Aloha, Three!

It's official...the twins are three! It's hard to believe that three years ago I didn't know the little girl who melts my heart with every unsolicited "I love you, mommy" and the little boy whose belly laugh and "cuuuute belly!" can bring an instant smile to my face.

How quickly we forget that here's a learning curve when it comes to birthday parties...there's the gift opening...

(and probably the last year that the twins will let their brothers "help" them open their presents), there's the blowing out the candles...

which doesn't seem like rocket science but we found it IMPOSSIBLE to get them both lit before one blew out their candle so that they were never lit at the same time. Let's just say they had plenty of opportunities for birthday wishes this year- another thing the haven't learned yet.

The decorations were a highlight for the twins...thanks to Renee, we celebrated with their birthday with a luau theme. Which is perfect for a little girl who LOVES to dress up. And little boy who LOVES to eat. Okay, so any theme probably would have worked, but there's no doubt that Renee's special touches made it extra special. There were the streamers (by request from the twins), Hawaiian flower decorations, festive Hawaiian music, a blow up ukelele and octopus, leis for everyone and a tropical bird pinata, which Ella seemed to enjoy hitting a little too much (we definitely have a future softball player on our hands).

Thanks, Renee!

Ella was happy to receive some new princess accessories and Tinker Bell (her favorite) themed jewelry and phone.

Hmmm, a tiara, a cell phone and lots of sparkly bling...at what age do we have undo all this and start discouraging it? Oh well, it's cute for now.

And what's a party without a wardrobe change? This is the very special "ballerina" outfit (with tap AND ballet shoes) that grandma got for our little dancer (well, hopefully some day). I think she likes it, what do you think?

The more bling the better, right?

But this one takes the cake...after watching the movie Reo (about a blue parrot and Carnival in Rio de Janeiro) Ella took it upon herself to wear the used pinata head and tail...and then SHAKE her tail again and again.

Once again...cute for now.

And Chase was in Heaven with his new dump truck and DVD of Twenty Trucks.

Seriously, if you know a little boy who LOVES trucks, I highly recommend this DVD with songs. They will learn all there is to know about construction vehicles and you'll be singing songs about excavators! Just give him plenty of space to dance 'cuz you'll get screamed at and knocked out of the way if not! Yes, he's obsessed...but it's cute for now.

Funny enough, we still haven't given them the scooters we bought, which are sitting in the garage. They had just enough gifts to keep them excited and occupied...maybe we'll just save them for Christmas (probably the last year we can get away with that, too!).

And I would be remiss not to mention the year we discovered the world's BEST ice cream cake, Peanutbutter Playground by Cold Stone. Not your traditional birthday cake, but soooo much better than cupcakes with way too much colored frosting that turns your mouth funny colors.

Thanks to the grandparents for coming together to celebrate #3. And now...as they transition out of toddlerdom, look out preschool, here they come!
Happy Birthday Chase & Ella!