Our beautiful little Southern Belle turned 4 years old on Monday, November 7th. She is our one and only "Carolina Girl," and I can still remember like it was yesterday heading to my very last doctor's appointment, and calling Jon at work to tell them they'd made the decision to induce me at 37 weeks. There I was, laying in a hospital bed, having contractions, and watching the results of the 2012 presidential election on TV while waiting for this little lady to make her arrival!
Fast forward four years later and here she is! Miss Leah Gene, aka "Wee Wees," aka "Shortcut." Lucy helped me wrap all the presents the night before and Leah couldn't wait to start opening them the moment she woke up!
Jon had been in Las Vegas from Thursday thru Sunday for a dental conference, so he arrived back for the birthday party just in time. We were sure happy to have him home after a long weekend for mommy!
Surprise!! Just kidding-- actually, it wasn't a surprise at all because although we ran to Costco while she was at preschool to pick up this My Little Pony castle, we forgot to take it out of the trunk (eye roll, eye roll) and when I went to pick Lucy and Zach up from school of course she ended up seeing it. Sigh. Oh well! She was still thrilled.
The kids always get to pick a special birthday breakfast, and she picked hot chocolate, donuts, bananas, and scrambled eggs. She was too busy playing with her toys to eat it though.
After dropping Lucy and Zach off at school, we headed to the gym where Leah proudly announced to everyone we saw that today was her birthday! Most people congratulated her, but there was this grumpy old guy out in the parking lot who ignored her, and she waves him and down and says, "Hey Man. It's my birthday today, you know!" She totally cracks me up. After the gym we headed straight to the Disney Store at the mall so she could spend the birthday money that both sets of grandparents sent! Can you say "shopping spree??" Look at that smile!
She requested a Rapunzel cake, so I did my best to oblige.
That evening she changed into her party dress and we headed over to Chuck E Cheese to celebrate the Wee Wees! She had never been there and wasn't super excited about it, but we just kept telling her how much she would like and what a treat she was in for!
And she loved it! It being a Monday night and all, we had the place to ourselves. The kids played all kinds of games and earned tickets and met the mouse himself.
Leah loved all the little rides and she got to do as many as she wanted.
The Colorado cousins met us there for the party, and Jon got baby holding duty while the moms kept track of the kids.
Pizza and soda pop for the birthday girl's dinner!
Leah had been waiting for this moment ALL DAY LONG. Finally time to blow out the candles and eat her Rapunzel birthday cake! Happy Birthday Leah!
Make a wish!! She had an awesome birthday and kept saying throughout the day, "This is the best day ever!" I'm so happy we got to celebrate this little 4 year old's special day!
I often say Leah is the "spice" in our family. She came out of the womb with a HUGE personality-- she cried the most, exasperated us the most, and pushed me to my mommy-limits the most. She is still just as feisty as ever, spunky, and strong-willed-- but has a huge love of life. She is the child who probably makes me the most frustrated at times, but who equally makes me laugh and smile at her antics. After 4 years of being her mom, I've learned Leah just has to do things in her own time. I can't force her to do what I want her to do, she has to choose it, and I love that about her. She is definitely one of the strong spirits that Heavenly Father saved to come down to Earth at this time, and I know she is going to be amazing at whatever she does. We love her SO much and are so thankful this little spitfire is in our family forever!
