A Weekend Away...

The last weekend of April, our little family spent a little time apart and enjoyed sweet times with others.  Well, poor Steve not so much- he had an ad board in Miami...  But, he really does like Miami and was at least able to enjoy a good phone conversation with his folks one evening while also enjoying a sweet whisky sour from the 25th floor of his hotel- that's gotta count for something! :)

I had a very refreshing time a couple hours north of the city at our church women's retreat in Lake Champion, spending sweet times with the Lord, and good times with friends; Maelee had a blast with Nana & Pop-Pop in VA for a few days. I was even able to get some much needed home organization projects going before and after my retreat while Steve & Maelee were still away.  I missed my girl (and my hubby!) dearly, but did enjoy the "break."  And I'm so thankful for the precious memories my daughter and parents were able to share together- rooftop dinners, running along the river front, a boat ride to and play at the National Harbor, and just being together.

Here are some pics from their visit:

Fun at Alexandria's Market Square...

At home with My Little Ponies

And along the Potomac River...

Boat ride over to the National Harbor...

The crazy statues at the National Harbor!

And one of the highlights of the trip to the Harbor- making her very own bear, Lulu...

Dinner on the roof after a very long, very special day...

  Playing after church

Such sweet times together!  And here's a slideshow of more fun from that special weekend:

And just a couple shots from my retreat:

 

 

Also a very sweet time!  We are so glad everything worked out for all of us that weekend away... 

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 :)