Helena and Grammie

"Mommy, sometime can I ask Grammie how people get in power?"
"Sure. Why do you want to ask Grammie?"
"Because she's tricky."
"What do you mean?"
"She knows about everything. I mean... she's planted a lot of gardens. That's why I like to talk to her all the day long. ((pause)) But I miss her! Can we go visit your mom sometime?"

On My Actual Birthday

Mommy let Helena pick out her outift and she chose to wear her hot air balloon dress so her baby doll could wear her matching one. The three of us, Mommy, Helena and matching baby doll which everyone thought was so cute, headed off to a nearbye town to ride the carasoul, go into the "dolly" (ie toy) store and to the bakery where we always get "two Jelly Tots for a dollar". These itty bitty little round cookies with jelly in the middle are a big treat in Helena's eyes.

First off tho were the presents from Mommy and Daddy, and ones that Great Grandma and Pop-Pop had sent up. Helena opened them on top of the picnic table and we all laughed when a few curious chickens hopped up to share in the excitement.

Most of Helena's gifts she was with us when we got them. We just sort of sneaked them around her. But I couldn't avoid her seeing the big box with the watering can, fork and trowel, pails and garden gloves, so I told her we'd have to see who it went to as a present and maybe we'd give it to Grace for a present. She was not so happy with that idea and was delighted to open it on her birthday.

In case you are curious, here are a few other gift ideas for 3 yr olds. Books, a flower press to make bookmarks or cards for people with the pressed flowers, water color paper stationary to paint and give for gifts, homemade "sewing kits" and also we gave her some homemade wood characters of the 3 little pigs, Red Riding Hood, the grandmother and the Big Bad Wolf since she likes those stories.

Helena's favorite gift was the sewing kit to make her baby a pillow. We had to head right inside and sew up and stuff the entire pillow right away before we left for the day. To make the "kit", cut 2 pieces of felt into a square, punch holes in around the edges, stick in a bit of stuffing, some yarn and a dull plastic needle. The only thing I had to buy was the needle. Helena was so happy to be "big enough" to sew and so proud of her accomplishment!!




I just love the picture of her "reading" her card!

Birthday Party 8

Aunt Katie gave Helena this little Pooh that her face shows she was thrilled with along with this adorable crocheted "Romania" hat.

Grammy made her this Chickie Dress which Mommy had picked out fabric for but knew was *way* over her head to make. And yes, Mommy should really iron things before she puts them on, but hey, it would just be that wrinkled in an hour anyway.

Birthday Party 7

Our landlord Harry, gamely offered to give the kids their wheelbarrow ride. After once around, Grandpa, in the baseball cap, took over. They went thru the special running path Daddy has mowed thru the side "field".

Next we tried to feed the carrots hidden in the garden to the horses. (Helena tried to pull up a real one which cracked me up - they aren't ready yet, thus the hidden ones). The horses, however, were too busy grazing far out in the field to be interested.

Birthday Party 6

Presents to open.... Helena's little girlfriends lined up in front of her, eager to lend a helping hand should she so require while Helena admonished them "Look with your eyes not your hands" I just love the homemade cards they made her!

Birthday Party 5

Cupcakes at last!! I had planned to make a Pooh Bear cake, but couldn't find a pan anywhere and hadn't thought I'd need to order one early. Second choice, I was going to use a round pan I had with some cupcakes for ears and a snout. Alas, the round pan was too big. So into the cupcake tins the batter was re-poured with the thought that I'd figure out some way to decorate them. A trip to Target, home of classic Pooh, yielded not even any stickers. Hallmark store had stickers and then into Walmart for toothpicks. (Sometimes big commercial shopping plazas are a blessing!)

Voila! Pooh character cupcakes complete with all natural pink and yellow frosting and sprinkles. Helena, who only knew I would be decorating them and she had to wait to see the surprise, was thrilled! How fun it was to choose not only the flavor (yellow frosting on carrot pineapple, pink on banana chocolate chip) but the character as well!

I am kinda sad tho that I didn't get a good picture of them all set so prettily on the 3 tier dessert plates.

I love how Helena's face is all lit up as she looks at the candles while 15 people sing Happy Birthday to her. So sweet!

Birthday Party 4

A few misc party pics...

Birthday Party 3

After a lunch of Annie's macaroni and cheese (Helena's choice), mini egg salad and tuna sandwiches, potato salad, tossed salad and blue corn chips, we convinced the kids to do a few more activities before having their cupcakes. I knew Helena would enjoy her cupcakes more if she let her several helpings of mac and cheese digest!

So off berrying they all went... Even Kate decided this was a fun activity! Joe picked the ones farther back and rationed them out "two for you, and two for you and two for you...." Somehow the children all returned with empty baskets and pails tho.... Hmmm..... what's that on Grace's face and dress?

Birthday Party 2

After a bit of swinging, Helena and her little friends, Grace and Satya and Kate, all in adorable little party dresses, started off on planting some miniature zinnia seeds with Christopher Robin and then moved on to painting the pots with Pooh.

Kate, who is a bit shy, opted out with a sweet as could be "No thank you", her reply to most of the activities. My mom said I would have been the same way at that age.

Satya, not quite 2 yet, thought filling and dumping the soil from the pots was the most fun part of all. She also found endless amusement in going in the side garage door and coming out the front, while we all giggled at her endless circles.

The planted pots were the kid's party favors.

Birthday Party 1

On July 15th, our sweet little Helena turned 3. We had a party for her with family and friends on Saturday the 12th.

For the party we had signs like these all around designating activities for the children. Other signs were for "Bouce grapes to the chickens with Tigger", "Take a wagon ride with some friends" with a picture of Rabbit pushing friends in the wheelbarrow and another hung near the swing that said "Kanga says to have fun and remember to take turns!" or something like that.