want to play hide and seek. I will hide under the table now, you find me.
   
   
7. What is your favorite animal?
   Dinosaur, because they're nice and not scary.
   
   
8. What is your favorite song?
   Welcome to My House. And Meeska Mooska.
   
   
9. Who is your best friend?
   I love Avie and Jaycee and Jenna and Hadley and my baby sister.
   {Side Note: She does NOT have a baby sister, she just claims one at day care.}
   
   
10. What is your favorite thing to do outside?
    Look at the garden and find a little tomato.
    
    
11. What is your favorite drink?
    Capri Suns. I like Nora tea, NOT mama tea.
    
    
12. Where is your favorite place to go?
    Nana's house because I play games and go swimming.
    
    
13. What do you want to be when you grow up?
    A ballerina.
    
    
14. What is your favorite thing to play with Nathan?
    Legos and McDonald's. And we just play picnic in my room.
    
    
15. What is your favorite thing about Owen?
    No way, I don't like him. Okay, fine. I like him when he likes me. I like when he says something to me.
    
    
16. What do you like to do with Mommy?
    Play dance moves in the living room.
    
    
17. What do you like to do with Daddy?
    Sit on the couch and snuggle.
    
    
18. What makes you laugh?
    My funny face, but not my scary face.
    
    
19. What's your favorite thing to do at day care?
    I like to watch some TV and play toys. I love to eat fish sticks and bread with meat and cheese. MEAT AND CHEESE.
    
    
20. What is the best thing about your birthday?
    I want a present and pink balloons at my birthday.
    
    

Nora Today

My little Nora is a creature of habit.

Each day when the sun is peeking through the eastern treeline, I carefully open Nora's bedroom door. With a freshly popped waffle in hand, my first step is to open her blinds and let the light find mounds of toys and discarded dresses. I peer into the crib that holds four fake babies and one real one. When the smile spreads across her face and her blanket covers the rest of it, I know it's showtime.

"Is there a little princess in here??" I ask. "I could have sworn I left a princess in this bed last night. Penguin, where did she go? Naked Baby, have you seen her?!"

I've had years of practice so I lay it on thick until Nora jumps out of hiding. Then it's clean diaper, breakfast, and a big morning kiss. If you know my daughter, you'll know she doesn't settle for any peck on the cheek.

I've only been the mother of a daughter for a couple of years now, but we are finding a groove. Lord knows I'm in for hairpin turns and drops that will leave us hanging on for dear life, but I really like where we are now. Knowing that can change in a moment's notice, I thought I'd document Nora today.

Sure, there are hourlong crying spells and arguments where neither hardheaded girl will back down, but when she grabs my hand on the couch and asks if I know who her best friend is, my heart has a way of melting. She likes to put on her shoes by herself, but asks me to help with her bow. She'll stand in front of the living room TV belting out a 24-letter version of the alphabet with her eyes fixed on my hands, waiting for applause. She asks what's wrong if I'm upset. She kisses me when I least expect it. She lives in pajamas, craves puffy Cheetos, and is obsessed with the color pink. She fawns over the tiny pea and strawberry plants in her garden and leads me to check on them daily. She sees things in me I don't see in myself. We continue to complement each other in new ways.

I have written about what I want for Nora in the future, but Nora right now has it together. The superhero stage is quick, though, and I remind myself often not to miss it. Unless fate has something else in mind, Nora's boo-boos will be the last ones I can kiss away. Two will soon be three and three jumps to eight. I have to keep my eyes open.

---

When the day is done and the sun slips behind the oaks and pines that lie to the west, Nora notices. "The sun is gone!" she'll announce and begin to bribe us for more time. Eventually she zeroes in for a right-on-the-lips kiss. She'll hold our heads in her small hands and kiss us like she means it. She does. Once she's tucked from neck to toe, she shouts goodnight to all four of us and awaits reply. Satisfied and safe, she curls up and drifts away.

Nora brings so much to my day from the moment those blue eyes first blink into the sunlight. She's growing up, and I want to see all I can.