Happy 3rd Birthday Harper Elizabeth!

This year, we talked about Harper's birthday for weeks.  When it was close, we counted down "sleeps" until it would be here.  When it finally came, she was so excited!  She wanted to tell everyone she saw that it was her birthday and she was three!  We made pancakes in an "H" and a "3" for breakfast which she specifically requested.  It is her favorite breakfast.  Then, we had a doctor's appointment for her 3 year well visit.  Sadly, she had to get a shot and the nurse tried to be quick about it but ended up scaring Harper half to death.  She was a bit grumpy after that but still remembered to ask for a sucker.  After that, we had lunch at Taco Cabana, which she requested for her favorite meal of tortillas.  Lots of tortillas.  Buddy and Serena came over for dinner, which was chicken pot pie, her absolute favorite food.  She asks for it all the time.  And we finished off some more cupcakes from her party, which she is always willing to eat of course.  She got to open a few presents, one from us, one from the Hempkins', and one from the Long's.  She loved everything she got, especially because most of it was Frozen stuff.  I really think she had the best birthday.  She laughed and giggled all day and never seemed to stop smiling!

She was exactly 36 inches tall and weighed 30 lbs.  She is 30% and 40%, respectively.  She has definitely hit her threes, and not all in a bad way.  She is a bit more demanding, wanting to be independent and know everything.  She hates when she asks me a question and I have to tell her "I don't know."  She gets mad, like I'm just not telling her the answer.  She is the epitome 1st child, bossy, know it all, likes to help everyone and tell them how they are supposed to do it.  She is an on/off good eater, it just depends on the day or the meal.  She is an on/off good sleeper.  We hit a snag in the month of June where she was getting scared of the dark at night and telling us there were scary things in her room.  She would be up for 1-2 hours each night crying and yelling and not sleeping.  After a few weeks, we were exhausted and out of patience.  We tried everything, including dolls, toys, and crying it out.  We finally bought a night light and that has saved us.  It is bright in there and she isn't scared anymore.  Plus, we leave her door open and I think she doesn't feel so alone.  Other than that, life is pretty good.  She is talking, dancing, singing, playing a ton.  She still says a few funny things... "Hey (clap)" to get attention.  "I not funny/silly/turkey.  I Harper." "Her my fwamilwy."  She loves to watch funny dog videos on youtube with Cody.  It's their thing together.  She likes to be pushed on her swing set outside.  She likes to tell us what shape or letter her poops look like.  She likes butter, plain.  She likes to read, all the time.  She stalls for bedtime by praying for lots of people, and it always works.  She likes to type on the computer.  She likes to play at the beach in the sand and swim in the water.  She loves to FaceTime with her family.  She loves to play Barbie and change their clothes 100 times.  She is a great kid and we love her a ton.  Happy 3rd Birthday Harper Elizabeth Hempkins!

The Aftermath

Around 7, most of her friends had left and mostly all that was left was family and a few others.  The night was winding down but we were actually still having fun.  We all pulled up chairs and sat in a big circle and just talked.  It was so nice to just sit and enjoy the company.  Harper finally came over and we decided to open her presents.  She got some Frozen books from the Hunts.  A tennis racket from the Spiegels.  An Elsa wand from the Longs.  And a new Razor scooter from Mimi, Pop, Taylor and Carleigh.  She is really good at thanking people for their gifts and giving big hugs.  The kids kept playing, but somehow tried to all play in the little kiddie house together.  

After awhile, my parents wanted to ride the four wheeler.  I'm not quite sure how this happened, but it did.  Cody gave them a few basic tips and off they went.  My mom had a rough start but I think they enjoyed it.  

While I was busy watching my mom on the four wheeler, I missed Harper getting naked.  Of course.  She had gotten cranky and tired during the middle of her party and Kara had changed her from her bathing suit to clothes.  Suddenly, she wanted to play in the water, so panties it was.  And of course, she just squatted and peed in the grass.  I am ok with it, but I guess we usually just do it in private.  Reesey joined Harper in the late night water tarp.  They just ran around and played.  Those two are such crazies.   

Let them eat cake

I love these first few pictures.  She looks so happy!  She loved everyone singing Happy Birthday to her.  You could tell she felt so special.  She finally figured out the birthday thing this year and really enjoys it.  She likes to know who's birthday is next, which is fun because there are 12 family birthdays during the summer.  She will randomly sing Happy Birthday to people and bring them a gift (a toy or something).  So since it was her birthday, she loved every minute of being the center for the day.  

As she was finishing her cupcake, Grayson came over and asked to sit by Harper while he ate his dinner.  I absolutely love that the cousins truly love each other, even if they fight like normal family.  And then there's sweet Reese, in the background being her happy self, eating her 15th piece of watermelon.  I love that she is almost always so smiley and happy!

After cupcakes, Cody got all the kids on the four wheeler trailer and took them for a ride around the pasture.  The kids all jumped on, so excited!  Katharine and I went along since some of the kids were were a little young.  Most of the kids had a blast.  Cody went slow but it was still fun to see them taking in the pond, the animals, the land, etc.  Grayson kept yelling for Cody to go slow, and he had that smile on his face that was both happy and pure terror.  But afterwards, he was happy so I guess it was worth it.  

I will admit that she ate four cupcakes that day and not much else.  Two before the party and two during the party, although the second one was all Aunt Krissy.  She then helped Pop eat his cupcake, although I think she got more on him that he would have without the help.