Third Year's a Charm

It is amazing how much has changed over the past year.  MP2 has gone from baby/toddler to toddler/little boy.  Last year, on his birthday, MP2 didn't get the whole "gift" thing.  We saw this begin to change at Christmas, and by this birthday....well let's just say that a full six weeks post festivities, he's still asking to check the mail to see if it includes any packages for him!

Three is also a totally new challenge, er...adventure for us.  Talk about becoming one's own person.  MP2 is more opinionated, talkative, demanding, funny, adorable, and terrorizing than ever before.  It's a wonder to watch him grow.

Some highlights from his birthday...

Papa and MP spent many hours over a couple of (hot hot hot) days putting one million pieces together until they had this swingset - Nana & Papa's birthday gift - set up.  It was ready for MP2 the weekend before his birthday, and he got a kick out of it.  It's so great to have a playground right in our backyard!

Here is our big three year old on the morning of his birthday.

After school, MP had a big surprise planned.  I picked MP2 up and we walked across the pedestrian bridge into downtown...

Where we met up with MP and took a little ride on the Music City Star commuter train.  MP had driven out to a suburb of Nashville that morning, and caught the train back into town with the morning commute.  So we rode the train out to his car and drove home.  MP2 LOVED it!

Then we had dinner and dessert on the deck with Nana and Papa.

Next up, was Max's backyard birthday party.  We had a threat of rain all day, which put me on edge...but the weather held and we had a lovely time.  It was even more special due to some very special guests - Ama and Grandpa came for the weekend from CT, and Uncle Gary came up from Chattanooga for the afternoon.

 (special note - battery powered bubble blowers are a HIT among the three year old set)

Another wonderful birthday gift - this one from Ama and Grandpa - a sand table, to complete our backyard park!

Finally, a reading of Dr Seuss' birthday book.  (Thanks, Jess and Aaron!  Max LOVES this book and it's in frequent bedtime reading rotation these days)

If he were writing, I think MP2 would declare three his best birthday yet!