Because

 Because we are awesome parents, because our house is just too big and we needed something to fill it and because who doesn't think a trampoline is just plain fun...

  It also doubles, unexpectedly, as a cot.

Birthday Cookies

You know what the best part of having to go to school on your birthday is?

You get to take a birthday treat!!

Which Mommy forgot about until after work the night before and it was raining buckets outside.
Buckets!

So we got a little wet and ran down the street to Rite Aid to pick up something.
Anything easy was fine with me.

He picked out sugar cookies.
Instead of saying easy....I should have said something not time consuming and messy.

But what fun would that have been!

Yes sir-ree! That was neat AND easy!

There is no way this bag was getting that kind of result.

 We used TWO bags to create 18 total cookies
He DID pick the train cookie cutter and it IS a larger cookie, but the little bit I tossed in the trash would have made MAYBE two little drop cookies. Maybe.
I don't know who decides what portions cookies should be, but in our house, even without the train cutter, 72 cookies was OUT of the question.

All was alright though. We had enough for his class!
We sure didn't need more than that.

We still have some cake :)

From Mom, on your birthday

Dear G,

I can't believe you are THREE years old today! But at the same time, I can't believe you are only three. 

I feel like you've been in my life forever.

How did this happen? 

You're growing up so much every single day!

But I think I like it. Three is looking really good on you! In the last few months, you've changed dramatically.

You look older. You talk older. You and I, we can have a complete conversation. You have found an art in negotiating, and while I still win most of the time, I love that determination in you to seek out a compromise.

This will be a great characteristic as you grow up. 

This past year has been a little tough with Daddy on the road. But you know what, we make a good team, you and me.

We have found routines.We've found compromise. We've found tantrums and time-outs.

Yep, We've found lots of things out about each other.

I love that you love to draw, ride your bike, dress-up in costumes, play cars, build legos, and bake cookies, and dance and sing! I love listening to you sing! I love how inquisitive you are.

You are amazingly smart! You can count to thirty (you miss a number here and there, but you do it) You love to take things apart. You can take apart your tractor and put it back together easily. You love puzzles! In fact you are up to doing 48 piece puzzles all by yourself! You can point out letters of the alphabet on request. You pick out your own clothes and dress yourself most of the time. You know left and right, (most of the time), and directions on how to get places visited frequently, such as school, store and grandma and grandpas. "Turn here, Mom, slow down...the road is coming up....etc" You even know your address! Also, you remember EVERYTHING! This is good and bad :)

At mealtime, you *always* ask to help me – no matter who is here or what you are doing.  You like to stir and pour and measure. Of course, you like to taste test too – which I usually let you do.

When I ask you if you want milk , apple juice, or water. You always chose apple juice. You drink two gallons of apple juice a week. Seriously.

Gavin, you are THREE!

Did you know that three years ago at this moment, I was getting wired up with IVs, wondering what you would look like when you arrived. And then you did, and my world changed forever.

You have grown from the tiny little infant to the sweet, caring, hilarious little boy that you are today, your daddy and I couldn’t be more proud of you. I say always that I want to freeze time, to keep you never-changing as the cool little dude that you are right now … but then I wouldn’t get to see the next stage of your life … which always turns out to be more fun than the last. 

You are the coolest little boy, Gavin. You are so happy, and so sweet. You love meeting new people … no one is ever a stranger to you...after about 20 minutes.  You run, you play, you scream, you smile. You flip and jump and do somersaults. You are full of happiness and life and love. You are a cuddler, a laugher, a ham and a sweetheart.

You love climbing and building. You love Dora the Explorer, (you want to be Swiper for Halloween), Bubble Guppies and Chuggington. You love markers and wearing both my and your daddy’s shoes. You love eating peanut butter on bread and smarties and popcorn. You love brushing your teeth and swimming and balloons. You love your family, and love chasing the dogs. You are also a fan of Jazz, the snotty, sneezing cat.

My wish for you this birthday is that you continue to grow into the sweet boy that I know you’ll become. That you keep this cheer and love in your heart forever. That you remember that family is the most important thing in life, and not to take them for granted … that we will be there for you forever, holding your hand and guiding you through life when you need it.

We love you, Gavin!

Happy Birthday!

Today, you are THREE!

Love always!

Mom and Dad

Gavin's 3rd Birthday Party!

 The BEST 3rd Birthday Party Ever!

Let's rewind a second. The day before Gavin's 1st birthday, Daddy had knee surgery, so BIG celebration wasn't all that practical. Gavin's 2nd birthday, Daddy was on the road. Very sad, but we had a little shin-dig with Grandma and Grandpa. So this year, for the BIG 3, we were having a party! We invited all the family, some friends and neighbors, and DADDY was going to be here!! Yes, this was the best birthday ever!
I was determined to make it the best that I could!

I made a swag for the wall.

I bought some balloons.

I found someone to make the best dang cake a 3 year old Mater fanatic could EVER want.

I made (courtesy of Gordan Food) a lunch.

We had pulled pork sandwiches and Swedish meatballs.

I also made an antipasto pasta salad.

My brother Mike, brought his famous nacho dip.

My mom brought a bean dip and Tim's mom brought some coleslaw.

Later we grilled some hotdogs for the kids.

We were very excited that all the family came!

There was lots of fun in the backyard on the swing.

I love this picture!

More fun was had on the roller coaster!

Tickling and carrying on outside.

So much carrying on, that I finally cut up half a dozen dogs, put them on a big plate, corralled all the kids up into the play-set, and had them eat SOMETHING while they play nonstop.

Then we moved on to some Sand Fun. I got this idea while at Harrison Rally Day, and saw all the kids lining up to make Sandy Candy. I went with sand instead of sugar, but the idea is the same. Everyone loved it. From age 2-10.

Even the dogs were good! They played, they didn't bark. They were perfect!
(and worn out by the end of the day....perfect for me!)

After our sand necklaces, we moved into the front yard for the big moment. The PINATA!

I've been told numerous times that I have this mean or irritated look. I think this captures it. Although I'm not irritated, I'm not mad, it's just my face. I need to work on facial expressions.

I've heard stories of little kids being upset with smashing favorite characters.
This was NOT the case.
I talked to Gavin about what a pinata is for the last week.
He knew what had to be done to get the CANDY, STICKERS, and TOYS out :)

Boy, did he do it with some fierce determination!

Next up was cousin Jasper. He may be the youngest, but he had the right idea using the hard end of the bat to bust that Mater open.

All the kids did wonderful standing in line and waiting their turn.

I think the girls may even have been the toughest!

Hit that thing, Pressly!

Kaylee is a future softball star!

The boys may have knocked it down, but the girls loosened it up! No doubt about it!

But it's OK, because Daddy will fix it :)
You like the fix of a coat hanger and a ratchet strap to hang it with??
I thought it added to the Mater vibe quite well.

Flying Mater!

The Birthday boy comes back for last hit!

And the candy comes falling out!

Time for cake.
The highlight of Gavin's day.
We all sang Happy Birthday to him.
He was tickled pink!

Shining moment?

Uncle Matt graciously volunteered to be the Mater cake cutter. I'm not sure I would have been able to cut it. It was so cool!

He did a fantastic job!

Thank you, Matt!

And Thank you Gabby for helping him pass it out.

"I want the teeth piece, Uncle Matt!"

Present time!

Thank you, Everyone!

Thank you to everyone who came to make this day super special for Gavin. Thank you to my parents (Grandma and Grandpa) for taking him for a couple hours so we could set up, and also for bringing the table and chairs, (you saved the day!!) Thank you Mike, for bringing your famous nacho dip, there were no leftovers, Thank you Matt and Gabby for making the trip from Columbus for Gavin's big day, Thank you Grandma Woody and Grandpa Buzz for coming after a long night and an early walk (Komen Race for the Cure). Thank you Grandpa Pat and Grandpa Paul for coming all the way from Oak Harbor, it's been too  long! Ben, Laura, we don't see you enough either! Ron, don't let so much time go by next time ;) (hehe)
All our friends, THANK YOU for coming. This was a spectacular day for Gavin!!
One that he will most definitely remember.

And a HUGE Thank you to the man you won't find in any of these pictures, because he was too busy behind the camera all day. Thank you, Dad! These pictures are incredible!
There are MANY, MANY more from today at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ivoska/sets/72157627754346210/show/