Girly-girl Ivy turns 3!

Well, we’ve survived a total of 3 years of official parenthood, as of today. Actually, it’s been way way more than survival, it’s been an overflowing blessing of love, joy, inspiration and beauty. Ivy Sommer Dutton came into the world at 9:44pm on July 23, 2008, and nothing has been the same since!

Today we were joined by friends and family at the Children’s Museum of Houston for a boistrous afternoon of cat herding (aka “guiding young children around a very full and vibrantly active giant playground for kids”), cake and ice cream.

The theme was a combination of princesses (which Ivy is NUTS about) and Angry Birds (a game she is nuts about).

She was showered with more girly stuff than I can recall flowing through my entire childhood, and that was perfectly to her liking. A Disney princesses dressing table, glitter in her hair, a shimmering pink dress and tiara, dolls, all manners of pink and purple clothing, and lots and lots of Happy Birthdays through her Facebook peer 3-year-olds (via proxy of their mommies, whom Holly has known online for almost 4 years now), and friends and relatives in other states.

Ivy thoroughly enjoyed the entire day, which she had been asking about for weeks “Is my birthday now or later? Later? OK.” Next day “Birthday today? No? Later? OK.” 🙂 By 8pm she was tuckered out and fell asleep on her own. Hopefully she is having sweet pink and purple princess dreams. Where this girly-girl stuff came from we have no idea (recessive genes?) but it’s fun to be around and fun to watch her enjoy a 3-year-old’s version of makeup, cooking, cleaning and being a girl.

So, Happy Birthday little girl! Mommy and Daddy love you very much. You’ve brought lots into this world, and we are lucky to have you!!