Happy Birthday Little Man

You thought it would never get here.  Ever since your cousin Olivia's birthday last spring, you've been enamored with the idea of the birthday party.  Cake?  Balloons?  Presents?  Yes, please!  And yet it seemed everybody was having a birthday except you.  First Daddy, then Elena.  It didn't help that our family seems to drag these celebrations out, making it seem like not only was everybody else having a birthday, but they were getting two or three at a time.  It must seem so arbitrary to you.

Finally, it came.  I love that it's so simple to make you happy.  Chocolate cake was your only request.  I think you were pleased.

Your gift was a no-brainer.  A Tony Hawk skateboard and a skater helmet, tiny kneepads.  Somehow, putting on that helmet made you look years older.  Or maybe it's because you're grabbing yourself like every man I've ever known.  

Someday you will probably have wild birthday parties.  You will not want a homemade cake decorated with Legos, and you most certainly will not want your mother participating in the festivities.  You might end the evening with a nice refreshing pee outside.  It will not be nearly as cute 18 years from now, but maybe if you smile at the officer like you smiled when you were 3, he'll give you a pass.  I know I nearly always do.

Happy 3rd birthday little man.