Lena is THREE!

When Elsa turned three, I wrote in this very blog that we now had a "threenager." I don't think I really understood that term until now. Like her sister did before her, Lena experiences all the mood swings that are a part of learning how to navigate all her big feelings, but she also has perfected the crossed-arms-huff-and-pout I wasn't expecting for at least another decade.

Lena has always been a girl who knows what she wants and needs. I believe the nice term for this stubbornness is "strong-willed." I have heard that this trait results in confident and competent young adults, so I'll continue to look forward to that pay-off in the future. In the meantime, we will weather the tantrums and enjoy the individual style and personality of Lena-bo-bena.

And what style she has! Lena has been choosing her own attire for a while now, and it is always interesting to see what outfits she comes up with it. I have started dubbing her look "bag lady chic." How else to describe a dress layered over a tank top and leggings with a tutu and sweater on top? Add the ever-present hand to her hip, and you have one sassy lady.

This has been a fun and busy year for Lena. She has continued at her same preschool two days a week and still accompanies me to my class at the adult education center and to Stroller Strides work-outs. There have been some changes, however. We transitioned out of Kindermusik classes last spring in anticipation of ballet, and our weekly playgroup ended when all of the older siblings started school full-time this fall. But we've still managed to have lots of fun with our friends and are very thankful for all of our little communities.

Speaking of ballet, Lena began classes of her very own this winter. The expression of pure joy on her face when we told her she would get to join Big Sis at the studio made it very clear that this was the perfect gift for our little twinkle toes. Not even a broken collarbone can keep her down.

That's right, Lena has a broken collarbone...again. I have failed to mention a very notable event of the past year. Last spring, Lena slipped while on a canoeing adventure and fractured her collarbone. First ER visit and first broken bone all at once. We were understandably worried about how she would handle her injury, but Lena took it like a champ. If she hadn't been wearing a sling, no one would have even known she was hurt. And a few short weeks later, she was good as new. Let's hope her recovery is just as quick this second time.

Fortunately, Lena made it through her birthday unscathed (the repeat broken collarbone just happened last week). She had been looking forward to January 19th for some time; as soon as the calendar turned over to January, Lena was convinced it was her birthday. 19 days is a long time for a little one to wait, so I think it was okay that the celebrations began early with mini-parties at school and Stroller Strides. It will not surprise anyone to know that Lena wore a jeweled crown at both.

Since her actual birthday fell on a Saturday this year, we filled the day with as much fun as we could.  Lena kicked off the festivities with ballet class after a delicious breakfast of scrambled eggs, her favorite.

Scrambled eggs in style

After ballet, some friends came over for a party complete with the "cupcakes with pink frosting" she requested. I'm so glad I didn't stress over the perfect birthday outfit because the guest of honor changed clothes at least seven times. You never know when you might need to wear a fancy dress-up gown for twirling, or exercise clothes for jumping on the couch cushions, or a swimsuit for "swimming lessons" in the living room, or a new dress and birthday headband for blowing out the candles on a cake. If someone running around in her underwear is the sign of a good party, then it was definitely a good party.

After settling down from all the birthday excitement, Lena got to open some special gifts from family far away (thank you!) and participate in the requisite sheep photo shoot.

Poor abused sheep

Per the birthday girl's request, we then went out for tacos. I'm pretty sure she just wanted to eat the chips that came out before the meal, but special occasion rules were strictly enforced and no one seemed to mind. The birthday girl book-ended her day with phone/FaceTime calls with family and went to bed a very exhausted, yet satisfied, three-year-old.

Happy Birthday, Lena! Let the adventure continue!