We started M's special day with breakfast at IHOP. Of course he received plenty of attention with his cute bday hat. The very sweet waiter (who obviously doesn't have small children of his own) surprised my kids with 2 scoops of ice cream. Each. At 8:30 in the morning. M was sure to get every last drop.
I tried to get a pic of the sweet, loving brothers...but it just wasn't working for the bday boy.
After that, we met some friends at Splashpad and I brought mini cupcakes to share. Later that evening, the grandparents came over for dinner, cake and presents.
Speaking of cake...someone had great intentions when they gave us this adorable train cake pan. It seemed easy enough.
Speaking of cake...someone had great intentions when they gave us this adorable train cake pan. It seemed easy enough.
Make a box cake mix.
Pour into pan.
Cool.
Pop pieces out of the special nonstick pan.
Decorate.
Voila! An adorable pull-apart train cake.
Well, 2 hours before the grandparents were due to arrive, this is what M's train cake looked like.
After calling several friends to find another box cake mix, I tried again. The second one came out so much cuter (thanks to my hubby for decorating it) but the pieces were less than half an inch thick. Oh well!
M, right now your preferred method of greeting someone is "Hey you!" which isn't exactly the most polite method, but the way you say it just cracks me up. You often put your hands on your hips when you're upset about something. Or you do a very wide karate stance. Or a gorilla growl. Or you throw things. (We're working on that, of course.) Your favorite activities include puzzles, playing "run around the ottoman" and going on family bike rides. You have a giraffe pillow named "Raff" that you use when you are tired or hurt and you still suck 2 fingers of your left hand (you even have blisters to prove it). You are so sweet and gentle with babies and puppies. You love to dance on your stage (which doubles as a stepstool). You have some pretty awesome gymnastics moves and incredible upper body strength. You love to hang, especially from the handles on commercial doors (a big no no). You love to do anything your big brother does...which is sometimes a good thing, sometimes not. It touches my heart when I see and hear you and K playing well together. Of course, sometimes the playing turns to fighting but overall, you adore your big brother and he adores you. You love going to church and have already memorized a few Scriptures. You are a prayer warrior, especially for my friend Stacey, who is winning her battle with cancer. The other day you asked us to stop in the middle of eating our dinner so that you could pray for her. Our prayer for you is that you would always have a tender heart towards church, His word and the prayer needs of others. M, your daddy and I love you more than you will ever know. Happy 3rd bday!!
