Malakai is 3- how we spent his birthday... Part 2

Malakai's birthday fell on a Monday this year. We decided to still go ahead with our plans to take him to The Original Pancake House for his birthday stack. We did this for the first time last year and hope to make a tradition for all of our kids. The photo of him blowing out the candle last year when he turned 2 is still my desktop picture, it's one of my all time favorite photos in existence. 

{7.16.11}

Look how much my baby big boy has grown!

{7.16.12}

Malakai enjoyed looking over the menu and blowing out his candle just as much this year. It was fun to have Des experience the place for the first time. It was such an enjoyable little outing. 

Afterwards we dropped Daddy off at work and went to the mall to play. I knew Kai would really enjoy playing on the big slide in the courtyard. However, it was still so early that it was closed for cleaning. We wandered around the mall a bit and Malakai explored the little mechanical rides. He wanted to try a rollercoaster one but freaked out a bit when I actually put the money in. So we just watched a gal finish vacuuming the play area until we could go in. It was odd, but the boys had the place to themselves for a good 20 minutes. 

We ran a few errands, had lunch at Target and headed home for naps. When Kai woke up I surprised him with his turtle sandbox full of sand for the first time. We had previously used it for a ball pit and for the last year or so it's been put away...

He was thrilled to have his own sand to play in, and I'm thrilled to be able to avoid the park sandbox for the most part!

When Daddy got home from work we took the boys to Red Robin. It's pretty much the only kid/baby friendly restaurant nearby and they send a free kid's meal coupon for birthdays. Malakai picked everything he wanted off the menu himself, and after the fun he had with his straw at breakfast he requested a milk with a straw. Thankfully, they delivered!

He had the sweetest grin on his face when the servers sang happy birthday and he scarfed down his Sundae like we were going to take it away any moment. (he shared, of course). 

It was such a sweet day for all of us. 3 has been the magic number for Malakai and we are really enjoying watching him grown. 

Malakai is 3- a photo explosion...Part 1

On July 16th our 1st born turned three. I have no idea how that much time has passed since my sweet baby boy was born...but there you have it.

The Saturday before, we threw a construction themed party at my parents' place. There was swimming,  sand, toys, and treats. I had tirelessly prepared all the decor by hand the week before, but ordered a cake at Costco with just writing on it and just as the party started I decorated it with toys. I think it turned out rather well- the cake, and the party!

{crushed cocoa puffs make for great "dirt"}

{lots of construction gear}

{he was a pro at opening his gifts, a big change from last year!}

He played in sand, refused to swim, sprayed everyone with his new sprinkler toy, and finally decided to wear his hat after the party was over and it was time for bed. It was such a fun party, surrounded by friends and family. Big thanks to my parents for hosting, and everyone else for blessing us with gifts and love!

Part 2 of this post will be how we spent his actual birthday.

and then he was 3...

Today my sweet Malakai is 3 years old! We had a ton of fun celebrating him this past weekend with family and friends. This morning we'll take him out for our traditional birthday breakfast.

Happy Birthday to our smart, strong-willed, energetic, and loving first born!

and for nostalgia sake, here is my first post after he was born. and HERE is the story of his birth from Ben's perspective.