Birthday Bash

True to the tradition we've held to over the last few years, David's birthday celebration was over the course of several days. I like it better this way. And frankly, I think he does too!

We started off by going to pick up a special balloon for him. However, about 3 minutes after we arrived home, David decided that the most exciting thing for that balloon to do would be floating away in the sky. So it went up, up, up and away. And David was happy as a clam about that.

We also hung a few streamers. David mastered the tape dispenser in trying to get those streamers to stay up. In spite of his best efforts, they were short lived.

 A quick way to improve a simple meal of soup and grilled cheese is to add 4 shining candles to it.

David got to choose his meals for his big day. He chose muffins for the morning (I introduced him to almond poppy seed. Yummy!) and of course Mac 'n Cheese for lunch. Then he couldn't think of any other food options, so I chose the menu for dinner. Simple was fine by me, so grilled cheese and soup it was.

 Can't beat that brand new 4-year old smile. In the morning, we asked David how old he was. "I'm three." We corrected him, "No, David, today you turn four!" He replied, "Yeah, I'll turn four, but only after I eat my cake and ice cream." So here we capture the moment of true celebration!

This is the year that his cake-decorating mother went to buy 2 gourmet cupcakes at the bakery instead of making him a real cake. All of my cake decorating things are stored away while we show the house, and I'm on an eating plan that doesn't allow me such indulgences. So I didn't want to be tempted with the smells. For our little family, two cupcakes were perfect for this year. Next year I'll decorate any cake he wants.

While the ice cream cone dripped, David had fun opening gifts. A few more muffin mixes for his muffin mixing enjoyment, spider man pajamas and his very own flashlight. The highlight was a box of magformers. They are wonderful little magnetic building shapes--David loves them!

Celebrations continued all through the weekend. David loved receiving mail and packages from grandparents, as well as phone calls. He was also pretty cute in primary sharing time, when he got to go up and everyone sang to him. I saw him in front of his peers when he did that. He was a little reserved, but still very confident.

He also wasn't shy about asking us to sing him a birthday song. Then another. And another. We made the rounds through the traditional Happy Birthday song, all the Happy Birthday songs from the primary song book, and last but not least the Happy Birthday song they sing at Aspen Grove. (The latter was David's favorite.)

Happy Happy Birthday, David! We love you so very much. We simply couldn't imagine our life without you!

Just Hangin'

Hey David, What are you doin'?

 Just hangin, Mom!

Muffin Man

David loves making muffins. Especially with his new little baking set.

 The funny thing is that he doesn't eat more than one or two when they're out of the oven.

For the most part, the fun is baked in the middle.

Davidisms--January 13

• David tries his best to use good manners. Most recently, his polite way of asking for something goes something like this, "Daddy, would you may hold this for me?" "Would you may" are his nice words he applies to every request. Or if he wants to ask about not having to do something, "Mom, would I may not . . .?"
• Is there anything more fun than playing hide and seek with a 3-year old? Our favorite part is when David finds us, then squeezes into our hiding corner before we can even get out. He'll instruct us to go count, then stay hidden--exactly where he found us on the previous round. Nothing quite like recycling a really good hiding spot. If it's good enough for a grown up to use, it's good enough for our little guy. 
• Sam reminded me that on Christmas day, when David opened his thermometer he said, "Oh, I don't have one of these!"
• We were shopping clearance Christmas sales and David kept picking things up and saying, "This is just what I wanted for Christmas!!! And I didn't even tell Santa! Welllll, I guess we'll just have to get it now."
• We were at the toy store when we ran in to some friends. The husband entertained David while the wife and I chatted a bit. David pointed to Angry Birds plush animals and asked the man, "What are those?" Angry Birds came the reply. Next to them on the shelf were piggy banks in the shape of the pig. The man pointed to them and asked David, "What are those?" David's reply, "Happy pigs."
• While putting away his laundry, David observed, "Boy mom, my clothes are getting huger and huger because I'm getting huger and huger. First I was a baby, then I was three, and now my clothes are bigger and huger!"