All About Natalie's Three Part Third Birthday!

Natalie was very lucky to celebrate her birthday in three parts this year. 

Grandma and Grandpa's House:
The first part was a week early.  We visited my parents and she got all her presents from my family.  These included her favorite present of the year, her Fisher Price Disney Princess Singing Castle.  It is a castle made for Little People that are made to look like the Disney Princesses.  She plays with it every day.  She also really enjoyed the doll crib from my brother and metal pots and pans set from my sister.  But just as fun as new toys is the trip to Grandma and Grandpa's house.  She gets excited to go visit and likes to help pack her own bag.  This trip was added fun for everyone because we got to see how much baby Stephen had grown.  Natalie tried to hold him a couple times but he wasn't into it.  When it was time for cake, Natalie got to share the candles with Grandpa. 

Hula Dance Party:
The day before her actual birthday, we held Natalie's birthday party.  Unlike the last  two years, this one was a party for her friends.  For a few months a head of time we talked about a theme, and finally we settled on a Hula Girl party.  I did a lot of work to make the decorations, food, gift bags, and music, but I'll post more about that in another post.  There isn't too much to say about her party other than she and her friends all seemed to have a good time.  I had planned for it to be a bit more organized, but mostly the kids just had free play.  Everyone enjoyed their cupcakes with sprinkles.  Natalie liked her presents, though she was a bit overwhelmed when the other little guests swarmed on her when it was time to open them.  By far her favorite gift from the part was her Hello Kitty tent.  She slept it in for a couple nights before conceding that the floor isn't that comfortable. 

The Official Day:
Natalie's official birthday was busy, too.  We started the day with grocery shopping since we hadn't been able to do it the day of her party.  After that, she was supposed to have nap / quiet time in her room, but wasn't very well behaved.  She was invited to a free game of bowling after nap time.  Natalie had a fair amount of fun with that.  There was a ramp the kids rolled the balls down and bumpers so they had a fair shot of hitting the pins.  Straight from the bowling alley, we went out to dinner at Applebee's.  Natalie enjoyed her mac and cheese and french fries.   We came home, had bath, and after a little play, we read her new books in her new pjs and she slept in her tent.