Happy Birthday Peter!

Peter turned 3 this last week and even though I am way behind on posting I wanted to get this one done so I wouldn't forget anything! I am sure it was a bit confusing since we had 4 different "celebrations" but at least he knows that he is loved! 

Labor Day weekend my parents happened to be able to visit so we did our family celebration then.  We had a big dinner with aunts, uncles, and cousins and my parents.  I asked Peter what he wanted for his cake this year and he said a white cake with lemon frosting with strawberries inside so that is what I made him...it actually tasted pretty good!  He also picked out one of his favorite daddy ties for me to decorate the cake with.

 He tried so hard to blow the candles out and after a few minutes and a strategic cake placement he was successful!  Yeah for 3!

 It wasn't my best decorating job but he loved it and that is all that matters!

 Issac also enjoyed the cake...

 We got a lot of rain (thankfully) the day before and the cousins thought it would be fun to strip down (well mine anyway) and place in the pool full of rainwater...crazy kids!

 What 3 year old boy is excited to get clothes?  Mine...I have no clue where his fashion sense comes from but it is so cute!

 My cousin also made some file folder games for church...which I LOVE and have since made some more of my own.  If anyone is interested you can find some at this site, check with me first though because I have already ordered a few and I can send you copies.

 Here he is in his birthday suit...not the naked one...playing with his new favorite loud toy...thanks mom...

 It was fun to have family here to celebrate our fun little man with us!

On his actual birthday we had a little friend party with corresponding tie theme.   As part of his invite we attached ties for the kiddos to wear to the party...and surprisingly they all did!  It was so cute!

Here is the birthday banner I made, time consuming but I think it turned out cute.  Peter loved it so much we hung it up in his room!

Trying to keep life simple for me I had the genius idea to let the kiddos make their own treats.  We made sugar cookies shaped like ties, some cream cheese frosting, chopped up some fruit and let them decorate their own ties.  Messy, but fun!

Blowing bubbles...another kiddo favorite.

Peter showing off his mad sliding skills for the ladies :)

A rare moment of gentlemanliness from Issac!

Some of the kiddos didn't want to keep their ties so Peter was more than happy to receive them.  Alan decorated some balloons for the party with ties and you would have thought Peter had won the lottery!  After everyone left this is how he spent the afternoon.

Later that evening we had a skype call with Grandma and Grandpa Jensen to open his presents and he was so excited for a new tie (and even more so that it looks like one of Alan's) and for a new game where you collect bugs! 

The following day was his "Celebration of Life" at his preschool.  I decorated the rest of the ties for his classmates and they had a cute celebration where Peter got to walk around the room talking about the months of the year and how he has grown from birth.  It was a little confusing for him because they would stop at each year mark and say "and now Peter is born, or 1 year or 2 years" and each time he would say "no, I am 3!"  We took in pictures of each year and talked about him at each stage.  Super cute idea, I wish I had remembered the camera!

 

 

Happy Birthday Peter, we sure do love you!  You are becoming quite the little man and we are so proud of you!  Although it drives me crazy at times we love your thirst for independence and learning. 

 

A snapshot of Peter at three: he still loves ties, it is now a borderline obsession.  He loves to read books, paint, swing, slide, jump, make scarecrows, jump on mom and dad's bed, being outside, helping in the kitchen, snakes, snowmen, dressing up in church clothes, airplanes, coloring, balloons, fish, singing, dancing with mom in the morning, preschool, and watching Cailou and Super Why.  He is a good helper and gives mom great hugs when she needs them!