Max is THREE!!!!

Ok, so I'm a few weeks late, but Max is three! THREE!? I can't believe it. It was literally yesterday that I was scared out of my wits about having a C-section on my birthday. Since then, well, my birthday no longer exists, but that's ok.

So, around Christmas we had found a great deal on this pirate ship online:

So we bought it to give to Max at some undetermined point in the future. Well, he had recently developed a renewed interest in pirates so we decided that his birthday would be a good time to give it to him. Based on the gift, and the renewed pirate-interest, I decided to have a pirate-themed birthday party for him. When I told him about it, he was really excited...for a few days. At some point, however, he decided that he wanted a train party...not a stretch since trains have been his obsession for quite some time now. But he grew more and more vehement about the train party. Everytime I mentioned his pirate party he would scream "NO! I want a train party!" So, needless to say, I was a little bit nervous that he would be really disappointed in his pirate party.

Nevertheless, I proceeded with my plan. We were also excited to be able to have his first official pool party. I've always been happy that he had a summer birthday because it's so fun to have pool parties for summer birthdays. This year , with our own pool, made that especially easy. Sadly, this has been the summer of rain, so swimming seemed somewhat unlikely. I was just praying that it wouldn't rain for the entire duration of the party.

The guests were welcomed to our pirate party with pirate hats, eye patches, pirate swords and tattoos. Some got into it more than others. I also had pirate-themed kiddy music playing on the speakers on the porch. PopPop almost made me walk the plank for that.

Out on the porch I set up Max's gift-opening station, complete with his very own "treasure chest" to hold his gifts.

Some of the spread, including ships and dip (chips and salsa), cannonballs (grapes), shark bait (goldfish), and pirate swords (celery sticks with dip)

All of the pirate lasses were in attendance, although at least one of them wasn't too happy about it.

After running around sword fighting, eating, and havoc-making, the decision was made (by some of the guests) to go for a swim. So, Max was able to have his pool party after all.

After swimming, the kids found some sweet treats waiting, including these (mostly devoured) Rice Krispy Pirate Ships.

And, what was probably the hit of the party, food-wise, the Old Pirate Bones. They were a beast to make, and didn't last long.

Finally Max got to open his gifts. More than one person commented on what a great "gift opener" he is. He was generally thrilled and excited about each gift he got and I can honestly say that he has played and played with each and every one of them.

Time to blow out the candles on his Red Velvet cupcake.

And one more of these, just because.

Max had a wonderful birthday. He talked about it for days afterwards and even now, every so often he'll ask "is it my birthday? is it my birthday party?" So I think he liked it. Even though it wasn't a train party.

 MAX, 3 Years Old. 22 Questions.
1. How old are you today? "Six!" (He consistenly said six when anyone asked.)
2. How does it feel to be three? "It feels funny to be 3."
3. What's your favorite color? "Purple" (this has also been a consistent answer for quite some time)
4. What is your favorite toy? "Monster trucks and airplane"
5. What is your favorite fruit? "Grapes"
6. What is your favorite TV Show? "UmiZoomi"
7. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? "Candy and I'll eat and then get CANDY! and no-sure nuggets." (dinosaur nuggets)
8. What is your favorite outfit? "The pirate hat and eye patch."
9. What is your favorite game? "ABCs" (no idea)
10. What is your favorite snack? "You eat something at the playground; Julie gave me those snacks."
11. What is your favorite animal? "Frog" (he constantly hops around the floor saying "ribbit" so this is no surprise)
12. What is your favorite song? "No Sa!"
13. What is your favorite book? "My favorite book is about dinosaurs. "
14. Who is your best friend? "Natey and Benny and Pop Pop"
15. What is your favorite cereal? "Lucky Charms"
16. What is your favorite thing to do outside? "Swim in the pool and jump in muddy puddles."
17. What is your favorite drink? "Milk! and juice"
18. What is your favorite holiday? "Happy Cow is my favorite"
19. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? "Mine teddy bear"
20. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? "Sandwiches. M&Ms"
21. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? "Cheerios"
22. What do you want to be when you grow up? "60. 60 units per hour"

*note: I think it's clear that I lost him around question #18.....

 Look how pitiful he looks at the doctor's office. You'd never know from this picture, but he LOVES going there. He loves Dr. Lookadoo, and in fact he will fake injuries and then tell me "I'm hurt, please take me to the doctor."

 Max's 3 year stats:
Height: 38" , which is 66%
Weight: 35.2, which is 83%
Uh oh, this doen't look so good. However, when we measured Max at home, he was an inch taller. I'm going to go with our measurement and assume that he's taller than the nurse measured. That doesn't look like very good technique in the picture above anyway :)