Happy 3rd for Tanner and Reid

I know we always say this when our kids have birthdays, but for some reason, it seems so crazy to me that these boys are three! Just this last week I was at the library and saw a mom who reminded me of myself not long ago. She was wearing her workout clothes (hopefully she got the workout in!), but hadn't showered, her hair was pulled back in a pony tail and she had no makeup on. She had a baby on her hip, a baby crawling on the floor, and a two-year-old trying to be independent at the drinking fountain. We chatted for a few minutes and then I looked at my boys each carrying their own library bags and filling them up by themselves and I was in shock at how grown up and independent they are. They're potty trained, they dress themselves, put on their own shoes and coats, they can do top buckles in their car seats, and love to salt their own food. They have their own thoughts and ideas and sure to express them. They ride bikes, use scissors, shoot hoops, and love when dad gives them a football play to run. They're not babies anymore.

Part of me loves this! Part of me wants to run through the house screaming, "We're growing up, we're moving on, I don't have three kids in diapers anymore!" And yet, there is a part of me that wants to freeze time with these little people in our home. Someday they'll be gone

and have families of their own and I'll miss our little family, I'll miss the funny things they say, the chaos, the messy faces, and sweeping the floor at least three times a day! I'll miss Reid saying, "Mom...I love you so much!" just out of the blue. I'll miss Tanner asking to "help" make breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Until then, I'm doing my best to enjoy these little people.

We had a great few days celebrating T&R's 3rd birthday. We started Sunday night with dinner, cake, and presents with Nana (who happened to be in town), Grandma and Grandpa, and Adam and Meghan.

These boys love games and were so excited with their new games from Nana and Papa!
Grandma and Grandpa had a surprise gift that T&R had to close their eyes for. I thought it was so cute that they really closed their eyes and waited for the OK to open them.
They were VERY excited with the gift of a new basketball hoop! The hoop has been enjoyed by the whole family and many visitors as well.How many Christensens does it take to put together a basketball hoop? Ha! These guys were hilarious!

I got sick the week before T&R's birthday and was also hosting Girls' Weekend. Mom C. could tell I was going to kill myself trying to do it all, so she offered to make birthday cakes. Grandma made Reid's and Grandpa made Tanner's, what lifesavers! It was so very kind of them to do this and I was so incredibly grateful!

Reid checking out their new aquarium night light with his new bball by his side.
Monday was their actual birthday and it was fun for them to go to preschool and take treats to their classmates and get their birthday hats and a toy from the wonderful Ms. Roper.
The day only got better with a trip to BYU's candy counter (one of our frequent and most favorite activities)!We spent some time racing up and down a grassy hill on campus, they were in heaven!

Amelia was all tuckered out from all the birthday excitement and napped on the go...again.

That evening, we had dinner and then Tanner and Reid opened their gifts from us. They were so excited about getting their own laptops! Just look at Tanner's face and body- he was so excited!After that, Adam came over and was so cute to set up a scavenger hunt for the boys to find a gift and some candy he had brought them. It was so sweet of him and the boys loved it.

I think the birthday celebrations were just perfect and the boys are so excited and proud to say that they're three!