Lily is 3 years old!

Dear Lily,

11 days ago you turned 3. But it feels like just yesterday, probably since the decorations are still up! On your birthday I explained to you that you were three years old. I don't think you understand the concept of a year yet, but since then a few times each day, you proudly tell me and Tatus, "I'm fwee years old!"
In the weeks leading to your 3rd birthday, you became quite the little chatterbox. You've started including time into whatever you say. Often you'll remember something we did a few days ago, and then when Tatus comes home, you'll tell him excitedly, "Tatus, we went to the lake and saw the ducks and saw Jenneka today!"... when really it was 2 or 3 days ago that we went to the lake and went to music class (Jenneka is Lily & Lukasz's music teacher). You are also a very impressive mimicker. You often copy what I say word for word, especially when Tatus comes home, and I say to you "tell Tatus how you went on a big hike and saw a beaver today", and you'll turn to him and say "Tatus, we went on a big hike and saw a beaver today!!" I have to really watch myself when I'm speaking these days, because of course you copy everything, even when I'm fumbling around for a clear explanation of something... or if I let a not-so-great word slip out.

A couple of weeks ago we were driving back from Babcia and Dziadek's late at night and we got stuck in construction traffic, and then I think I got stopped at almost every red light. I must have expressed my irritation without thinking about who was in the backseat, because the next day when we were driving to a park and stopped at a red light, Lily heaved a huge sigh and said, "The stupid light is red again." Oops!

Jumping is one of your new favourite activities. I can remember a time when I wanted to do cartwheels everywhere, and did, when I could. The same is true for you and jumping right now. You'd jump all day, I think, if we let you. Unfortunately, the fellow who lives below us is home all day every day, so we really have to limit our noise (which is getting to be a bit of a challenge these days!). But once we are in the hall and at the park you are jump, jump, jumping. Lukasz has followed suit, he loves to climb up on tree stumps or roots and then jump off.

I don't know how to emphasize enough how much you have flourished in music class. We are in our third session now, and the amount of songs you know and sing is phenomenal. You've even played a game with Tatus where you put a different word into a song and still make it work. We sing so often these days, and even though I can't sing, I love it. :) We sing together, or if you are off in your own little world you will sing to yourself, and if I turn on the radio in the car, often you'll just end up singing to yourself for most of the drive, happily entertaining both yourself and Lukasz (and me!).

You are even learning French in music class!



Your birthday this year was a multi-day event. I considered having a big party, but I know how shy and sometimes overwhelmed you get when we just have a couple of people over, so I figure I'll wait till you want to have a big party. So Gran, Grampa and Uncle Shane came to celebrate on your birthday, and Babcia and Dziadek came to celebrate a few days later when they got back home from being on the road.

Tatus and I stayed up very very late the night before your birthday, getting everything ready. We'd gone downtown that evening to see some fireworks with you and Lukasz. Unfortunately, they were a bit too loud for you. :( But Lukasz really liked them. I think Tatus and I went to bed around 4 a.m.... after making the salatka (Polish potato salad), decorating the apartment and wrapping your gifts.

When you woke up that morning of course the first thing you wanted to do was open your gifts. But you were a big girl and only opened two, and left the rest to be opened when Gran, Grampa and Uncle Shane arrived. The little princess/ballerina dress, crown, wand and ring we gave you was a big hit. You walked around in that outfit for most of the day, declaring excitedly "I'm a pwincess!!"

Here you are dancing to Beethoven after opening that gift:



When Gran, Grampa and Uncle Shane arrived, you opened some more gifts and we had a yummy lunch of salatka and chicken fajitas. Lukasz was napping by that point so we played with your gifts until he woke up, then we went to the park so you could "swim" in the pool and Lukasz could run around in the spray park. I didn't get to take any photos of the time in the park since Grampa decided to challenge me to a water balloon fight. You had a lot of fun in the pool, you're new favourite thing to do (much to my back's delight) is to be a motor boat; we hold you so that you are lying on your tummy in the water and then we whiz you around the pool making motor boat sounds. Sometimes you want to be a quiet boat, though. :)


You refused to nap today, and really who could blame you? After all, it was your party! You knew this, and didn't want to miss a single minute. While I was making dinner, you saw Gran decorating the cake with strawberries.... and boy oh boy you wanted that cake and you wanted it NOW. We managed to get some dinner into you and then, finally, it was time for... cake!

(birthday singing video:


We kept the decorations up for a good two weeks after your party, and nearly every day you informed me that you were three years old and that your presents needed to be closed (because you had already opened them). I love hearing how you try out new words and concepts in different situations.

Babcia and Dziadek came for your birthday celebration a few evenings later, and you wowed them by singing along when we sang Sto Lat to you:



Here is a slideshow of all the photos from your birthday; click on the square of four arrows in the bottom right corner to create a full-screen slideshow!



I can't believe my tiny baby girl is 3 years old... feels like yesterday...Love,
Mommy