Happy Birthday

R turned the big 3 on Monday. She'll even hold up her fingers to show you, too, even though "that one [the ring finger] won't stay up." Today as we were getting back into the car at the grocery store, she acknowledged, "Mom, I can't act 2 anymore." I told her she was right.

We started celebrating over the weekend with an emergency trip to Sea World, San Antonio (we realized that not only do our passes expire at the end of this month, but once R turned 3 we would have to pay the $35 to get her in...it was our last chance to walk through the gate for free). We woke up at 4 AM on Saturday and got there around 10 AM. It was a beautiful day and hot enough that we decided to try out the water park for the first time. We also fed the dolphins, saw the sea lion and the water skiing shows, and a new Shamu show that was fantastic. A wonderful day, but we were definitely tired by the end. We grabbed dinner at a place that claims to be "the worst barbecue in Texas" (actually very good!) and then T dropped us off at the hotel and made the Priesthood session of General Conference at a nearby chapel. Then it was another early morning (even earlier considering daylight savings) and long drive back to make it home in time for Sunday's Conference sessions. Now that we've had the chance to catch up on sleep, we're glad we made the trip.

Some of R's friends came over on her birthday for play group, so even though we didn't have a birthday party, it was just as fun (and less work, I might add). She opened most of her family presents during our blueberry muffin breakfast but we saved one as the prize at the end of a treasure hunt (always a hit at family night) that evening. We also enjoyed "princess cake" and mini milkshakes for dessert. Dad had to break the news to the birthday girl the other night that she'll have to wait another year before she gets to have another birthday. I'm glad time isn't going any faster than it already is.