A very happy day, indeed

Anderson turned 3 on Monday. Last year Gabe was in Austin and I was in the hospital on his birthday and we have felt guilty about it ever since. This year we both ditched work so we could celebrate all day long with our favorite 3 year old. 

The day started with decorations

and a sad, backwards number 3 pancake.

We played with new cars

 and made roads for new cars

 and watched cartoons about cars. And grabbed cars.

 We made a tent and read about the zoo.

 We rode the train

 and you showed off your new pose.

 We played on the playground.

 Even Daddy.

 And Baby Beck

 who is just too cute with his static-y hair.

 There were spontaneous kisses

 and a trip to the zoo.

 We saw goats

 and brushed their hair

 and told them it was your birthday

 and measured our wing span.

 I even snuck in a photo.

 That's a pretty giant bear back there.

 We went for an early dinner at Ruby's because you wanted a hamburger

but you ordered a hot dog.

 The choochoo souvenir did not leave your side.

 We hoped they would bring you cake and sing, but an ice cream sundae and your mom and dad singing was good enough.

 And we finished the day on the carousel.

 One of the best days we have all had in a long time. Birthdays are the best.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Anderson

Anderson,
Every year on this day I take a few moments to sit back and reflect upon the day you were born. To re-live that day, to transport myself back to that moment, to experience once again the joy, the excitement, the amazement of becoming a mother for the first time.

This day marks the day our lives forever changed; the day that responsibility took on a new meaning and the day that I fully understood what it meant to put myself and my feelings aside for someone else.

Anderson, you are my greatest teacher. Through you I have learned to be patient, to be gentle, and to love unconditionally. You have taught me how to laugh and that nothing is ever so bad that an "I love you, mommy" can't fix it. You have taught me that being a "boy mom" is truly a gift.  I am beyond lucky to have you.

I never claim that anything I have done has made you who you are because I am pretty sure you were just born a good boy. You are happy. You eat well. You have loved your baby brother since the day we brought him home. You rarely cause any trouble and you have very few bad days. (Which, from what I understand, could totally change now that you're 3. I could totally be in therapy this time next year.) You are kind and you absolutely love to laugh.

Happy birthday, my love. May this next year be filled with wonder, discovery, and amazement. You make me and your daddy so proud and our lives are better because of you. We love you so.

xo
Mommy

Monster trucks, kitty cats, and rainbows

Anderson, your party was a success. You wanted monster trucks, kitty cats, and rainbows, and that is exactly what you got.  The monster trucks and kitty cats weren't much of a surprise, but the last minute addition of rainbows kind of threw me for a loop. I guess when you're three, that's just how your mind works. Nothing has to "match"; nothing needs to make sense to anyone but you. I even Googled "monster truck and kitty cat party" thinking maybe, somewhere, some other little boy had made such a request, but apparently you are as unique and original as I've always known you to be!

And so it was. Monster trucks, kitty cats, and rainbows all wrapped into one little family party. We had to have the party inside due to a rainy day (no rainbow, though- how perfect would that have been?!) and I was very glad we kept the numbers small for that reason alone. (Not to mention the fact that if there had been anymore kids in the play room while hitting at the piñata, such a bad idea, surely someone would have gotten a bat to the head!) The goal was a small-scale, homemade birthday party on a budget and we had exactly that. As I was getting wrapped up in something non-significant while preparing everything, it took Daddy to remind me that this party was for you, not me. You don't care if I spend $10 or $1000, if the napkins match the plates, or if the candy bags have a matching sticker, so long as you are with your friends and family. You're pretty great like that.

You played, you laughed, you ate way too much candy and you loved every bit of it. You talked about your party all night long and woke up still talking about it. You are so loved and it is so fun to be able to give you exactly what you want for your special celebration. Happy birthday, baby boy! (But next year, please give me a simpler request for your cake. That rainbow cake was just a bit much!)

inspiration: kitty cat cupcakes, rainbow cake, monster truck image