Easy to Please

Lily's third birthday is this upcoming Sunday. Can you believe it?! I can't. We have a birthday party planned for her on Saturday, and I'm thrilled that lots of her little friends are coming. Of course, I start to get all anxious thinking about everything to do (clean the house, order the food and cake, get the lawn in shape and get a present are at the top of the list). Well this evening, Lily and I opened up one of the playroom windows so we could watch Ryan spray weed killer to make things outside look a little better.

Lily loved this. We stayed there for about 20 minutes just watching Ryan. She kept looking down at the ground and saying "We're so tall!" At one point, she and Ryan talked for a few minutes about the music he was listening to on his iPod and he made a comment about us being Bert and Ernie in the window. Lily absolutely cracked up; she thought calling us Bert and Ernie was the funniest thing she has ever heard. After having a big laugh for about 15 seconds, she called down "Daddy, I'm not Bert and Ernie! I'm Lily!"

I explained to Lily that Daddy was cleaning the yard to make it look nice for her birthday party later in the week. She started to get excited thinking about a party. She pointed out where the inflatable jumpie should go, and she kept saying the tables should go in the dirt (why they wouldn't go on the patio I'm not sure). She kept asking questions and talking about "my Little Einstein party." Here's how one of our quick conversation went:
Me: Is there any present you really want to get for your birthday? (Keep in mind I immediately wish I hadn't said this because I already have her present).
Lily: Yes...three balloons!
Me: Three balloons because you'll be three years old?
Lily: Yes (big smile quickly fades). I want four balloons.
Me: Oh really? How about five balloons?
Lily: (Thinks for a second) No. Four balloons.
Me: You got it kiddo. I can do four balloons.
Excellent! I can get her what she wants!

Before going to bed, I told Lily lots of her friends were coming to her party, so she asked me who. Here's how that conversation went.
Lily: Who coming to the Little Einstein party in my backyard?
Me: McKayla, Molly, Zac...
Lily: I'll see Molly. Molly can come and sit next to me (as she pats the floor on her right).
Me: Sure, she can sit next to you. And Parker and Macey and
Lily: And Parker can come and sit next to me here (and pats the floor to her left).
Me: I'm sure Parker would love to sit by you. (and then continue telling her everyone else).

She's so excited! I tell you though, there are a lot of frustrations going on right now with Mia's fussiness, my computer and hard drive crashing and some work issues; planning this party makes me anxious too. Lily reminded me though we don't need much to be happy...family, friends, cake, an inflatable jumpie and four balloons, and we're good.