Happy Birthday

Yes, we are officially three years old! Here's hoping that three is the end of the terrible two's. For those of you who want to tell me that three is worse, just please don't tell me.

I will say that three years old started out with a bang. Alden was so excited that he was having a dinosaur party at McWane. He picked it out himself way back in February and never wavered that that was indeed the celebration of choice. Paleontologist Alden, pictured here, knew the names of every dinosaur during the dinosaur exhibition by the McWane staff. At least three of the kids actually listened. I think that was about all out of the 16 that were there.

Including my child who was not even on the correct side of the room.

The academics.

Not to worry, everyone was very interested when it came to the cake!

None as much as Spencer. We put the cake down in front of Alden to blow out his candles. Spencer did not understand at all why the cake was then taken away by the party coordinator. The baby had a meltdown. His love of food is truly out of control. I pacified him with his milk for a few minutes, but he demanded not one but TWO big kid size cake slices. He then proceeded to throw up later that day. Excellent.

He, then climbed inside a mushroom.

And tackled his brother.

It just seemed easier to give Spencer to Grumps for the day who became his personal buddy.

Pretty soon....

Alden loved bringing his whole family to his favorite place to play. I don't think I ever even saw him after we left the party room because he had so many people to entertain. It was great because most of his friends stayed to play and all sort of migrated to one place together.

We told Alden that we would leave and get him pizza and Sunny D at Dave's pizza with all of his grandparents. But, no. He seriously could not be talked into anything except the food court at McWane Center. You know, it is one of those things were we did it one day and so now we have to do it every single time we go.

A very blessed child!

So, did I say that Alden turned 3 at McWane. I lied. It was not actually his birthday. When your birthday is on Memorial Day weekend, you have to have your party early. So, for his REAL birthday, our little family went to the park for a picnic and to play.

Spencer in meditation.

Alden taking in the beauty of nature.

Enough quiet time. We found sprinklers!

Yes, those were new shoes.

Alden was actually and honestly shocked that he was wet when it was all over. Go figure.

His birthday present from Mom and Dad. Please don't tell him this, but guess what? They had one kid's one-size-fits-all helmet at the store. Guess who it didn't fit? We have to go shopping for bigger helmets...

It was a day of what boys and boy mamma's do best. Cars...

Trains...

And, of course, baseball.

Happy Birthday Alden! At 3, he is energetic, happy, and one of the most observant and insightful people I know. He loves to cuddle on the couch, cook, play ball, Toy Story, trains, and Wolfie Dog Dog. He can get himself dressed, even if he always puts his clothes on backwards, and can work puzzles better than his parents. He is unbelievable social and talks to anyone and everyone who will listen. Yes, he sings and loves the theatre and I am just fine with that. He thinks T-Ball is super cool and can bat left-handed. He has a mind like a steel trap and never lets you forget anything you did wrong! We still love animals and the zoo more than anything in the world except maybe reading books. He would stay in his pajamas all day if we let him and declares that, "He does not like these clothes" everyday before his nap so he can put his pajamas back on. His favorite question is, "Why?" If he doesn't think anyone is listening, he will quietly tell his little brother that he loves him and that "you are my best buddy." But, most importantly, he never lets us forget that, "He is a big boy! He is NOT a baby."