Little miss Maia is three now.
I made cupcakes with pink icing per the birthday girl’s request. The cupcakes had apples, applesauce, and walnuts and were super moist and tasty (and quasi healthy). I got the recipe here. The icing is just cream cheese with a little milk and powdered sugar. I think we’ll make these again this fall after going apple picking — skipping the pink tint and sprinkles. Yum.
We combined a low key birthday celebration with our last art group meeting. The kids painted with shaving cream and paint and loved it of course. Our whole house smells like shaving cream now. One father (who shall remain unnamed) took it upon himself to show the kids how shaving cream is really used. Needless to say, we had to wash shaving cream and paint off of several faces and necks later. 
And yes, this was the last meeting. We’ve been meeting for two years now and I have loved this group. Loved the kids, the mamas, the art, everything (well, everything but the clean up). But this is a time of change for our family on many fronts. Maia is starting preschool this fall two mornings a week — a completely last minute decision (a week ago!!) but a good one, I think, for all of us. Today is her first day and we are all excited and a little nervous at the same time. Wish us well!
Sara said
Best wishes for the new preschool year! Very exciting.
Lucia said
Happy Birthday…looks like the perfect kind of celebration. And Happy Preschool to both of you
Tracy said
It was so nice to see you and Maia this morning at school! Best wishes for a magical year and in all the changes coming your way.
Megan said
…and the pink cupcakes matched her pink dress! How cute!
Julie Liddle (ART IN HAND) said
Same comment as yesterday…
It’s bittersweet, but so much to look forward to. You will marvel at the amazing things your 3 year old will say and do! It is a truly amazing stage of development.
I keep realizing, again and again, that this continues to be the case. It’s not unique to the baby years. Just two days ago, I took my boys (just celebrated their bdays also, in fact, so now they are officially 9 and 6) into DC to the National Museum of Natural History, a museum we have been to more often than any other, per their interests. I was amazed at what a different experience it was this time, as if both of them were suddenly ripe for devouring all that was there for the taking, well beyond the halls of their beloved prehistoric creatures. We must have spent 3 hours, exploring a multitude of exhibits, where they were genuinely focused on the content, not just zipping around pushing buttons and climbing on railings. It was very exciting to see them learning and participating in this way.
I used to worry a lot about “losing” my babies, but they’ve grown into such amazing people to spend time with (well, at least when they’re not picking on each other), that I wouldn’t have it any other way. (and luckily, James is a little peanut of a 6 year old, who still climbs into my lap morning and night for delicious hugs and snuggles, and can easily be picked up at all of 38 pounds!)
Erica said
Wow, now I want pink applesauce cupcakes for my birthday. =)
My one-year-old son started daycare two days a week a few months ago after being with me 24/7 for the first year of his life, and I was a nervous wreck at first. It got better. Now I love what he gets out of being there, and I love the time it allows me to work on my dissertation and keep myself together as a person, not just his mom. Happy thoughts to both of you as you make this transition!
threegirlpileup said
What is it about sprinkles? They’re like crack cocaine for little kids, I think. What could be better than cupcakes with sprinkles?
Congratulations on the birthday and good luck with preschool!
fightingwindmills said
Happy Birthday Maia! Those are some really sweet photos.
Bobbie said
you will be missed.. I use most of your ideas for the toddler art group that I started.. after being inspired by yours
enjoy the changes in life….wee ones are precious for a short while.. I am lucky I have 3 girls and I have had 7 years of little … but they will grow one day
Maureen said
Hi… happy 3rd birthday – a celebration for you as a mom too. Selfish question from the peanut gallery – are you still going to post art group type ideas or is this closing the chapter on this blog/topic? I really get so many great art projects to do with my boys (still haven’t set up an art group) and your blog has really given me the courage to take on the messier type projects with them. I so hope your going to keep your blog going… Thanks,
Maureen
Barbara said
Perhaps Maia’s preschool will be a new source of art ideas. I hope you’ll keep blogging. Reading your entries brings back so many happy memories of my own kids younger years. It makes a nice bridge for me, waiting for grandchildren.
cygnetsmall said
Happy birthday Maia! All the best to you as you start another year in your life.
(And, How funny that we too made a last minute decision a couple of weeks ago to send Eleanor to nursery school this fall. Must be something in the air!)
Elise said
I’m sad the group is ending, but happy to report that I’m starting one that should begin in a week or two, inspired by yours! I’m very excited about it, and loved the information you put together. It was very helpful when i was trying to explain what I wanted to do to the other moms. Do keep blogging!
miniaturequilter said
Happy birthday Maia!! Sounds like an exciting time!
Mozi Esme's Mommy said
Happy birthday Maia! Congrats on the BIG 3!
Pink icing always makes a cake – they look yummy!
And shaving cream painting looks awesome, especially the body painting.
The Broken man said
Trust a father to get kids in a mess….
The Broken Man
andreamcmann said
Oh, good luck, Jean! I hope those two mornings a week give you the time you need to do what you have to do for yourself! Happy birthday, Maia! Hannah turns three in November. We may be looking into preschool, too.
Tyler did really well in kindergarten for the first two days, then he had a few sad mornings when I dropped him off. It was the hardest thing in the world! The good news is that he’s fine now and loves school! In fact, now he starts wanting to leave the house half an hour early each morning, so he can get to school earlier!
I know that you’re a babywearing fanatic like I am. You might want to stop by my blog this week. Starting Sunday, I’m hostig a week-long babywearing celebration with lots of articles, interviews and a few really nice giveaways.
Amy said
Happy Birthday sweet Maia! Love, Amy, John, + Sadie
Eren said
Oh, I send best wishes for a great first year of pre school…how fun! She is going to love it! Sorry I missed sending birthday wishes two days ago, but belated ones are being sent this very instant. Blessings sweet girl! And to her mama too!
Thimbleina said
Happy Birthday Maia
The Writer Mama said
Congratulations, Maia and Mama (birthday and preschool!).
Hope you’ll have time to swing by the Writer Mama Back-to-School Giveaway this month, Jean!
Rebecca said
Oh that is too too funny. What a great dad. =)