Jasper is 3!

We celebrated Jasper’s birthday family-style while we were in Ohio.  But at his age Jasper has figured out what birthdays are all about, so we wanted to do it up Texas-style, too. 

While he was sleeping the night before his birthday, Drew and I decorated the kitchen, paying special attention to his new chair.  On the morning of December 1st, before Drew left for work, we let Jasper open his presents and had a fun morning together.  Jasper thought it was great! 

Of course, he still had to do his morning breathing treatment before breakfast and presents.  But, this isn’t any bother to him.  He gets to watch about 15-20 minutes of his pick of videos during the treatment.  Benjamin likes that part, too. 

 

Benjamin gave Jasper the blue flatbed he’d been asking for.  Jasper thought that was great! 

 

Here he’s checking out the flatbed to make sure it meets his high standards.  

Next up was his gift from daddy and mommy …

A Fisher Price Fire Hall, for imaginative play.

Benjamin was a happy on-looker and enjoyed his breakfast in the process.

 

Oh yeah, happy campers are we!

Jasper and Benjamin played with the Fire Hall all morning.  Benjamin particularly loved chewing on the fire hose.  

 

We already had Drew and his rescue helicopter (seen below) and were delighted to see that the Fire Hall has a helipad on top.  How fun!

After breakfast, morning playtime and nap, we met Drew for lunch.  We gave Jasper the option of where he’d like to eat and he selected “the lunch place” (aka Panera).  The sky was gray and cloudy, so I checked the weather before we left … and somehow missed the torrent of rain into which I was going to drive.  That was pretty irksome because I didn’t bring any rain jackets.  Oh well, we met Drew at the Panera close to his office (a good 30 minutes from our house) and got inside without getting too wet.  We had a fun, cozy lunch together and headed home for nap.  That night we had Jasper’s favorite meal for dinner: Nana’s special meatballs!  It was delicious!  (We’re all fans.)

On Saturday, December 5th, we had a little Cars-themed party with Jasper’s friends. 

Luke & Ellie and their family came.  Two of Jasper’s Z-named girl friends were in attendance: Zeren and Zaylin.  Brooklyn and Annabella came with their mommy, and the Burchfields blessed us, too.  Miss Mallory came early and played a pivotal role in getting the party off the ground and keeping it well-attired.  She was our tattoo artist.  :) 

We cleared out the living room for plenty of play room for the kids.  The tent was a HUGE hit with everyone taking turns going in there for secret hiding time.  We had Rudy’s BBQ for lunch, and then all the kids decorated their own cupcakes.  It was great!  They all loved being independent and creative.  Those who are sugar-starved showed the most vigor, but all the kids had a blast! 

Ellie was very precise with her decoration.  She decorated a cupcake for Drew, too.  It was lovely. 

Luke was having fun decorating, too!

 

Jasper is getting into the decorating spirit.

Annabella is heating things up!

Jonathan has his hands full with Cayenne and Paisley (but I don’t know which is which!)

 

Big sister Zaylin LOVED the frosting on her cupcake.

 

Brooklyn created a masterpiece!

Jasper got … messy

Benjamin thought the cupcakes were delicious, too!

 

Mallory and Mark sharing a laugh.

Zeren, Ellie and Annabella are staying busy on the far side of the table.  Zeren totally covered the top of her cupcake with blue sprinkles.  Teri’s initial reaction was to say “Zeren!”  She looked up at Teri with worry in her face, but Teri quickly adjusted and said “that’s beautiful” and Zeren was immediately pleased.  It was precious!  

Parents and kids alike enjoyed the cupcakes.  The recipe is from Magnolia Bakery in NYC – one of the more famous and popular cupcake bakeries in the country.   Their vanilla-vanilla recipe is delicious!

Before he left, Zeren’s dad Mike sweetly offered to take a photo of our entire family.  Hyped-up on sugar but ready for naps, we all had a good time!