One, two, three...Look at ME!

Look at this sweet guy....don't you just want to snuggle him?  This was Finn, exactly three years ago.  How fast those three years have gone!

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Now, this is that same sweet guy, upon discovering his brand new...very own...big boy scooter!!  The single most exciting way to begin your birthday celebrations.  We had pre-festivities on the Sunday prior to his real birthday, so that we could all enjoy the day with our big boy. 

Here are two of the best-est brothers EVER!  Koen picked out a cool, blue, recycled Frisbee to give to Finn for his birthday.  Finn loved it.  The moment was very touching.

No birthday is complete without the 'Special Plate' and an age pancake!  He chose a full breakfast of blueberry pancakes, bacon, orange juice and strawberries.

We took off right after breakfast for some exploring at the Seattle Aquarium.  The kids wanted to stop at the nearby fountain and throw in a penny for a wish.  This is their newest discovery, and now we can't pass by a fountain without losing some change along the way.

We had a wonderful time at the aquarium, so many fish to see and touch! 

Clay and I noticed that Koen and Finn were the only two kids sitting patiently and quietly during the tank diver presentation.  I don't know exactly why...this is just what they do.  Of course, they also have a staring problem, so maybe that is part of it.

Baby salmon (fry).  

All of this activity wore the big boy out, so we headed home for a nap afterward.  When Finn woke up from his nap, he emerged from his bedroom and saw the front room still bright and full with decorations.  He looked at me and said with pure joy, "Mom!  It's still my birthday!"  You've got that right, little man.




Later that day, we headed to the playground for some serious scooter try-outs.  Finn was in total bliss.  He knew this was HIS day.

Here he was demonstrating his new 'big boy' skills on the climbing structure.  STRETCH!

  

A slide.  This is by far, Finn's favorite piece of playground equipment.

And now, on to his REAL birthday.  That morning I snuck into the kids bedroom at the crack of dawn before leaving for work.  Finn was sleeping peacefully.  I knelt down next to his bed, held his tiny hand, and caressed his hair.  I leaned in for a kiss, and whispered, 'Happy Birthday, sweet boy!"  To my surprise, he smiled in his sleep and said, 'Yeah, it's my birthday!'  How precious is that?


Later, I baked some lovely 'spider web' cupcakes (per the birthday boy's request).

We took them to Ms. Leah's daycare to have a little party with his friends there.  We shared snacks, handed out balloons, and opened a cool present from the kids and teachers...a shark truck!

This day is huge for Finn, because he finally graduated from the baby and toddler room at daycare and now gets to join the big kids in the Star room where they have an official preschool curriculum.  He was beside himself with joy!  He LOVES the big kids in the Star room (especially his brother).

That night we had Shandy join us for homemade macaroni and cheese, and roasted vegetables (another one of Finn's favorite meals).  Trust me, Shandy was there....she took this picture!  :)

And of course, we wrapped up the day with a trip to Molly Moons!  Everybody say 'Ice Cream'!  Finn's chocolate cone only dropped on the floor once.

Happy Birthday, precious boy.  We love you to the moon and back!

Some quick facts about our 3 year old:

*Finn says:  'real kick' for real quick, and when he wants to pull out his sugary sweet persuasion card, he bats his eyelashes at me and asks, 'Just for minute, mom?  Yeah?' when he wants to do a certain activity a little bit longer.

*His favorite thing at night, is to have his tummy rubbed while he settles down to sleep.  Not his back, his tummy.  And if your hand stops moving even for an instant, he grabs it and pushes it around on his tummy for you to give a not-so-subtle hint to keep going!

*And when it comes to the Velcro straps on his light-up shoes?  They must be criss-crossed.  It's only the cool thing to do.