Birthday Weekend

It came and it couldn't have been better. Laney's 3rd birthday party was Saturday (August 15) at our house with the theme "The Wizard of Oz." It was so fun to decorate and prepare for it. Kevin and I both took off work on Friday so we could make sure that everything was perfect. The outside of our house is where the house landed on the Wicked Witch of the West and the beginning of the Land of Oz, which is Munckinland ... complete with the rainbow (that you had to go "over"), a yellow brick road, ruby red slippers and lollipops.


Inside was the flower field Dorothy, the Lion, the Tinman and the Scarecrow run through to get to the Emerald City.


The Emerald City began at the back doors which were covered with shiny green curtains and green balloons. The outside activities made up the Emerald City.


This birthday was so very fun. All the kids and parents had a blast. She is so blessed to have so many wonderful people in her life that cares about her. She got a lot of fabulous presents and lots of love.


On Sunday, her birthday, we went to Rod's Pizza for lunch then she and I went for her first Mani/Pedi's and she loved doing that. (She loves it when I do it too!) Then we went to the lake house and swam and ate a yummy dinner.


She is growing so quickly. But I am embracing all the changes and the phases that are ahead. I am not afraid of them I want to be ready for them, I want to be excited for them and I want to encourage them. It's what growing up is all about ... and Laney growing up (everyday) shows me what we have instilled in her ... we are shaping her into the woman she will one day be. We can't wait to see what she will become in the Lord.

Where oh where did my Laney go? Oh where oh where ...

Some things I do as a mommy give me so much pride. Sometimes its little things and sometimes big things. This week I made a mad dash home at lunch. I knew I had to stop at the store for black elastic first. I did that ate a quick lunch then got to sewing. Laney started dance class this week and her tap shoes needed to be attached with elastic ... that just won't do for my honey. I had to add some pink and black zebra print ribbon to the elastic. Sewing that up gave me so much happiness as a mommy. I never thought I would be so excited to do something so small for my daughter.
I have to say how very excited I am about her dancing. It was always such a passion of mine and I hope she finds the joy in it that I did and still do (just in a different way). Me and Kevin were so proud of her at her class we both went, watched and took pictures. She is growing so fast, but I love the changes and phases.

IT WAS AWFUL! She hated it! She didn't mind, she cried ... let me rephrase she screamed! She was NOT my child, I promise, I am not just saying that, but seriously she didn't act like my child. I made her stay in there crying and having a horrible time. Kevin was so embarrassed he went and waited in the car. Thank goodness that came and went quickly ... and it's funny looking at the above pics you wouldn't have known what kind of experience we really had!

So, here we are and last night was our 3rd class and she loves it. She did get moved to different class with more kids (which I am glad for) and she is really learning, she can tell you and demonstrate a plié, relevé and tendu. I thank Jesus he gave me MY CHILD back! I love her in dance and love that it is one of the many things we can share. I am constantly going over the terms and demonstrating them for her ... thank you for Jesus for my knowledge.

Interview with my Daughter

This was a cute idea one of my facebook friends did with their son so I decided to do it and put it on here!

Interview with Laney Nicole Bryant 2 yrs. old ... but almost 3 yrs. old.

1. What is something mom always says to you? No, no

2. What makes mom happy? Clean up my play room

3. What makes mom sad? Don't clean up my play room

4. How does your mom make you laugh? Tickel me

5. What was your mom like as a child? A little boy

6. How old is your mom? I don’t know

7. How tall is your mom? Like bigger

8. What is her favorite thing to do? Make me happy

9. What does your mom do when you're not around? Make me happy

11. What is your mom really good at? Good at daddy

12. What is your mom not very good at? Making me sad

13. What does your mom do for her job? Eat lunch

14. What's your mom's favorite food? Salad

15. What makes you proud of your mom? Just because I love you

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? Nothing

17. What do you and your mom do together? Play play dough

18. How are you and your mom the same? We both wear dresses

19. How are you and your mom different? We’re pretty

20. How do you know your mom loves you? I love you too

I spend my life preparing

I am currently supposed to be cleaning the house (while Kevin is cleaning outside) however I had a urge to write, so here I am. I spend so much of my life preparing ... its one of the things that makes me me (and thank goodness my family is okay with it), spend weeks or days preparing for things ... small and large things, trips, grocery store trips, weekends, holiday's. Speaking of holiday's ... we are fast approaching one of my very favorites ... LANEY'S BIRTHDAY! I love it, I do turn it into a holiday. Preparation for this particular holiday have been in full swing since June. Yes, that's right June ... I know I know she is only three and won't remember ... I don't really care if she will remember ... the look and excitement on her face will be so gratifying that two and a half months of preparation will be so worth it. It's so very hard to believe that just 3 short years ago I was preparing for her birth (that was definitely a 9 month preparation) ... had her room ready, the living room ready, the kitchen ready everything was waiting patiently for her arrival ... us too ... we waited and waited and waited, even the day she was born we waited all day and then at about 6:00 p.m. she was born into our world at a
fabulous 20 1/2 inches and 8 lbs and 11 oz. Once she was born I cried as I watch Kevin hold her (I do not regret letting him be the first to hold her one bit) ... I was so beside myself and overcome with joy that all I could do was watch and then after I gained my composure I held that beautiful baby girl that was already the center of my world. I can't even explain the love I have for her and how much it grows daily. She is everything I could have ever asked for in a sweet baby angel girl. She is already my best girlfriend and I know as we continue our journey together my love for her will grow stronger and our bond tighter. So, for her third birthday I am prepared to give her everything she has asked for ... a Wizard of Oz birthday party, complete with a yellow brick road, a witch under a house, lollipops and poppies ... and a PINK GUITAR. I am so very excited for her party and she is too (she is crossing the days off a calendar) and can't wait to see her face and her excitement next Saturday. Preparation is so worth it everytime!