Autumn is 3!!!

Hey y'all...yeah, it's me! :)

Things are settling down here a little bit and, while I can't talk about some of what's been keeping me so busy, I can talk about some of it now that it's passed and that includes Autumn turning 3.



That's her at the exact moment she turned 3: 8:49 a.m. on August 24th, 2012.

And here she is enjoying a birthday piggy back ride from her biggest bro:


Her birthday fell on a Friday so Jason took the day off as is his tradition.  The boys haven't started school yet so they were off too.  And then, Me-Me and Paw Paw were also in town for the occasion so she was having a very special day already.

First things first, she wanted chocolate croissants for breakfast so Gary, Jason, and Dalton headed up to Atlanta Bread for some pastries and breakfast sandwiches and then we stuck a candle in Nummies' and sang to her:




Then it was on to presents!


She was so excited to open this one from G-Ma and July once she saw what it was:


She had really been wanting a LaLaLoopsy doll....and she got one! 


A few other things....mostly picked up on clearance by me at one time or another...






Or even the thrift store....


For this $6 Barbie house...with Barbies (many of them naked)... 


She got a few Barbie outfits for presents but we're on the hunt for the bags of Barbie clothes you'll often come across at the thrift stores.  She doesn't care a bit.

After presents we got dressed and the gals headed to the nail salon.  It was Autumn's first time to go to the salon.  She picked pink polish (of course):


And then another lady came through and painted little tiny flowers on each nail:


Autumn and Me-Me were done way before me because I was getting my shellac removed and then a French shellac manicure done.  So those two headed into Wal-Mart to find Autumn some new shoes.  I think Me-Me thought new shoes would help Autumn put them on the right feet more often.  (It doesn't.) :) 

With our beautiful nails, we headed home:


She had a quick lunch and then napped in the car while we drove around which was good because she was getting super grumpy.  But she woke up happy once we got to Target for her annual birthday pics:








From Target it was then time to hit Chuck E. Cheese for some fun:






Dalton is too short to reach the gas so look at his sweet big brother giving him a hand:




The other two are still scared of Chuck E.:


Somehow we ended up at Cracker Barrel for her birthday dinner.  So not her favorite place but I guess Jason got her to agree to it and made it sound like her choice?  Who knows?  But everyone ate well and she got cake so it's all good. :)

We didn't do her party till Sunday because one of her favorite friends was going to be out of town on Saturday but said they'd be back Sunday afternoon....so we scheduled the party around her.  Seriously.

Her little invitation:


This amazing custom ensemble arrived from Posh Birthday Boutique:


Because of how busy I've been, I really didn't do much "theming" for her party.  I had ideas for YEARS for a hot pink and lime ladybug party but really didn't end up doing much because, seriously, some of what's been going on has been nearly overwhelming (you'll find out soon...and, remember, Jason had a vasectomy years ago so don't go guessing about that sort of thing keeping me so busy).  Luckily Autumn is only 3 and she had an absolute blast and I'm not trying to impress anyone else here so....

Right after church that Sunday we dashed home to get changed and to pack up the food and supplies and shove some lunch into Autumn.  She and I took off because I was allowed in 15 minutes before the start time to set up.  So we got there...and some of our guests were already in the parking lot!  Ha!  Lauren helped Autumn into her tutu and Grammy and Gramoo helped me carry my stuff in and get it set up:




Jason and the boys and Paw Paw and Me Me were scheduled to arrive after us.  In fact, the party got started without them....see how my boys aren't there?


But they arrived and we had a fun little hour long gymnastics party planned for the kids:










Mr. Air Jordan here:




Being the fun auntie that I am. ;)


And about to attempt my fancy dismount:


Bomb's away!






See, Me Me and Paw Paw were there too:


After the hour of gymnastics time was up we headed into the party room for drinks and cupcakes.
 

I had a few healthy snacks out too: cheeses and fruits and some goldfish.  Juice boxes and waters:


Caise dove into his cupcake:


Dalton was very amused by this, by the way:


Then it was time for presents:




She got lots more super cool stuff!

Poor Janna through the window trying to get Carson to nap:


This is probably when Grammy was confronting Paw Paw about unfriending her on Facebook.  Ha!!!


Then it was time to say goodbye to all.  Cousin hugs!


We took a few family pics that afternoon because Me Me and Paw Paw were leaving ((early)) in the morning:






And then she got to do her "Walk Around the Sun" at school that week.  She was the very first student.  Because she was the first, we watched old videos of her Bubbas when it was their turn so she'd know what to do and could show all the other kids.  That also means she was the first kid to bring snack this year.  She brought Golden Oreos (allergy and health department limit what we can send) and lemonade. 


And that wraps up my big girl turning 3!!!