If It's Sarah's Birthday, We Must Be on the Road

Sarah turned 3 last Monday, and, once again, she spent hours strapped into her carseat on her birthday.  It's just the way things have worked out with the China family reunion the last two years.  Fortunately, the reunion have changed for next year, so we'll be home all day.

She woke to a couple of presents in the hotel room, then had her birthday breakfast downstairs.

Card first....

The first gift was a Chinese doll, whom Mom suggested naming Lulu after Sarah's Chinese name (Lu Yi).  We'll see if it sticks.

Then there was Mrs. Potato Head.

Mom thought a sugar donut would be a fun birthday treat, but Sarah wasn't impressed and ate only a couple of bites.

After a few hours on the road, we stopped at a beautiful town park in Bl**mington, Wisconsin, for lunch.  Sarah tried out her first human-powered (Daddy, in this case) merry-go-round and seesaw.

Whooooaaaaaa....  (Her ribbon says "It's My B-D.")

My grandmother had an awesome seesaw that could be adjusted to accommodate different-sized riders.  Alas, this one couldn't.

A chocolate milkshake after lunch

We got home mid-afternoon, and Sarah had lots of cards and a package in the mail.  She had a ball opening them all.  There's nothing like getting mail!



Opening a package from Grammy

Showing the stickers she got in Grammy's card and the $3 she got in Grandma and Grandpa's card

Because we were traveling, a homemade cake was out of the question.  Dad ran to the grocery store and got a little smiley face one, which seemed satisfactory to the birthday girl.

After cake, it was more presents -- one more from Mom and Dad and some my mom sent out with my sister a couple of weeks ago.

She loves the Melissa & Doug clock and toolbox. 

Later in the week, she received gifts from her big sisters.  Emily, Omar, and Sophia sent a Melissa & Doug Magnetic Responsibility Chart, which I knew she would enjoy, given her penchant for accomplishment.  Rachel gave her a vt*ch Kid*zoom digital camera, and she LOVES it.  She's gotten really good at taking photos in the few days that she's had it.  And she can maneuver all the buttons like a pro.

I'll have to admit, I'm happy to leave the 2s behind.  People have told me that 3 is even worse, but I'm sticking with my contention that Sarah was efficient and got most of her defiance out last year.  She has been much easier to get along with the last couple of months and more even-keeled.  We don't see many hysterics anymore, and she abides by my wishes much more often.  She goes to bed happily now, and usually sleeps soundly for 10-11 hours, which is a dream-come-true. 

The new challenge that appeared right around her birthday is back-talk.  She likes to tell us, "Don't say that!" and "Go away!"  I've put the "Show Respect" magnet on the responsibility chart, and it's the only one she hasn't gotten a magnet for.  :/