Samantha's 3rd Birthday Party

 Today we celebrated Samantha's 3rd Birthday. She was so excited for her party. We started walking over to the gazebo and as soon as she saw the balloons she took off running!

 Some of Samantha's friends from Miss Sara's (her babysitter) were able to come and Samantha was very excited to have them at her party. Cousin Grady came stylin' to her party in his "sunnies".

 Probably Samantha's favorite part of the party was opening her presents! And I can honestly say she LOVED everything she got.

 Jeff and I got her this book set that comes with a pen and it reads to the books to you. It is really neat and Samantha wanted to "read" her books right away!

 Mawmaw and Pawpaw got her a Dora bike with training wheels and she thinks she such a big girl now. She still doesn't quite have the whole peddling thing down yet but she sure loves to try!

 This year I ordered a cake instead of making it. And I have to say it took a lot of pressure off me and saved a lot of time too. Plus the bakery did a lot better job than I could have. (So a week or so before her birthday I asked her what she wanted for her birthday and she said a Dora cake. I asked her what else she wanted and she said, candles on her Dora cake. I said what else do you want and she said a Dora cake with candles. So I am so glad that the one and only thing she wanted we were able to provide! In 10 years when her list is MUCH longer I will remember when she was just 3 and all she wanted was a Dora cake with candles!)

 She blew out her "3" candle just as soon as we got it lit.

 Mommy and Daddy with our Birthday Girl.

 Samantha gave Maren a big hug and thanked her for coming to her party. It was really sweet.

 And she saved some hugs for her friend Emme too!

 Trying out her new bike!

 Gram got Samantha a Dora pinata and she made sure we took it home and hung it up in her bed room!

Maren got Samantha a Minnie the Mouse dress up costume and she has basically worn it ever since we've been home! Combined with the princess shoes that Grady got her...its' one eclectic look :)


*Samantha,
Mommy and Daddy love you so much. In fact we have had so much fun over the past few years we just cannot believe you are already 3. You are such a sweet girl and you LOVE to talk. Sometimes Mommy and Daddy think that you never stop talking unless you are asleep. Your favorite TV show is Dora and your favorite movies are Tangled and The Little Mermaid. You even tell people you want to be a mermaid when you grow up. And you just might considering how much you love to swim. You have stepped into the role of Big Sister so well and the first thing you want to do in the morning is see your sister. I asked you one time if you wanted another baby brother or sister and you said all you want is Natalie. You also want her to sleep in your room with you and we told you that she can once she turns 1. We'll see if you change your mind between now and then :) You only ever want to wear dresses! You prefer the really fancy type that have to be hand washed or dry cleaned but you will settle for cotton play dresses as long as YOU get to pick it out. Since Daddy is the one that gets your ready in the morning you and him pick out your clothes together the night before. You also think that shorts and pants are for boys and we have to bribe you to wear them. Sometimes the bribes do not work and you end up wearing dresses to T-ball! But I have to say you have good taste in clothes and you ALWAYS look adorable. Your Daddy and I love getting to watch you grow in the little girl you are meant to be. We will always be your biggest supporters in life no matter what. Your Daddy always asks you, "How much do I love you?" and you respond, "BUNCHES!" And we do love you bunches and always will. Happy Birthday Samantha!
Love, Mommy and Daddy.