THREE

Our sweet Camille Grace is three years old! 

My heart if overwhelmed with feelings of love and nostalgia as I look back at the last three years of this little girl's life.  She brings laughter, silliness, and tenderness to our family in such special ways.  When the environment is tense or stressful, her countenance almost immediately reflects that with tears and a desire to be held and hugged.  When the atmosphere is happy and peaceful, she cheers, jumps up and down and just revels in that.  It's awesome.  :)

Camille is an encourager.  When Dan is building something, when Hannah Reece is making an art project, when Graham is tying his shoes, when I'm in the kitchen preparing a meal, she's right there cheering "Go ______ Go! Go _______ Go!"  She has this sensitivity to know what we struggle most with and is so eager to come alongside and hug, kiss and encourage us.  

Camille, you are such a blessing to our family.  In you, I see the tender heart of God towards his children.  Your smile lights up a room.  (Those dimples!!)  It's easy to see when your "love tank" is empty and I'm grateful for that.  You remind me to be present, to enjoy the moment, to take time to express my love for you.  Your cheerful heart and good nature is such a "lift" and a joy to all of us!  We love you, precious girl!!

At age three Camille:

-can reach the light + fan switches

-can climb up on the potty by herself with a little white step-stool

-wears a size 3T in bottoms, 4T in tops and an 8 1/2 in shoes

-is excited to be a big sister to "Livia Kate" and regularly sweet talks and sings to her (Hush Little Baby)

-enjoys black beans + rice, ice cream, gummy fruit snacks, corn chips, oatmeal, yogurt, carrot souffle, smoothies and does not like meat, eggs or veggies.  Girl's got a sweet tooth!

-loves to color and paint

-enjoys dressing up and being a princess

-sleeps in her own bed sometimes, but still prefers momma and daddy's bed (working on that!)

-has demonstrated a few temper tantrum (meltdown's)  ususally when she's tired or over-stimulated

-loves hanging out with her big brother and sister

Birthday interview questions:

How old are you?  Holds three fingers up (three)

Who is your best friend?  Taylor (Bunt)

What's your favorite thing to do?  I love when daddy throws me up in the air and gives me sugars (big smile)

What's your favorite food? "umm, let's see...." yogurt and strawberries and hot chocolate"

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A few more pics from Millie's birthday:

Camille LOVES to jump.  She jumps when she's happy, she jumps when she's sad and she really goes to town on the trampoline in our backyard.  :)  So when we were trying to thing of something fun to do as a family for her birthday, we were excited to surprise her and take her to Pump it Up.  It has several rooms FULL of bounce houses, mazes and slides.  

We got there, bought the kids wristbands and were ready for two hours of jump-a-palooza.  And this is how the birthday girl felt about Pump It Up:

 I think maybe it was too dark, too many kids, too much noise? Whatever it was, it was a no go.  So Daddy took her to the party store to pick out paper goods for her family party later that night, and I stayed and watched Graham and Hannah Reece jump, climb and slide to their heart's content for the next to hours!

 Nana has a tradition with the kids that she takes them clothes shopping for their birthdays.  The girls especially get into this, and it was fun to see what Camille picked.  She picked some really cute outfits with Nana, mostly pinks, purples, tulle, sparkles and frills.  Here's her very favorite outfit from Gymboree, complete with pink princess sparkle shoes a matching headband and bracelet.  I'm pretty sure she took it off about two days later when I insisted that it was time for she and her outfit to have a bath!  :)

 Graham: age 9, Hannah Reece: age 6 1/2 and Camille: age 3

Same day, new outfit, plus her princess birthday crown that she and Daddy picked out at the party store.

 Daddy has decided that three is the inaugural age for "real" Lego sets.  :)  Camille was so excited to play with her Friends Lego pool! Hannah Reece decided she would put it together for Mill and she did! :)

 Millie + Emma

Some of Millie's birthday gifts:

a new hat, mini magnadoodle, sticker sets, Cinderella duplo carriage, hairbands, clothes, some seed-starter kits (which are growing on the lanai!) and crafty supplies