It's a Wonderful Life

So she's now 3 years 2 months, but like I always say...better late then never. For the past 2 years we have had Kenzie's party at home. So this year we wanted to do something different, since she is a little older to remember and really enjoy something outside of the home. So we decided on Rolly Pollies since its one of her favorite places, since she took some baby tumbling/gym classes there over the years. Of course the weekend of her party there was a pretty nasty snowstorm so sadly many of our friends couldn't make it.

We celebrated her actual birthday with a trip to the Strong Museum of Play.

Dear Kenzie,
Oh my little love, my little peanut pie. How on earth are you 3 years old. I'm sure I'll say this every year, but the past 3 years of our lives have been the fastest yet, but with each year, you bring us more and more love and joy.

From 2 to 3 you have changed so much. It was just this time last year you tested a pregnant me more than any other time in our 3 year relationship...potty training. We transitioned you to your big girl bedroom, in your big girl bed. I love that you quietly sleep all night until we hear the pitter patter of your little feet running to your door, followed by a soft knock yelling "Mommy." And you always wait so patiently until I half asleep bring you into our bed. You rarely fall back asleep, but if you do, you always snuggle up to me and hold my face.

I know you're still little. You're only 3, but you have change so much and I never want to forget these things. I love that when you wake in the morning, you have one sock on because you play with your toes in the night. I love that you are so honest. Even when the refrigerator alarm, missing block of cheese, and the dogs give away your hiding place you still let me know "Mom I'm hiding and eating cheese under the table." I love your sensitivity for animals. Whether its sad animals on TV that need homes or commercials with puppies, you say "awww, those puppies are sad." Your sensitivity also makes you melt into a puddle on the floor when anyone yells at you, especially your Daddy. I really love how you sing. You not only sing, you belt! I hope you always love music, and always sing to me. You love to dance, and boy is it dramatic. Your facial expressions and movements are nothing short of broadway. You don't love to get food on your face, and you hate when you spill things...but you'll gladly stomp in puddles and play in dirt.

You continue to impress me with how smart you are. I'm sorry we picked a 9 letter name for you, but you spell it out so beautifully..even though it started out as M-A-C-K-E-N-GO! (You really love B-I-N-G-O). You know all your shapes, even the weird ones, I don't even remember ie trapezoid. You love puzzles and playdoh, and have such an imagination.

Daddy thinks you have a temper. He blames it on me. But if you got your "passionate" side from me, you also got my forgiveness. You never hold a grudge. In fact you're smart enough to know, that if you apologize, you get end up with what you wanted in the first place. You apologize quickly. Somedays you're ultra sensitive and will melt down at anything. Other days you roll along without a care in the world. You are so funny. You make us laugh everyday, and you're not even trying.

You have wrapped your daddy around your finger. You watch all sports with him, shouting your (his) favorite players whenever asked. You know the "magic words" are always.. "Let's Go Tribe." You should see some of the outfits he puts you in. We love your blonde hair, even though you know you and Fausto are the only ones in the family with blonde hair.

We threw you a curve ball this year when we brought your brother into this world. Before him, you were the center of our world. But we know you were the first step to our perfect family. Family will always be our number one.
In the months before he was born, I use to hold you with tears in my eyes, knowing things would never be the same for you, or for us. You made me a mommy. You taught me what love is. I know you will love and bond with Camden someday , and teach and take care of him. I know you do love him, even though you tell me you don't. I promise you you'll love him more than cookies, and he won't eat you. You just wait...

Yes we have difficult days, where you are being "rough". But I love these days...even the difficult ones. We love every single part of you. You will always be perfect to us. I wouldn't be me without these last 3 years of you. You are forever my favorite girl.

I love you the best.

You always hear it... Parents, couples, etc etc should have some alone time. We really tried to do the once a month date night...that lasted a month! But we did do one thing I've wanted to make a point of doing. Back in the fall, we "stumbled" upon some credit card points, which we usually use to do travel with our little famil... But this time we did a little something big..just.the.two.of.us. We booked a 5 night cruise. 5 seemed perfect. Not too short, but not too long away from our babies. Kenzie had stayed away from us 1 night, and Cam..never! The anxiety of leaving them was horrible.
We knew they'd be in good hands, splitting the time with both grandparents. But the tears were already flowing by the time we hit the Cuba exit on Rt 86. I knew they'd be fine. I knew we'd be fine, and feel much better once we were on our way. They were angels for their grandparents (as usual) and we had a really great time. We are already eyeing up our next one!

After our arrival in Florida at 5:30am (whooo hoo for a cheap flight), we had plenty of time to spare on the boat! Here we are just waiting to depart from Miami.

Arriving in Jamaica

We went to the Bamboo Beach Club which served tapas Jamaican foods and drinks. We also did some shopping. I've heard a lot of negatives about Jamaica, but we really loved it!

In the Cayman Islands we fulfilled one of the items on my bucket list... note: swimming with dolphins was not on Don's bucket list. ;) But we swam with dolphins!! Ever since I saw Stephanie and DJ Tanner swim with the dolphins in the beach boys Hawaii episode (come on, I know you know which episode it is), I wanted to. I snagged a deal on black friday, and we made it happen.
We also go to visit the turtle farm, which I also reallllly loved!

It was beautiful all morning, until our time to swim. It poured the whole time. These pictures cost just about as much as the excursion alone, but we we had to! I love Don's no impressed fast, where I could not be more excited.