It has been far too long, so this will be the first of a few posts I fear. So let's travel back to March.
Maria turned 3 on the 14th of March, and while she did not have a big party with a lot of other kids, she still enjoyed the day (or rather days) of presents. She was able to spend some quality time with her Uncle Matt and Auntie Erin on the Saturday learning to play her new pink guitar. I think we will have to plan for some future lessons from Uncle Matt.
She then got to spend the Sunday with Grandma and Grandpa E, Uncle DJ, Mom, Dad and William. William was happy to "help" Maria with her presents - gearing up for his own party in another month. The day was cool and windy, but we all headed out and spent a short time at the park, as per the birthday girl's request. William attempted to enjoy some time in the swing, but for the most part was happy to stay in the warm stroller. (If you've seen the movie "The Hangover" you will get and appreciate the above photo even more - Thanks Uncle DJ). This was also the first year that Maria really got the concept of "blowing" out the candles without "spitting" all over the cake (what a treat for the rest of us!). The cake was also by request this year: "Princess Peach" in honour of Maria's new found love for Mario Kart on the Nintendo Wii. She has amazingly good hand-eye coordination and does not require adult assistance to play or even place on the podium. She is also better than most at self-limiting her gaming time to 20 minutes or less. I can't wait to see what this next year will hold for her development.
She also finished off her second go round in gymnastics this month and thoroughly enjoyed herself. I love to see her physical skills developing and her fears decreasing. The improvement in her self-confidence was amazing and I am so glad we put her in the class. She may even have a career in acting - she took the "crazy" part of "crazy hair day" a bit far this time round. I think that once things settle down for me we will enroll her in gymnastics again. This is because the end of March also saw my return to the workforce. The kids have returned to the same dayhome Maria was at before this last maternity leave, and when I dropped them off the first day it was like Maria had never left. It was strangely easy to go to work that first day, and every day since then. William has been a bit more "clingy" in the evenings, but I don't mind...at least it means he misses me. 
