Lissie's Third Birthday Recap

We opted out of having an official party this year and instead did a lot of other fun things to celebrate Lissie's special day. In fact, it was a whole weekend devoted entirely to Lissie.

Friday: We had a birthday playdate at Chuck E. Cheese with a friend who's big day is the day after Lissie's. It was the kiddos' first time at the play place, and a blast was had by all! After heading home for a nap, Lissie went to her Lola's house for a sleepover, where they went to church to do the Stations of the Cross/First Friday Mass (it was St. Felicity's Feast Day!)/Fish Fry!

Saturday: I went to my parents' house and swapped kids, leaving Xavier with them while I took Lissie on a new birthday tradition: a mommy/daughter mani-and-lunch date. Lissie love-love-loved getting her nails done, and of course she also loved the free lollipop she got at the end. We lunched at Panera, where Lissie was extra excited not having to share her meal with her little brother. We had a lot of fun, and she definitely loved her alone time with her mommy. After picking up Xavier and heading home for a nap, we went to one of Lissie's favorite parks to play while we waited for daddy to come home for dinner and a pre-birthday bubble bath.

Sunday: Especially with Daylight Savings stealing an hour, Lissie was still in quite a daze when Justin and I woke her up with birthday balloons before hurrying to get ready for Mass. She had a special birthday breakfast of strawberry pancakes shaped like the number "3" along with her usual yogurt and banana. At her request, we sat up close during Mass so she could take in all of the action. After heading home for Xavier's morning snooze, we headed to Dragon Park for some fun and a picnic lunch. They recharged with their simultaneous afternoon naps, and after a quick walk around the block with Rupert we headed to a closer smaller park to play a bit more before dinner. Lissie wanted her Lolo and Lola to meet us at the park so she can show off her big girl tricks climbing and sliding and swinging, and after we tired ourselves out, we headed home where Daddy (who had to work this weekend) and her other Lolo met us for a yummy birthday dinner: Lola's pancit, fried chicken, and panko-crusted green beans. And, of course, cake. Again, at the birthday girl's request, we had a chocolate birthday cake in the shape of Daniel Tiger. After seeing lots of pictures of her first birthday smash cake, Lissie wanted to dig into the cake with her hands and eat it all by herself....but, thankfully, she decided to share with the rest of us. Delicious. Of course, we ended the day with present opening and went to bed much later than usual, especially since the newly-three-year-old was way too excited about everything to want to go to sleep.