Birthday Party, Part 2

After Build-A-Bear, we headed to the food court by the Merry-Go-Round and had cake and opened presents. Aden had a Bolt cake, and Lola made Ethan an awesome Punky cake to match his favorite purple monkey. The kids all had fun, Party Mom was worn out and it was a huge success.

Aden stood on his seat and yelled, "This is the BEST party ever!"

One little nugget to remember: The kids were lining up to go on the Merry-go-Round and all of a sudden I hear Aden yelling, "Everyone is trying to touch me, so you can only touch me one at a time, now... who wants to touch me?" And kids started raising their hands. I was so embarrased. I had to remind Aden not to be so bossy.

Build-a-Bear Party, Part 1

The party was a big hit, although a little chaotic (and hot!) All the kids picked out really cute bears and got to put hearts in them, wash them, dress them, name them and more. Aden felt like the king of the party, and Ethan had a ball with all the kids.

Baby's First Starbucks

Ethan's first Starbucks!

(Strawberry Banana Vivano)

Heard around the house all week...

"I'm so close to four!" (big smiles.... Aden)

He found the birthday stash

Aden found the stash of his birthday gifts. I guess hiding them in my closet isn't very sneaky. Been done. I think I covered well, with a quick,"Those are for a friend's kid who has a birthday coming soon." (*face palm*). Thank goodness 3-year-olds are naive. I'm not sure anyone would buy that. He asked about his birthday presents and I said he'll just have to wait and see what he gets.

It seemed to work. For now. Time to find a new hiding spot.

The countdown to par-tay!

I just had to mention this because it's so adorable. I planned a Build-A-Bear party for the boys this year, we are actually having the party tomorrow. Really, I planned it for Aden to enjoy, because no one ever really remembers their 1 year birthday party and Ethan (I assumed) could really care less as long as he gets food. A Build-A-Bear party seemed the logical choice since the one thing the boys have in common is that they both really loved soft stuffed animals. So we have a party that Aden can enjoy with his friends and Ethan can get a stuffed animal and all will be happy.

But I was wrong about Ethan not caring.

We went to the Build-A-Bear store a few days before the party to make sure it was scheduled correctly and that they didn't need any additional information. Ethan got really excited and pointed out a few of his favorite animals off the wall. He was already trying to pick out a new friend! The store also mailed a postcard to our house with pictures of kids with a Build-A-Bear and Ethan has been carrying that thing around the house all week. He'll pick it up and then suck his thumb with his other hand. A sign to us that he likes what he's touching. It's so precious, it's like he's excited about his party too and he just can't wait.

Of course Aden is excited. But what he's most excited about is turning 4. Every day (for about the last 2 months) he asks if he's 4 yet. And then he goes down the list of his friends who are already 4 and he gets so mad that they get to be 4 and he isn't yet. It's like they have one upped him or something, and Aden is very competitive. He doesn't like to lose. So the party and the cake and all that sounds fun and he can't wait, but the real prize of the month will be finally turning 4.