The big 3-0. Minus the 0.

It's almost August already? How did that happen? Where does the time GO?

Big Sister E's 3rd birthday is quickly approaching, meaning I have about 2 1/2 months to plan what we will do to celebrate. Last year was easy, she was all about monkeys. They were by far her favorite thing, so I took the idea and ran with it, ending up with monkey balloons, monkey cups, monkey gift bags, a monkey shirt, monkey cupcakes and my pride and joy: the monkey cake. I'm not the most talented person in the kitchen and I know mine didn't come out quite as perfect as Martha's, but I was still impressed with myself. Plus, it took ALL MORNING to make, a feat in itself considering I was pretty darn pregnant with Little Sister B at the time and didn't do all that much standing. Big Sister E loved it and has talked about it ever since.

This year? Sure, she still likes monkeys. But they aren't nearly as exciting as they used to be. If you ask what her favorite animal is there's a chance that monkeys may still get a vote. However, peacocks seem to be mentioned more lately. As well as dig-digs (prairie dogs). Who has a prairie dog party? And I don't think there's even a small chance that I could make a peacock cake that would even REMOTELY resemble a bird, let alone a peacock. I have a few more ideas, but I'll have to think about it all for a while more. I'm also waiting on a recent giveaway win to arrive before I commit to an idea because I think it'll help me make the final decision.
As well as fretting about the party, I've heard from more and more people lately about how 3 is harder than 2. Terrible Two's? 3 was much worse, they say. I'm not sure if them telling me this is along the lines of sharing horrible birth stories with pregnant women or details of root canal pain on the way to the dentist (which, by the way, I had a temporary crown put on my tooth the other day and was there a need for the hygienist to pull so hard on my cheek in an effort to help hold my mouth open? It seemed a little unnecessary). But yet, they tell me. Or else I just bring it upon myself when I come across the stories on other blogs and can't seem to stop reading them.

I'm not sure if I will be able to handle 3 if it's that much harder, because we've had a pretty crazy ride with 2. Some days have been wonderful, fantastic, fun-filled, joyous times with my sweet, loving Dr. Jekyll. Then there are the other days, or that SAME DAY or even 30 SECONDS LATER that Mr. Hyde appears and the tantrums, yelling and crying just make me want to take Little Sister B and go hide somewhere, preferably somewhere soundproof. However, I have to remember that we've come a long way from when Big Sister E changed from my cute, content baby into this person with thoughts and OPINIONS and feelings that are hard for her to express. I, for one, think I am just going to choose to ignore the warnings about 3 and focus on the good things that are to come.

Like partying.

(Halloween 2008, two weeks after her birthday. What else did you think she'd be?)