If there were ever any doubt

This morning I was getting cleaned up in my bathroom when Hannah came in to join me for a "Bad Blood" dance party.  After busting out a few dance moves, she proceeded to share some of her thoughts...

"Mommy, you're special because you took care of me when I was a little baby.  Daddy's special because he's my favorite in the whole wide world.  Jack's special because he's my big brother, and I'm special because I ate watermelon when I was in your belly."

"What makes me special?" I asked again, just to clarify.

"You took care of me when I was a baby."

"What is it that makes Daddy special?" I asked.

"Daddy's my favorite in the whole wide world."

Oh, okay, Baby Girl.  Just checking.

Pool Party

Yesterday, we had Hannah's pool party to celebrate her birthday.  This year was the first year she's had a party with some of her friends, and she was so excited.  We had to make a paper-chain to count down the days to her actual birthday and also to her pool party - she was having a hard time wrapping her head around the birthday celebration schedule :)

Anyway, Sunday was the day.  My sister and I got to the pool early to reserve our birthday spot and to set up prior to the birthday girl's arrival.  Brad got there with the kids a few minutes before Hannah's friends were scheduled to arrive, and she was so pleased to see so many balloons all set up for her.

It was a beautiful day (thank goodness, because I'm not sure what I would have done if we'd had to host at our house), and everyone seemed like they had a great time celebrating Hannah and enjoying some fun in the sun.

Hannah and her friends from school

I love that when I asked these two to get close for a picture, this is as comfortable as they could get!

This little man loved the water so much that he skipped most of pizza time and didn't even stick around for a cupcake.  And he eats more than anyone I know!

Dylan and Uncle John

Aunt Jess and our little lovelies

  Pizza time

Before Dylan left the table :)

Birthday wishes

Cupcake faces with her besties

I'm blaming this blur on the heat!

Girls in orange goggles

Birthday Girl and Brother

It was a fun time all-around, and we're hoping that we can organize a pool party every year for at least one of our little lovelies!

Silent Sunday

Hope you had a fun pool party, Baby Girl!

One of the best.

Yesterday was such a good day.

Hannah came in bright and early to announce that it was her birthday - she was so excited.  After she told me, she rushed into the bathroom where Brad was taking a shower and told him she was four.

Then she chattered on about how she would be 4 tall on our measuring stick and how she could run faster.  Since she turned four.  And it was her birthday.

It was the cutest.  Normally, people ask you if you feel different on your birthday, and you never really do.  But Hannah?  Hannah was definitely feeling different, from the moment that she woke up.

We got up and made blueberry muffins for breakfast and cupcakes for her pizza party.

Then we ran some errands and picked up her birthday balloons.  We snuggled and took birthday selfies.

We spent the afternoon at the pool and Hannah perfected her "canyonballs".

And then we came home and got ready for a family celebration.  I set up a little birthday table, we ordered some pizza and salad, and we just relaxed and enjoyed ourselves.

{Yes, we had a Ninja Turtle themed party :)}

{She couldn't wait to wear her birthday badge!}

Both families came over and it just seemed like everyone had such a lovely time.  We watched Hannah open presents, and then sang Happy Birthday twice...once with a sparkler and once so Hannah could blow out a birthday candle, ever so important.

{Jack gave some of his Pokemon cards to Hannah and wrapped them all by himself.}

{Such balance!}

As the evening was winding down, we headed outside to play with one of Hannah's presents.  We bought her (and Jack, too) a light-up bow and arrow that we had seen while we were at the beach.  Everyone had so much fun shooting the arrows and chasing them down.  We even held a few contests, and I'm pretty sure both of my brother-in-laws ordered a set of their own after they left :)

Hannah was a sleepy peanut by the end of the night, but I know she had such a fun, happy day.

I will say that all of that fun, late-night excitement made for two grumpy, sleepy kiddos today.  It was a little rough, but we made sure to get them to bed at a decent time tonight so that everyone will be well-rested for Hannah's pool party tomorrow.

And then, just like that, you're four.

Sweet Hannah Bear,

I can't believe it's been four years since the day you were born, but here we are.

Somewhere along the way, I blinked,  and you grew from a tiny, little baby, into a lovely, little girl.

(Thanks, Aunt Jess for this lovely collage)

I can't believe how quickly time is passing us by, and some days I wish I could stop the clock.  But mostly, I just loving watching you grow.

You are brave.  You try new things, and mostly are willing to face your fears.  Unless there are bugs in the pool - that is just too much for you.

You are smart.  You pay close attention to new things you are learning and you love to share your new knowledge with us.  You already know most of your letters and sounds, and you love to write.

You are beautiful.  You have big, blue eyes and the curliest, wildest hair I've ever seen.  And I love it.  I don't know what to do with it just yet, but I love it just the same.

You are kind.  You help clean up, you protect your family and friends, and for a baby that didn't like to be snuggled, you are an amazingly good snuggler now.

We love you so very much, Baby Girl.

Happy Birthday.