The Carlsons: Ella the Explorer turns 3!

Ella is completely and totally obsessed with Dora the Explorer. Sometimes, it feels like we have three daughters in our home: Ella and Caroline. And Dora. Often, when Ella's not pretending to be Dora ("Mommy. Say backpack! I have something in my backpack to help us up the hill!"), we'll go on neighborhood explorations with "Dora" and "Boots" and on several occasions, Erika's been asked to "wait for Dora!" Or, when crossing the street, "mommy! We have to hold Dora's hand to cross the street!" Of course, Swiper the Fox is always lurking in the shadow's to take something away from us; "Mommy. When you see Swiper, say Swiper!" Caroline's lucky her nightly lulliby doesn't sound like this: "Dora, Dora the Explorer! Swiper, no swiping. Swiper, no swiping. Swiper, no swiping! Oh mannnn!" Honestly, it's like the Carlson's newest family jingle!

Well, it seemed only fitting to include the whole Dora theme for Ella's THIRD birthday party and while Dora couldn't make it to the party because she was playing soccer with her cousin Diego, she left some things behind for Ella.

Ella the Explorer! Ella's party was at Clemyjontri Park, a remarkable playground and park that will guarenteed a tired child at the end of the day! At the center of the park stands a carousel that is surrounded by playground equipment and running tracks that encourages and inspires children to play and well...be children!

Ella and her cake! Unfortunately it was so windy that day that we didn't bother lighting the candles but Ella seemed ok with that!

Ella with her buddies; Boots and Dora!

Each child received their own Dora "map" which led them "under the colorful rainbow, through the crazy blue maze, under the blue train, and to the carousel!" Erika had fun leading the group of children and was surprised to see just how many of them were really into the whole Dora/Map adventure. It was totally fun and of course, receiving a gold coin at the end for the carousel ride was like icing on the cake!