Austin's Birthday -- 2013

Austin Thomas Spofford turned 3! Can you believe it!? We didn't do a party for him this year (and probably won't again until he's in kindergarten), but we still had lots of fun! We opened presents first thing in the morning, then had a special breakfast followed by church, The Fair, and then cake when we got home. (And Nonnie & Gramps came later that week for cupcakes and presents from them.)

When I asked Austin what food he wanted for his special day (we each choose our own birthday meal food a la Parsons tradition), he said "candy." When I asked what kind of candy he wanted, he said "orange candy." So he got orange candy! And the rest of the funny story is that when I asked what else he wanted to eat on his birthday, he said "nothing, just orange candy!" I crack up as I write that! (and it's one example of why I love blogging. I want to record stuff like that!) We ended up having pizza in honor of his birthday because I know he loves it, even though he didn't request it.

We do four gifts at birthdays... well, four packages to open, really. "Something you want, Something you need, Something to wear, Something to read." It works well with our goals of giving practical gifts and always encouraging a love of reading.

When he got up and came into the family room, this was waiting for him. Orange candy included!

I love his face here as he tears into the first box..

And his smile here as he opens presents and eats his orange candy out of a new snack holder.

These Thomas stories are super short which make them super awesome in my mind!

I love when paper goes flying!

Heather Waloski recommended this movie to me once and Austin was super excited to get it!

He saw these Cars sunglasses once and so I told him to ask for them for his birthday. And he got them! ;-)
That's M&M paint around his face..

Orange "icky mouse" pancakes on an orange plate with an orange cup. Guess his favorite color.

After we got home from The Fair, I threw some writing on his cake and the Cars candle I bought (and I happened to have the two blue ones in the pantry. Score!).

We couldn't get the candles to stay lit outside so we came in to sing and enjoy our cake.

These two were really enjoying it, too!

He's licking the plate, folks. Licking the plate.

I have to remind Seth not to clean up after him. If it were up to Seth, he'd clean up all the paper WHILE Austin's tearing into his presents. I like to sit with the mess for awhile. It makes me feel more festive--like we've partied. And it feels more worth all the stress if I get to soak in the mess for awhile... Or something. Is that totally crazy!? It was like this all day. :-)