Elvis Blogs - Elvis McNeely

Last week my daughter had a birthday, her third birthday. I'm just not getting around to writing about it, things have been hectic.

My wonderful wife enjoys cooking and hosting for these types of events. She really lights up when she is hosting and serving others. Last year during my daughter's birthday my wife went a little bit overboard with the amount of food she felt was needed. This year she did a much better job at estimated food quantity. And this year Stela's birthday, in my opinion, went much smoother as well - even though there were a lot more kids at the party. And on top of that the kids were at our house. Yikes! Last year we ended up having Stela's birthday party at our church.

It was really fun to see the kids get involved in the activities. My wife had planned an activity session where the kids would sit down at a table and decorate an apron, a cooking apron. She actually handmade these aprons and then chose these girly type of items to clue onto the apron. It was a really good idea. What I really enjoyed the most, ironically, was the hectic-ness; the kids looking around at each other trying to decide what they're supposed to be doing. And then the adults and parents bending over to this small table, just for kids, to gives glue or to put glue on the small girly items or just to help them pressed the items in to the apron. I kind of wish I had a video camera rolling to capture that. It's not very often that I say that I enjoy a hectic environment. But on that day I did.

Two weeks prior to my daughter's birthday we were constantly telling her that she would be turning three soon and what that meant. I think she already had somewhat of the concept down prior, before her second birthday, but I think she really nailed it this year. It is really funny to hear her say all the time that she's a big girl now. We are slowly working with to try to get the idea that mommy and daddy do not have to be around all the time, that Stela can be by herself from time to time. I think we still have a long ways to go before she's independent from us; sleeping alone, staying in the toddler center at church by herself, able to focus at gymnastic class without constantly checking to see if mommy and daddy are around etc. etc. etc.

Three years have passed and so many more to come. It's hard to believe what three years can do to you, how many laughs that three years can contain, how many joyous moments, and how many frustrating and testing moments and how many prayers pleading with God to give you the strength and wisdom and the patience to be the parent that our child needs and in all that to honor Him in all that we do. God help us!