Happiness is …
… a rainy afternoon spent playing on Mummy and Daddy’s bed.
Eva’s 3rd Birthday Party Inspiration
Time is moving far too quickly. It’s hard to believe that soon Eva will be turning three!
It might seem strange that I’m already planning Eva’s birthday party, which isn’t for another two months, but by the time her birthday rolls around, we’ll have a newborn in the house — my due date is May 11 and Eva’s birthday is the 23rd!
And in some ways it might seem crazy that we’re planning to have a party at all; however, I’m very conscious of making Eva feel special once the baby boy is here. Skipping her birthday is not an option.
As much as I’d love to go all out with a fun birthday theme like a vintage circus or a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, I’m trying to be realistic about what will be achievable. So we’re going back to basics. As far as Eva knows, birthdays are about an awesome cake with candles, lots of balloons and party hats.
I’ve already purchased some “Happy” wrapping paper from Kikki K, which along with the geometric pattern, the colours will be the inspiration for decorations. I’ll order party hats from etsy, buy a silver
“3” and confetti balloons, and my mother-in-law will make a two-tiered banana cake, as requested by Eva. Along with a few classic party games, the party will be short and sweet with the focus on the cutting of the cake!
Details and photo credits can be found on my Pinterest pin board.
{Another} Rainy Day
Feeling a combination of waterlogged and cabin fever, we chanced the rain to spend Sunday afternoon exploring the city. Autumn is already upon us and the change in weather is just another reminder of the changes that are about to happen as our family of three expands to four.
Like I’ve written about before, I worry about how these changes will impact Eva. Already, I’m feeling pangs of guilt as my growing belly stops me from interacting with Eva normally — I no longer have the energy for long trips to the park, carrying Eva is only reserved for “must” situations and our mummy-daughter day trips are now few and far between. I hate that I have to say “I can’t” whenever she wants me to carry her and I hate that I don’t have the energy to run around with her.
Slowly Eva is becoming more attach and reliant on Johnny and less on me. I love watching their relationship grow — seeing them dance around the living room or Eva enthusiastically calling out “Daddy, you’re Buzz and I’m Woody” as soon as he walks in the door from work to reenact another Toy Story rescue scenario. “Mummy, you’re tired. Sit down,” is my relegated role.
And as I watch them run around the house having a blast, I am a bit jealous. Or maybe hurt. Or maybe I am just tired after all. And I have heartburn. And Braxton-Hicks. Ugh.
“A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2013.”
9/52
“Grown-Up”
…………………………………………………………………….
Eva rarely wears headbands, but the other day whilst rummaging through her jar of hair accessories, she stumbled across this one. As soon as she put it on, I had flashbacks of a six-month-old Eva.
It’s going by too quickly.
The Case of the Runaway Stroller
What Eva Wore: Sailor Tee and Bubble Skirt (similar) — CrewCuts, Silver Mary Jane Shoes — Seed
Rainy Day Games
While it has been looking rather gloomy outside, we’ve been captivated by all things colourful!
Eva Lilly — 33 Months Old
“I’m having fun! I’m on an adventure!”
Shouted multiple times at the top of her lungs while tearing around the living room on a toy tricycle, this is Eva’s new motto. Followed up very shortly with the perennial favourite, “Again! Again!”
In the last month or so, Eva has started to be just that little be more adventuresome, just that little bit braver, and just that little bit less cautious. Whether it is climbing up the equipment at the playground or exploring the park, Eva is more and more willing to do things on her own without Johnny or me as hovering back-up.
The other big change is more subtle, but sometime recently Eva crossed that line from a babbling toddler to a story-telling, opinion-expressing little girl. It’s as if her ability to express herself has been a dimmer switch being slowly turned up. And it’s only when I think back to Christmas time that I realise just how much more articulate she is now and that we have whole conversations about this or that.
It makes me wonder, just 3 months from now, how much more grown up is she going to be? It’s such a bittersweet thought.
Favourite Books: Oliver Jeffers’ Stuck, Green Eggs and Ham, Fox in Socks, I’m Not Sleepy and I Won’t Go to Bed, Where the Wild Things Are, The Three Billy Goats Gruff, A Proper Little Lady, Room on the Broom
Favourite TV Shows: Charlie and Lola, Peppa Pig, Play School
Favourite Movies: Toy Story, Kung Fu Panda
Favourite Toys: Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, & Woody acting out various rescue scenarios, Hop (her plush rabbit), her plastic toy barn animals
Favourite foods: sushi, inari, avocados, banana bread, apples, nuts, bananas, yogurt
Favourite Colour: Red
“A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2013.”
8/52
“Imaginary Play”
Hello!
All images & content are © 2010-2013 Happiness is Eva. Please do not take personal images without written permission.
Features
Seen Here
Apartment Therapy -- Best Kids Parties: Pretty in Pink
Apartment Therapy -- Eva's Playroom
Little Sooti -- Pretty in Pink Party
Spearmint Baby -- Pretty in Pink 1st Birthday Party
Dear Baby Magazine -- Letters to Eva (pp 68-71)
