And our little girl turns THREE!

First baby made three, now she's turned three!!!  And certainly not a baby anymore.  Really more like 3 going on 13- whew!  It has been quite a year.  We still love her beyond words, of course, but that little streak of feistyness that we caught glimpses of in her 2nd year sure developed full-blown this past year!  It's amazing how the same little person can at one moment bring so much joy, then in the next moment so much frustration...

But, we shall focus on the joyous moments for now, as we celebrated this little lady who is both a bit of a fire cracker, and a lot of sunshine :) Below are some pics from the birthday party and the actual birthday.

Our sweet girl had her big party a little early this year as Nana & Pop-Pop were up to both celebrate her and support her mama with my recital on the 14th.  Shortly after they arrived that Saturday, Maelee was ready to tear into one of the big gifts...

A castle!

She loved it :)

Then, later that afternoon, we headed to the beautiful Bryant Park in midtown to celebrate NYC style with several of her closest friends. Including the many animals of the carousel...

Animals on poles so why not snacks on sticks?!

Having a blast

Make a wish!

With pals Chloe & Marissa

And pals Peyton & Perri

Cupcakes and carousel rides- such a fun time celebrating our girl!

Slideshow of the birthday party:

Enjoying the delicious cupcake cake-pop favor afterward

Special pancakes made together with daddy on the birthday morning

Smitten with her "Doraemon" kitty purse from Uncle Dan in Japan!

Enjoying mini cupcake snacks at her "class" with more good pals

(yes, sporting a birthday crown!)

Loving her new put-together-take-apart airplane from Aunt Kim!

Excited for the new kitchen!

Ending the day with pizza and cupcakes with close friends - the cupcakes barely made the stroller ride! :)

But Maelee didn't mind :)

 Great end to a great day!

And finally, admiring her new Tahitian black pearl form Mee-Maw & Grandpa's recent trip

Slideshow of more 3rd birthday fun:

All in all, I think our girl enjoyed the celebrations! A "year in review" post to come eventually :)

Love is Brewing...

On Sunday, April 14th, my friend Dustin and I presented a recital complete with an afternoon tea reception to benefit an organization that Steve and I strongly support called  Love146 (love146.org).   It took an awful lot of planning, practicing, rehearsing, and organizing, along with the incredible help of LOTS of amazing friends and volunteers (and a super sweet hubby, incredibly supportive parents, and a sometimes tolerant daughter!) to pull off.  Would love for you to check out their website and spread the word, and even donate (love146.org/donate) if you feel so led.  Otherwise, please check out some facts below, and give a listen if you have the time.

Love is Brewing 
A Benefit Recital with Afternoon Tea

Rebecca Metheny Mason, flute

Dustin Seay, bassoon

Christine Pulliam, piano

• It is estimated that at least 27 million people are currently enslaved around the world
• 2 children per minute are trafficked for sexual exploitation/slavery                                                           
• The trafficking of human beings is the second most lucrative crime in the world
• Every year at least 1.2 million children are estimated to be trafficked around the world  
• 45,000-50,000 persons are estimated to be trafficked into the U.S. each year, and of this, 15,000 to 17,500 are children, forced to participate in commercial sexual exploitation
• In the first 48 hours of being on the street,1 in 3 children are lured into prostitution
   
  
  

  And below are the links to youtube where you can listen:

http://youtu.be/BmvnQmHWsnw

(intro to program, just talking)

Children’s Corner, for Flute and Bassoon

Claude Debussy (1862-1918)           
 I.   Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum                                                                                                          
 II.  Jumbo’s Lullaby                                                                                                              
III. Serenade of the Doll
V. The Little Shepherd
VI. Golliwogg’s Cake Walk

http://youtu.be/iH4E5pU2qrk

(Debussy)

Sonata in C Major, for Bassoon and Piano

Francesco Geminiani (1687-1762)
 I.   Andante                                                                                                                                 
II.  Allegro
III. Affetuoso
IV. Allegro

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMqBxJt9w84

(Geminiani) 

Sonata Appassionata in F# Minor,  for Solo Flute                                                                     
Sigfrid Karg-Elert (1877-1933)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H47vr1mmGTI           

(Karg-Elert)

Fantasia in F Major, for Solo Bassoon                                                                       
Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767)
 I.   Largo - II.   Allegro                                                                                                              
Fantasia in A Minor
I.   Allegro - II.   Presto

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3C9hYBzMJNU          

(Telemann)

Serenade for Flute and Piano                                                                                                         
Howard Hanson (1896-1981)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rn1KFRb2xns           

(Hanson)

Bachianas Brasileiras No. 6, for Flute and Bassoon                                                                      
Heitor Villa-Lobos (1887-1959)
 I.   Aria (Chôro)                                                                                                                        
II.  Fantasia

http://youtu.be/_dnLzPedB0Y

(Villa-Lobos)

Some pics of the beautiful spread after the recital:

It was an exhausting but rewarding day and we are so grateful for those who came out to help raise over $500 for the cause!