Part of the fun of being a parent is creating traditions and memories for your kids. I hope for Hailey’s and Kaitlyn’s memories of birthdays to be times of family joy and celebration. Not overblown per se, but I want them to remember that we always tried to make the day a little bit more special than the rest. Now that Hailey is three, she understands SO much, so I really wanted to make her third birthday exciting for her.
I woke her up singing happy birthday (I’ll spare you the video of that one), and her grin proved to me she was giddy about her birthday from the moment her feet hit the floor. I tried to keep the morning business as usual, being that we had to make it to school, but squeezed in time for a quick birthday photo shoot.
At school she got a birthday crown and extra attention which had her exhausted by the time she got home. After a good long nap, the fun really began!
David worked it out to be home early so we all sat and opened presents, stopping to play with each one in between. Her excitement just grew with gift and card.
By the way, some great three year old gift ideas include a wooden tool set, an art easel, nail stickers, a light up fishing pole with the fish on the end and giant cardboard houses to draw on!
We all got to sit down to dinner together, which is incredibly rare with the schedules around here. I look forward to more family dinners one day.
Then, it was birthday cake time!
We split the giant cupcake three ways and Hailey devoured hers before begging to go play some more. David took off with her while I put Kaitlyn down. Sweet thing just couldn’t handle the excitement.
We ended up staying up an hour past bed time, all in the playroom ‘working’ on her new house with her new tool set before finally tearing her away for bath and stories.
And just like that, my toddler was a toddler no more. Welcome to the preschool years my sweet Hailey!
And now for those that do like videos, I have to share this with you. I interviewed Hailey twice, pieced it together and here’s what I got! I look forward to do this every birthday to keep these sweet memories for always.
Corinne says
The video is adorable! Love that she wants to be a mermaid when she grows up :)!
Sonya says
aww, loved this! cannot believe how grown up she is!
Sherry says
That is absolutely adorable!! She is such a little girl now and my little girl is such a terrific mom! Wish I had foresight to do birthday interviews:)
Sarah@creatingbettertomorrow says
I absolutely love that you do this – such a precious way to capture wonderful memories HAPPY BIRTHDAY HAILEY
Lauren K says
SO sweet! I can’t wait to celebrate birthdays when we have kids. I am not big into celebrating my own (don’t like the attention), but with kids you can just see their joy in celebrating! What sweet memories!
Brittany Dixon says
I used to be BIG on celebrating mine, but it’s totally fallen by the wayside. Kids are so much more fun to celebrate 🙂
Beth says
Love her bow at the end! Too cute! Happy birthday, Hailey!
Tanya says
This is the most precious thing I have ever seen. What a fun idea. And I think the dress was the perfect outfit choice! I am trying to imagine how E will do at 2 years with this idea…better wait til 3!
Brittany Dixon says
I did one at 2 and a half, too, and it was pretty cute, but 3 is definitely a good age to start because they really have their own thoughts!
kaitlyn @ Keeping up with Kaitlyn says
That video was the cutest!! During her “Let it Go” moment when she was really belting it out I nearly spewed coffee onto my computer with your “nailed it” comment! LOL Also I love that she wants to be a mermaid when she grows up! She’s adorable!!
Erica { EricaDHouse.com } says
Bahaha she wins at life.
Karen Cassidy says
Keely and I just got done watching the video!! Love it!!
Haley says
That video was potentially the most precious thing I’ve seen in a long time!!! What a good idea 🙂
Katie says
Happy birthday, Hailey! Question for you, Brittany: I noticed she’s sitting in a PB Anywhere chair, and I’m planning to get my daughter one for Christmas. Is that one the regular size, or the smaller version (“My First Anywhere”)? I can’t decide which one to go with! My Genevieve will be 9 months old in Dec.
Brittany Dixon says
It’s the regular size one! It was a little big for her when she first got it (1st birthday), but we still get a lot of use out of it, so I’d say go big! 🙂
Katie says
Thank you! Decision made 🙂
Jessica @Myhealthypassion.com says
so cute!!! I love her singing, adorable! What precious memories!
Katie says
Her thinking faces are adorable!
Lisa Bowyer says
This video made my morning, so sweet. I love the idea of interviews. Thank you for sharing and Happy Birthday to your sweet Hailey.
Megan says
I would also like to be a mermaid when I grow up, Hailey. Keep dreaming big! 🙂
Micah says
What a great birthday for Hailey!
Btw, what brand are the guard rails for her bed? I need to transition my almost-three-year-old to a big bed. Thanks!
Brittany Dixon says
They are called magic bumpers (http://www.magicbumpers.com/)! Basically foam inserts that you put under the fitted sheet. I’ve also hear of people using pool noodles the same way with success!
RhodeyGirlTests says
Best 5 minutes of my life. That video was hysterical. I can’t wait to do Raffi’s 3 year old interview next week.
My favorite part – her singing let it go so softly and then belting it out after the cut. hysterical.
Also, this is why I had to do my 2.5 year old interview over a few days and not on video – these kids can’t sit still yet hahaha! she’s adorable.
Brittany Dixon says
Will you video R’s?! I’d love to see it! He’s adorable! And three… can you believe it? Didn’t we just have them?
Maria says
So sweet! What a lovely little birthday tradition!
Jen says
Stop it! She is so adorable. Also I had no idea age 3 signaled the end of toddlerhood! I’m off to cry now.
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
This is the cutest thing ever!! I love your videos, especially the ones that feature Hailey. I think the Blue Diamond almond tasting one was my favorite. She knows what she likes! 😉
Alex @ Get Big, Go To Work says
Happy Birthday to Hailey. It looks like you made it one special, memorable day for her. I still remember the things my mom would do for me and my siblings on our day. She is sure to remember those special times.
Christina says
OMG that video! She is absolutely precious. Real talk; I immediately forgot about what you wrote when I was watching the video lol, love it
Kathy says
So sweet!!! They just grow too darn fast! Enjoy all the celebrations!! My youngest turns 16 on Friday (the 19th) so we are celebrating all week and probably the rest of the month! LOL! It’s fun! I wonder if she would do an interview for me??? I’ll get back to you on that. 😉
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Aw, she is adorable! Happy 3rd Birthday to the cutie! XOXO
Brittany from CountingMyCupcakes says
That video is too cute and such a great idea! I hope I remember to do that someday.
Avery says
Three years goes fast!! Is it weird that I totally had that house you can color when I was little? Such a great invention! And stop it. That video. She had me laughing out loud the whole time! What a goose! I love how determined she was to show everyone just how cute her bum is! Haha. Happy Birthday Hailey!
Paula says
She is beyond cute. I loved how she really thought about the questions before she answered them lol.
Erin G. @ Treats and Sneaks says
Loved the video – so adorable!
Jillian @ Baby Doodah! says
Your girls are so so precious!! And absolutely adorable!
I love this interview idea and may very well steal that when Emmett turns 3 in July. Thank you for sharing this post!!
Chantal says
OMG she is the cutest ever. She reminds me of my own 2.5 year old!! I’m going to do an interview for her too, but just write it down and put it in a book. Maybe I should video it for the blog 😉
Erin l says
That house u can color is so cool! Where would I find one?! I’m in canada…
Sandra says
She is precious. Happy Birthday Hailey!
char eats greens says
Naaaaaaaaaiiiiiiled it! haha love that!! That interview was so cute!! I’m sure Nia would do the same to me x13487. I really would love to do this too because you’re right – such a nice keepsake!!!
Danica @ It's Progression says
This was the cutest!! I loved her mermaid answer 🙂