Xiana turns 3!!

Like last year, we had Xiana's birthday party at an indoor swimming pool. She was slightly miffed that she couldn't have it in out backyard with pools like her cousin Kylee did. We had to explain to her that June birthdays and October birthdays are slightly different. Ekco got to come so Xiana was a happy girl!
This year there was no ambulance...
Xiana insisted that she wanted a princess party, but when push came to shove to opted for a caterpillar cake instead... go figure. That's okay. I'm sure there are many princess parties in her future.
The whole fam.
The party had the usual... all her friends, family, cake...
too many presents...
Way too many presents...
and Swimming!!!! This is a perfect party for both Ekco and Xiana as they are little fish and LOVE the water.
It was remarkable to see how much all the kids have grown in a year. Last year Kylee was jumping in all over the place. This year she was swimming!
Last year Rowan could barely touch in the deep side of the kiddie pool... this year he was a full head out of water.
Last year Brian and I were not married or engaged.... this year we are pregnant, bought a house, a new car, and have established a life together.
This year, Xiana plugs her nose... last year, she didn't know any better.
She had a wonderful time with her family and
Friends!
Then, on her actual birthday I let her open her present from Kacie. A few weeks prior to the big day we went to Toys R Us with Kacie. Xiana went back and forth between gifts trying to decide between barbies, dolls, art kits and then, when she found the makeup sets, there was no more indecisiveness. She was dead set on getting makeup and did not waver. So... that's what she got. I didn't let her actually open it until the day of her birthday. I'm pretty sure that according to her it was worth the wait....
She loved it. Plus it kept her occupied for hours.
Then my parents and Garrett came over and Brian made Xiana's special request (homemade spaghetti sauce from tomatoes in the garden and elk burger... delicious) and we had leftover cake.
We got her a frog and the princess music kit which Garrett and Brian were happy to help try out.
They could have started their own band!
Of course we put more candles in the cake. You have to make a birthday wish on your actual birthday!
The makeup went perfectly with the vanity her uncle Kevin got her. She is in girly girl heaven.

Xiana continues to be a social butterfly. She loves to have friends and people around. In the last six months she has FINALLY developed the skill of self entertainment. Instead of following me around the house all day long, she can usually play make believe and do art projects for regular intervals. She bears her testimony every fast Sunday. Her little spirit is growing. She is just as tiny as she has always been, but she's small like dynamite. She is will full and headstrong: two qualities I both dread and commend. She is sensitive and easily gets offended when others aren't as aggressively social as she is. She loves play group. She thrives on her new preschool. She never ceases to amaze me with her intelligence. She counts everything and has just recently taken to counting in Spanish. She is confident and loved. She seeks justice in all things and regularly explains why something is or is not fair. She loves to read books, watch Dora, Barney, and Sesame Street. She loves to sing. She reminds us every night to read scriptures. She has been saying her own prayers for a long time. She is insightful and perceptive. She recognizes hurt in others and tries to make people happy. She is a joy (most of the time). Her spirit is strong and she is dedicated to living a full life. I'm so grateful that 3 years ago she joined me on this earth. I genuinely don't know where I would be without her.