Celebrating Izze turning 3!

I can't believe my little Punk is almost 3 years old. Sometimes it's weird to think she could be that old, she's still pretty small and still my little baby in so many ways, but other times, she's so mature and kind and compassionate and smart... she could be turning 5!
Izze can write her name and can spell out both Izze and Isadora. She can recognize, all the letters in her name, the letters J,K,M and O. She can count to 15 by herself and 20 with help. She loves to paint and color and learn. She'll ask me to teach her about things she's interested in. Lately it's bees and babies. She is very nurturing and loves babies. She loves playing in her kitchen and playing games. She absolutely loves to read. We read more than 10 books a day! She can play on the computer. She does chin ups in gymnastics. She can do a cartwheel and an arch up... she is incredible. Something I didn't know about three year olds... their snuggles get better and better!

Izze's birthday isn't until Saturday... a very cold snowy Halloween birthday! We celebrated her birthday last Saturday. And my mom took her to Build-A-Bear on Thursday night.

Izze has been talking about going since Owen turned 4 in August. Honestly, this was the worst time we've had a BABW. They didn't even acknowledge Izze's birthday at all... she was terrified of the girl stuffing her bear. We made it fun though. Stuffing Pedal Giving her "Sparkly Snow Leopard" a bath. She almost chose a turkey. But mostly she was torn between the Kooky Spooky Kitty and The Sparkly Snow Leopard. Considering she has like 30+ Build-a-Bears, there were few to pick. Chilling with Lainey at Gymboree. Move onto Friday, Izze's party. It really went well. This is the "Barbie Witch Cake" exactly how Izze wanted it too. Jeremy's mom helped Izze to decorate it, just the way she wanted it. I really couldn't do this. I stayed far far away from the cake baking/decorating process! Haha! Casey and Shannon made a second cake for Izze. I'm glad they did. It was chocolate mousse cake. Izze LOOOVES Skelanimals too. We made necklaces with Halloween charms. I'm actually really glad we did this activity. It wasn't expensive and it was fun. Avery. Izze's cousin, she just turned 5 at the beginning of the month. Izze's cousin, Parker, almost 7. Izze's cousins Ammon, 5 (Mr. Incredible) and Carson, 6 (Zorro) didn't break character most of the party. Izze's closest cousin, Ella, 2 and-a-half. Checking each other out. Playing "Pumpkin Patch" balloons filled with loot to take home. Filling the 100 or so balloons gave me the worst blisters ever. I'm talking they're about an inch long... Note to self... mini notebooks aren't mini enough to fit in balloons. Opening presents. Each present was this good. She also naturally thanked everyone by name after she opened their gift. Good girl. Pause for a moment. Izze's cousin threw a pretty heavy gift at Izze's forehead. She was just trying to help. Singing Happy Birthday. Happy Birthday to you. We had so much fun and Izze got quite the haul!
Heidi's family gave her two puzzles to help write her letters and numbers.


Stacy's family got her a Fancy Nancy dress. She would wear it every where if she could.


Casey and Shannon made her that chocolate cake and got her a Hello Kitty fortune cookie maker.


Our neighbors Briseis and Aurora got her Elefun and a Skelanimals stuffed animal.


Jordan got Izze Monsters Vs. Aliens


Parker, Avery and Kyson got Izze a Ni Hao Kai-Lan game.


Grandma and Grandpa Parkin gave her a hand carved Noah's Ark


Grandma Hansen gave her a nightgown


Great Aunt Sheila & Great Grandma Parkin gave her some money.


Grandma and Grandpa Halliday gave her a cradle, a view finder, the build a bear, some cute clothes and boots.


We got her an art desk and chair, Fancy Nancy phone, Fancy Nancy Frenchy dog, Snow White, Pinocchio, Alice in Wonderland, Wizard of Oz, A Yo Gabba Gabba game and some clothes. We still haven't given her some Fancy Nancy books and we're taking her to the store on her birthday to pick out something else.


She was totally spoiled. What a lucky lady!

Witchy Woman.

On Friday, my sister and I went to Wee Witches Weekend at Gardner Historic Village.

Izze had a ton of fun and is still more than pleased to be a witch for Halloween.




Sydney, Ella and Izze watching the "Hula Hoop Witch"


Izze's costume from behind.


Such a sweet sweet girl.


Riding a tractor to meet A.REAL.LIFE.WITCH.ARE.YOU.KIDDING.


The thrill was short lived. Izze was absolutely terrified of Matilda.




Attending a funeral for a dear cockroach friend, who was squished in the house. This is Queen Hyperspeed Helga. Izze looooved her.


Learning about poisoned apples, magic brooms and wart cream.


Izze really did like her, she was just a little nervous about being alone with her for a picture.

She got autographs from a few of the witches and she was so very proud.



She really had a great time, I'd go back again and again every year for sure.

The cutest thing is that Izze asked for a "witch party" for her birthday and I told her we were going to the "witch thing" and just before we left she asked me so sweetly, "Mommy, does this mean I'm 3 now?" SO DARLING! I said, "What do you mean, Izze?"
"Because we're going to this witch party, I'm 3 now!"

I told her she won't be 3 until the end of the month, but we'd get a lot of good ideas for her party.