That one time when Max turned THREE!

Right...........so this guy:

This particular shot was taken on a day when it was 110 degrees outside, IN SEPTEMBER.  Max was just apparently REAL desperate to make some cool weather happen.

October 20th was the big day, and Max had really been looking forward to it.  Mostly because I told him when he turned THREE he could get out of his dumb carseat and ride in a booster seat.  I mean really.....the kid weighs 40 lbs. and is nearly 6 ft. tall as it is.  And also, because he was pretty sure he was gonna have a rockin party in the pool with all his cousins.  Sorry kid, can't win 'em all.  So, he was counting down the days.

When I asked him what he wanted, he had but one simple request....a hoopaloop.  I asked again, he exasperatedly said...."that's all I want Mom, a HOOPALOOP."  Right, ok then.  Your wish is my command.  Except, I couldn't just leave it at that, there HAD to be something else.  After perusing the aisles of Wal-Mart at 11:30 p.m. the night before his birthday, in my pj's (what, I like to fit in) I realized something.  Buying presents sucks.  There is just nothing worth getting.  They're so over everything 5 minutes after you give it to them, or it gets broken, or forgotten, or whatever.  After much "agonizing" we finally settled on a little "Lightning the queen" car that talks and a balloon, OF COURSE.  I set the stuff out on the island for him to discover the next morning.

The big day arrived, he woke up bright and early, but that was just because he had to pee.  But, he noticed a sliver of sunlight peeking through the dark morning sky and decided he should be awake as well.  We meandered out to the living room so I could turn on a kids show.  As we approached the kitchen, he stopped short as his sleepy eyes took in the hoopaloop draped over the barstool.  He looked at it, looked at me, and then asked..."is that a balloon?"  "Is it for me?"  I assured him that yes indeed, the balloon, AND the hoopaloop were for him and sang him a little happy birthday tune.  He was so thrilled he could barely take it.  I tried to get him to contain it, as we were all still wanting, and or were asleep.  He tried, he really did, but it was a lot for his newly 3 year old self to keep in.  Pretty soon he was waking Maggie up with the thrilling news of his blinky, lightup hoopaloop.  And then he was in our room, waking up Daddy and sharing the good news.  He played with it and carried his car around all morning.

While Maggie was at school Max and I hung out and then, we picked her up and met a friend over at Peter Piper for some Birthday pizza and playing.

Proudly showing off his "haul" hehe

There is just something so disturbing about this picture.

There, that's much more like it.

Trying to get those darn fingers to cooperate and show us he's THREE

Auntie Julie brought home a wee perfect cake and another balloon.

All was well with the world.

We sang, he blew out, we ate.

We are just that simple and lazy people.

BUT, it works for us.  And my kids are none the wiser.

Gramma Peggy came over and brought him this super cool truck toy and some cute clothes.  She's the BEST for keeping my kids supplied with pj's.  Seirously, I look forward to their bdays and Christmas, 'cause I know they'll be good to go in pajamas for awhile.

After Gramma Peggy left, and we were coming off a cake high, and bathing the kids, my phone rang and it was my parents.  They were there to wish the big guy a Happy Day and bring him his birthday cash.

My parents give cold hard cash to the grandkids (we older kids get checks....JUSt as good) and a sweet card.  Maggie asked, "Why don't they give us REAL presents like Gramma Peggy?"  I informed her that theres was even better in some ways.  With their money, they could buy whatever they wanted, or take themselves to Jump Street.  HELLO.  This made her eyes light up, 'cause she got it.

Anywho....had a lovely visit with the parentals, fed them some dinner and then they were on their way.

All in all, it was a perfectly grand third birthday for my little Maximus Prime.

A few thoughts on my boy:

He still melts my heart, on a daily basis.  Even when he's SO naughty and or so crazy impulsive, and or mean...there is still such a sweet little boy in there that loves his Mommy so much.

He LOVES milk, cereal, mac n cheese, hot dogs, pizza, yogurt and cheese. But, he is NOT so much a fan of bread, any veggie or most things I make for dinner.  He'd rather go hungry, and sometimes has, than eat what I put in front of him.  Pretty sure he'd live on yogurt and cheese if I let him.  But I won't lie....when he comes out sometimes after he's gone to bed and says, "but my tummy says it's still hungry" it kills me and I may or may not have snuck him graham crackers or other things.

He ADORES his sister and wants to be with her, play with her, tease her, beat her, take care of her, etc. at all times.  I fear that as she gets older and starts being more and more annoyed with him, his little heart will be broken many times over.

He's obsessed, OBSESSED I tell you with doorbells.  He must ring ours at least 400 times if he ever gets outside to do it.  Can't go into my parents house without ringing theirs a few times as well.

He's so verbal and so smart.  Yesterday he was trying to tie a ribbon around his ankle, and asked me to help.  I was getting ready and couldn't right then, and he said, "But Mom, I'm having some real problems."  It cracks me up when he uses such grown up thought/terms.

Today was our primary program and the little nursery kids (Maxs age) were s'posed to go up and sing one song.  He is crazy clingy to me when it comes to church, so I had to go up and sit in the front.  Anywho, he went up and the kids were singing, and all he could do was grab at the mike.  When it was all over, and I went to get him down, he threw the HUGEST fit and cried "I wanted to sing BABY BABY five times."  Needless to say he was none to pleased that he missed his opportunity with the microphone.

Anyway....we love this crazy, busy, never stops moving, never stops talking, throwing, hitting, making silly faces, playing, loving, etc.  little boy!

Here is to another year of learning, growing and loving.

Big Boys and Birthday Balloons,

Allyson