Three Year Olds Are No Joke

Listen, my three year old is my pride and joy (so is my three month old if we're being honest), but some days I don't know what I've gotten myself into with this stay at home business.  Three year olds are no joke.  They can be a sweet as pie.  But they can also test some limits like nobody's business.  This is the phase we are in.

I saw this meme on some social media outlet and I literally laughed out loud.  I don't know what show/movie the image is from but I completely played out this secret tribe in my head with this look.  And it is so true.  Luckily, most days our public outings don't involve screaming toddlers but, listen, I still get it.  Us Mamas have to stick together.

Here's the thing: I know this is how kids learn.  We are right where we are supposed to be and I'm not wishing any time away.  Just wishing for more "pie" moments and less "testing" moments, but I will take everything that is handed to me for I know these babies don't keep and before I know it they will be out with their friends and driving and off to college.  #somebodyholdme

We had Kate's three year well visit today at the doctor's office.  She is growing wonderfully and right in line with where her growth chart has projected her.  She weighs 31 pounds (54th percentile) and is 37" tall (50th percentile).

She is super smart and kind and polite and is still totally a Mama's girl.  (I am all about this!)  She loves playing and being imaginative and creative and melts my heart on the daily.  I am constantly amazed and impressed at who she is becoming and thank my lucky stars every day that she is mine.  Seriously, I am one lucky Mama.

We love you so, SO much, Kate.  Happy 3rd birthday!  Keeping being you!

Checking on her little sister.  #sosweet

My girls!

Playing with the train set!

Sleepy ladder climbing!  We know we only have a little bit longer
where going to the doctor in your pajamas is acceptable!

A lollipop at 8:30 am?!  Why not?!

She was super excited about that!

Maya is bright eyed and happy for Kate's well visit!

Frozen and Tinkerbell stickers for the win!

Sleepy, sleepy sis.  They both make me melt.

Trip to MD

I had mentioned in our previous post that we were headed to Maryland right after Kate's birthday party.  I was not kidding.  Saturday afternoon, October 24th, we all piled into the car and drove to Maryland.  We had a few plans while we were there: my Granddaddy's (my Mom's Dad's) Celebration of Life ceremony which happened to be the very next day (October 25th), Halloween, Kate's birthday, James' Eagle Scout Ceremony, Amy's birthday, and my Grandma's birthday.

We saw and did a lot but mainly enjoyed the people we were with.  Click below to view our trip in photos.

Here!

A Royal Party: Kate's 3rd Birthday!

Kate's 3rd birthday snuck up on me.  She's at that in between age where I can semi-ask what sort of party she wants to have but then I also get answers that vary from mermaids to animals and everything in between.  I'm also three months post partum from giving birth to Maya ... and this has been the first official month that Kate has been home with me, so, yeah, I'm a tad preoccupied with ... life .  I blinked and it was time to plan Kate's 3rd birthday.

In addition to party planning, we headed out of town to drive to Maryland right after the party, so there was that to figure out too.

In other words, my normal party prep involves a lot of homemade stuff.  This year, I at least got photo banner made and a princess invited!

Wwe decided on "A Royal Party".  Kate loves all things princess right now so we figure why not capitalize.  We invited Princess Belle, Kate's favorite princess over to join us for a little bit too.  #icingonthecake

We kept it pretty low key and had family over at our place to enjoy our time while we mingled and ate and spent some time with Princess Belle.  It wasn't as dazzling as past parties but it was a good time and we all had fun.  Kate has already planning on who she will be inviting to next year's party!

Without further ado, please check out the photos below for birthday party fun:

Oh, and to see Kate's past birthdays, click on the links below!

Kate's 1st birthday - Pumpkins and Pink
Kate's 2nd birthday - A Woodland Wonderland

And in true Hendricks fashion, we also have a little video to commemorate this year too:

Kate's 1st birthday video
Kate's 2nd birthday video
Kate's 3rd birthday video

I'm not entirely sure how long we'll do videos but I'm glad I've done them so far!

Ok, for reals, Kate's 3rd birthday.  Below:

It's official!

The birthday girl enjoying a bite to eat before Belle arrived.
Which was a surprise, btw.

Kate was a little shy when Belle first arrived
but insisted on putting on her Belle dress!

And a little hand holding from Mama fixes everything, right?!

Belle brought Kate two presents - a cupcake ring and a
Princess story book!

Saying goodbye!  Even Maya was intrigued!

Goodbye, Belle!

Kate and Belle!

That's all I got.

Maya's First Slide

I didn't dare take Kate to a public park/playground until she was at least nine months old.  It could've been the fact that she was born at the end of October and the weather was just cold, Ohio winter for the majority of her first few months of life.  Or it could've been because she was my first born and playgrounds just seem so...BIG.  #thatsprobablyit

But Maya has since jumped right into life, exploring and experiencing all things we do together no matter what.  #perkofbeingasecondchild

Today, she experienced her very first slide down a slide a Beekman Park on her big sister's lap!  ♥

It's normal to plop your not yet 3 month old in your
not yet 3 year old's lap for her first slide, right?!

Kate is super excited that Maya gets to ride with her!

Smiles for her big sis!

Yes, this was Maya's first slide!

There they go!

It should also be noted that there were several club sports teams playing on the fields around the playground.  These were most likely Ohio State sports clubs because this park is part of the Ohio State Campus...somehow, I believe.

Anyway, as we were walking to the park, we passed this guy who was walking towards us from one of the fields, and Kate said, out loud, as we walked passed, "He is so cute!"

People, I almost fell over.  What the what?!  First of all, WHERE ON EARTH did she hear that about a person of the opposite sex?!  Second of all, how does she know the laws of attraction?!  Third of all, this guy was a HUNK by every definition of the word.  He was super handsome and built with brown medium length hair and a smile that did all of us girls in.  Girlfriend's got good taste!

All I could say, out loud, as we continued to walk pass this college hunk was, "Yes, he is very cute!"

(I may have swooned a little too.)

But Brian and I both were giggling in the background.  She is too young for this.  Or we are too old for it.  Either way, WE ARE IN TROUBLE!!!  This, we know!

These two!

I so wish I had gotten a picture of Kate's hunk, but I didn't.  The next time I hear those words out of Kate's mouth, she had better be referring to a male puppy...or kitten...or other small male animal that you would label as "so cute"!  Somehow I don't think that will be the case!

We are in SO much trouble.

Mattie Poo: Back in the States

Our dearest peach, Mattie Poo Pie, has once again delighted us with his presence!  He came to stay with us from Switzerland for just under a week, see the Buckeyes, and enjoy some good old catch up time with one of his best buds, Brian.

Mattie Poo is a special guy in our household.  When Brian took a job in Scotland in 2006, he moved there not knowing a single person, other than the one who hired him.  Mattie Poo offered Brian a place to stay in his flat.  They introduced each other to their respective countries and traditions.  They became the best of friends.  And the rest is history.

Sometimes when I see these two together it is like the are long lost brothers... Naturally, Mattie Poo fits right in with all of us girls too!  Kate adored having Mattie Poo Pie here with us and once she heard his nickname, there was no turning back!  We heard shouts of it throughout the entire time he was here!  And when he visited Brian's brother, Mike, and Mike's family in New Jersey shortly after he came to visit us, they adopted his nickname quite quickly too!

We were so happy to have Mattie Poo here!  To entertain us, to enjoy all of our massive plates of food, to see the Buckeyes, and to just catch up with a best friend.  We did a lot while he was here, so here is the quick version!

First stop: Brian took Matt to Ohio Stadium.
While in Scotland, Brian's love of the Buckeyes
bled into the heart and soul of Mattie Poo.  He is a
true fan, and I think the Buckeyes were the main
reason for his visit!

Mattie enjoys some Sofia the First with Kate after
her bath!  She was enamored with Matthew!

American burgers...

While Matt and Brian were recovering on Sunday morning from the Buckeye game the night before, I took Kate and Maya to Sky Zone to get our jump on!

She's a jumpin' fool!

And a tumblin' fool!

Getting her bounce on:

Conquering the foam pit with NO FEAR:

That face says it all!

Foam pit fun!

Dodge ball fun!

Maya's not entirely sure what to think of this place.
She and I sat on the sidelines!

Also, I feel like I look like I'm 14 years old in this
photo.  Must be the angle and the lighting.
Look at me!  Taking a selfie at my first baby
sitting gig!!!

Later that afternoon, Kate was doing some marshmallow crafting and Mattie Poo and Daddy were very interested!

Mattie Poo Pie is the best!

Marshmallowing a ghost!

Pause for the pumpkin.  Taste test...

Daddy was so intrigued so I made him a spider.

He is so proud of his work...

On Monday, Brian had to work, so Kate, Maya, and I took Mattie Poo to the zoo!  He loved it!  And it was a Monday so we more or less had the place to ourselves!!!

Riding the train in North America!

Feeding giraffes!

Checking out the polar bear!

And the brown bear!  These bears were massive!

Riding the carousel with Mattie!

She picked him to go with her.

I'd say it was a huge success!

Showing Mattie Poo the enormous playground and
running back to the entrance to get back to the top
of the green slide!

And, of course, our stop at the bronze kimono dragon
with a little sit on it's head...

On Monday night, Brian and Matt headed out to see one of Matt's favorite bands, The Maccabees.  The Maccabees are a lot more popular in the UK and Europe, so seeing them in this intimate setting was incredible...according to Matt!

They even met the lead on the left!  Aka, Matt's man crush.

At the end of Matt's visit, we all didn't want him to leave.  We are 100% fine with a live in house guest like him!  We love you, Mattie Poo, and hope to see you soon!  Thanks for making the trek!!!

These two were best buds!