Isabel's Third Birthday!

Isabel turned three this past Thursday and had her birthday party today.  Olli and I were remembering how she was just four months old when we moved to Boston and that Lukas' first birthday in the States was when he turned three. How quickly time flies!

Isa, on the other hand, has long been anticipating turning three years old because she knew that she would get to start preschool.  For weeks she has been readily telling anyone who would listen, "On January firty-first, I turn free!"

This afternoon, we went to Isabel's gymnastics party at a nearby gymnastics hall.  She had a blast tumbling, sliding, swinging and jumping and it seems the other kids did too.  This portion of the party was nearly a full hour! We had pizza and cupcakes with pink frosting (a special request from Isabel) in an event room at the gym afterward.  All in all, it was a fun time!

Lukas eating oatmeal before school on the day before Isa's birthday 

Isabel on her last day as a 2-year-old

The gifts from family (and a couple from a friend who couldn't come to the party)--quite a spread!

We normally have a "birthday breakfast" for the kids on their birthdays regardless of whether or not they have school that day.  However,  this day, Olli had to be at work by 7:30a.m. and I had to leave at 7:15a.m. to take the kids to school, so Olli came home from work early and we celebrated in the afternoon.

This is a Cinderella doll (and some extra doll clothes) from Yiayia and Grandpa.  The pink "princess dress" is from Tante Steffi and family.  Isa made her pink paper crown at school and it was cut by a classmate, so there's an ample amount of tape holding it together at this point.  Yet, as you may know, a princess cannot be without her crown so she wore it regardless! :-)

The "boiling kettle" set that Thea Lesley and family got for Isabel.  Both kids like using it to "pour" hot water for tea, hot chocolate etc. because it makes noises.

The doll that Isabel got from Thea Lesley and family.  She calls it "Aurora/Sleeping Beauty" even though I don't think it's actually intended to be.  This doll, and the Cinderella doll, are perfect for the dollhouse we gave her for her birthday.

This is the tin tea set that Oma and Opa gave Isabel.  It came with it's own storage case and serving tray.  We've had a couple of "tea parties" already and I predict many more to come!

Isabel walking across the balance beam at her gymnastics party

This is one of Isa's favorite positions! :-) 

They had a large bouncy castle set up with a slide and here's Isabel going down it. 

Part of the obstacle course and a few of Isa's church friends going across it

The "big brother" swinging like Tarzan!

Getting ready to move to another section of the gymnasium for more activities

Isa getting excited about being the "example" to show the other kids what to do on the next part of the program

After jumping down a long trampoline, the kids jump into a large foam pit--a highlight for many

Lukas getting some air on his jump into the foam pit

Isa's friends and a few of their parents--the rest were watching from the balcony 

The "pink" cupcakes and part of the Hello Kitty theme

Isa listening, very soberly, to her friends sing "Happy Birthday"

Isa had a hard time blowing out the number 3 candle on her cupcake, so after three tries, I helped her.