Maya’s Bug Birthday Bash

Maya’s Birthday Breakfast

Maya examining her bug center piece

Olivia after eating a cupcake with Papa

About as crafty as I get. 🙂

Leftover cupcakes. We had ladybugs and worms.

Saturday was Maya’s 3rd birthday, and we celebrated with a bug party at the Spray Park. Bugs are Maya’s favorite thing right now, and actually have been consistently for about a year now. She does love her necklaces and bracelets, however she hasn’t progressed to princess worship like many of the little girls her age. Who knows, she may never get there. I guess it may be because we don’t watch all of the princess type movies and shows. I’m not a huge fan of those, but that’s just my personal issue with media influences. Anyways, I digress…

Maya had a great time at her party and informed her daddy that she “is going to grow up next week.” That comment actually made Jeff rather sad, and he asked me what I had been telling her. 🙂 Daddy’s and their little girls are just the sweetest thing to me. (Below you can see a picture of my daddy, aka “Papa” now.)

Maya has grown up a ton in the past year. It’s amazing the changes between 2 and 3 years of age. Maya has such a sweet, sensitive spirit and a really tender heart. If she ever sees anyone upset or crying, she immediately tries to comfort them. (That usually means she takes them some food or gives them her sippy cup. Not sure what that says about my comforting tools, but we won’t worry about that right now.) She sincerely empathizes with the person in distress. When my sister went to Myanmar this year, there were times that Maya would see me cry, and she immediately started to tend to me.

Maya has been gaining a little bit of Independence lately. The phrase, “No, Maya can do it! I can do it by myself,” is very commonly heard around here. I would not by any means label her ‘independent,’ however. She will play by herself, but only as long as you are right there. She doesn’t have to always be entertained, but she does always have to be with someone. My mom informed me that I was the same way when I was little, and I’ve grown up to be a fairly successful adult, so I won’t worry about that either. 🙂 Besides, I know the day will come when I will have to pry her from her room and beg her to just hang around a little more. I’ll enjoy her clingyness while I can.

One label I will give her is ‘animated’. You never have to guess how Maya is feeling. She has a million different expressions, and they fit her moods precisely. I love the way she furrows her eyebrows and shakes her head when she says thinks like, “I don’t think he can talk very good, Mom” (speaking of the robotic Chuckee Cheese who lip sings songs on stage.) And I love how she cocks her head to the side and gives a squished up smile when she pets a rolly polly and says, “Aww….sweet bug. Look at this sweet bug, Mom! He’s so sweet!”

Another thing that has shown up this year is her nurturing tendency. Maya LOVES babies, I mean LOVES them. She is the sweetest big sister. She is always taking care of Olivia and trying to help her with things. She talks to her in this sweet, soft voice that is just priceless to hear coming from a 3 year old. She is really motherly, and it’s awesome! I love seeing her act out her natural, God-given instincts at such an early age.

Sweet Maya, you are one of a kind and have enriched our lives so incredibly. Your fun loving personality and sweet temperament bless us everyday. We are so grateful to the Lord for entrusting us with you, our sweet first born. Happy Birthday, little one!

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