Happy Birthday.

Today is Lillian's 3rd birthday, and the first she's celebrated with us, American-style. She had a wonderful family-and-friends birthday luncheon in Abilene, Kansas, at the Brookville Hotel, a regionally famous chicken restaurant once supplied by her Grandpa's family's hatchery, Austin Fryers. But that was a long time ago, when Grandpa was a kid. This weekend it was all about being a birthday princess. We had 30 people, including 8 kids 4 and under, in an event room. Good thing, too, because once the balloon-punching balls came out of the party favor bags, it was a pretty loud room! (The photo is of Lillian and second-cousin Gavin Austin hugging farewell.)

Last night we made strawberry cupcakes for Lillian's preschool class, wearing our matching aprons Grammie made us. Her class serenaded her with "Happy Birthday" this morning. Tonight, after work and preschool, she gets to open her presents from Mommy and Daddy.

I'm not sure whether she fully comprehends the birthday concept (we've been working on saying "three" instead of "two" when she's asked how old she is, but so far it's just "two, birthday, tee!"), but she is very satisfied with the idea of birthday cakes, birthday sundaes, tiaras, and blowing out candles.