Layla celebrated her third birthday this past Sunday. Turning three seems like such a huge milestone to me. A two-year-old is still a "baby" in my eyes, but a three-year-old is a genuine "big kid!" I can't believe how quickly these three years have passed by, yet I cannot remember life BL (Before Layla).
Layla woke up on Sunday to a special breakfast, prepared by Daddy. Pancakes and strawberries - yum! Then she went downstairs where Mommy set up a crepe paper maze to her gifts and pinata. She was excited to receive a pirate mug and alphabet puzzle, but her favorite present was her basketball hoop.
Later, Aunt Nadia stopped by for a quick visit and surprised Layla with balloons, makeup and new plastic food for her kitchen! Ammy, Mimi and Poppy gave Layla a chef costume and cooking utensils as an early birthday gift, so I'm sure she will be doing a lot of cooking with her new stuff!
In the afternoon, we went to the Orange Avenue Pool where Layla enjoyed swimming with her cousins, uncles and Aunt Nadia, and eating a delicious pizza dinner from Tony's Pizzeria. What a fun birthday!
Here are some other highlights of the past month:
- Layla was given a clean bill of health at her three-year-old well visit. She weighs a whopping 27 lbs and is 35 3/4 inches tall! We dropped off her medical forms to Layla's preschool and are now counting down the days to her first day of school. She also told her doctor that when she grows up she wants to be a bumblebee (hehe).
- In preparation for school, Layla and I have been familiarizing ourselves with the days of the week, weather wheel and the calendar. Her biggest challenge is remaining attentive during this morning routine, but she sure enjoys using the dry erase crayons!
- Layla is still working on using "breakfast", "lunch", "dinner" and "tomorrow" and "yesterday" correctly.
- She can write every letter in her name, although she often writes them from right to left.
- Layla's favorite activity this month is any type of arts and crafts. We made our own finger paints, which has kept us busy during Dylan's morning nap, our usual "messy activity" time. She has also participated in arts and crafts time at the Orange Avenue Pool.
- Layla has mastered jumping forward and backward with both feet together.
- Cousin Christian taught Layla how to rap, which she does frequently and with enthusiasm, much to her audience's pleasure. For some reason, most of her raps begin, "I've got a belly..."
- Layla had fun swimming in Christian's kiddie pool one hot afternoon.
- Mommy set up a backyard Olympics one morning when cousins James and Jordan came over. Layla and the boys completed the long jump, several races and an obstacle course and were awarded with hot dogs and lollipops.
- We had a very fun playdate and lunchdate with friends Erin, Gus and Calina at their lovely home.
Funny Layla Quotes:
"I peed on the ground like an animal." - (She will kill me one day for sharing this!)
(while flexing) "My elbows are strong enough!"
"Mommy, I need some peace and quiet."
"Does an octopus have hair?"
"Mom, your soda is blowing bubbles!"
"Mommy picking flowers"
National Night Out in Cranford, NJ
Playing with Daddy
We love you, Layla Rosie!
