Birthday Party!

Yesterday was Marcus's 3rd birthday party. To say that he was excited is an understatement. I let him have a big part in deciding what to have for the party. He picked out train invitations and plates, party hats from the movie Cars, and a Backyardigans cake. He talked about his party so much during the week that we decided to have a pretend party to practice. The day before the party he came across a picture of a cake with a candle on it in a magazine and we practiced singing Happy Birthday, making a wish, and blowing out a candle. Thanks to our family for coming to sing and bringing lots of fun presents for Marcus! Enjoy the pictures while I enjoy the last two days of Marcus being 2 before he officially has his birthday.

The kids spent most of the party running - either from each other, their cousins, Maya, or some combination.


Marcus was a pro at unwrapping his presents. Maya was trying to help some and at one point Marcus was yelling to remind her that these were his presents.


Will was not at all pleased that the stack of presents weren't for him.


So excited!


Getting ready for the big moment!


And he blew the candles out all by himself this year!


One of Marcus's gifts was this collapsible barn. All the kids - Marcus, Will, and their two cousins - really enjoyed it.


Maya even enjoyed it, although she had a tendency to try to lay on the sides of the walls and make it start to collapse with everyone inside.


With a little prompting, Marcus was a very courteous birthday boy. He thanked everyone for his gifts and thanked them for coming. He even shared his presents with his brother and cousins... mostly. Just lately he has been seeming so grownup to me. Each year around his birthday I have taken his picture in the same chair. He certainly is growing up.