The birthday festivities begin

While RP's birthday is not until Friday, the celebration of her turning three started in earnest today. While at pre-school today there was a classroom birthday party in her honor, and she was THRILLED! The class played games and got to decorate their own cupcakes (always a hit with the toddler set!) and RP's teacher even bought her the cutest little art set as a present.

I can't believe my baby is going to be three years old this week. Where has the time gone? I still remember planning her birthday last year, which also coincided with her baptism. Even her teacher today commented that she couldn't believe how much RP had grown and changed over the last year, and it's somewhat sad that soon RP will be leaving her classroom to join the 3-4 year olds in the pre-school room.

Tomorrow RP is spending the day with Nana and Papa so I can get the house cleaned and organized for her party on Saturday. I finished her cake today, and while it isn't my best work, it didn't turn out altogether heinous (although Minnie turned out more orange than "flesh-colored - looks like she spent too much time in a tanning bed with the cast of 'Jersey Shore!'), so it will have to do for Saturday. Friday we have a fun outing planned with friends in the morning, then presents and dinner in the afternoon/evening. Finally the big party is Saturday, with our family and closest friends attending.

I'm not sure what RP is going to do next week when it ISN'T her birthday, because she has really gotten into the spirit of understanding that birthdays are a special celebration of an individual, unlike Christmas when everyone exchanges presents. Lucky for her she only has to wait another week before the Easter Bunny comes, but then she is in for the long wait until Christmas!