"You say it's your birthday" (SuchGreatJoy blog, birthday edition)

Two of my very favorite people have their birthdays in the span of about 2 weeks. Lily turned the big 3 this May, and we celebrated with a Sleeping Beauty party! Our little Brier Rose had a blast with her friends and family, even with a little mid-day shower that brought the party inside.

Once again our gift to Lily was a bouncy castle, one of her most favorite things in the whole world.

Her cake, by request, was Sleeping Beauty.

Blowing out the candles and making a wish!

Our family of 3- plus a bun in the oven.

Inside for crafts and Princess sing-along.

The birthday door!

All the kids were invited to wear a princess dress or costume.

That afternoon the sun came out and Lily had a BLAST with the neighbors into the evening. We had a BBQ and enjoyed a full day of jumpy fun!

Lily and Anna

Matthew, Ryan, Anna and Lily

Dancing all around!

Passed out on the couch after a long day.

Lily and Siri

On Lily's actual birthday we celebrated at another party with a jumpy!

How lucky is this girl?

On the night of Lily's real birthday we celebrated with one more cake- of Lily's current passion, Veggie Tales. She is in love with Larry the Cucumber.

Great grandpa and great grandma Mitchell were there to celebrate too!




Lily and Sam came and visited the Como Zoo while I was there on a fieldtrip with my 7th graders. They get to hang out a lot in the summer!

Lily also has a new passion for water colors.

Best buddies!

Kathe watched Lily while we went out for Bjorn's birthday, and when she got a little too rowdy Kathe had her "kennel up."

For Bjorn's birthday we celebrated with family and friends at the Cheesecake Factory, walked around the mall and saw a movie. Fun date night!

We also celebrated and Mom and Dad's with cake and presents- at this rate, Lily is expecting every gathering to end with candles.

Bjorn got a weed whip! Watch out weeds...

On a rainy day we went bowling with some friends at the local lanes.

Lily has a wicked curve.

All the girls watching for technique.

Bjorn's got the form down and bowled a solid 210.

In closing, I will share an incredible life skill Bjorn has passed on to our daughter:

she can lick an Oreo clean without breaking the cookie. She doesn't like to dip them in milk yet.

We couldn't be more proud of this 3 year old!