Pizza and Ice Cream: Happy 3rd Birthday Ben

I am quite late in posting this, but Ben had a few weeks of birthday celebration, it seemed. He better not get used to that :)

On the actual day of his birthday, March 10, I was at a women's retreat for most of the day. Ryan took Ben and Nate, along with friends Daren and Jackson to the mall for a Dr. Seuss thing. We knew it was risky since Ben is terrified of large, costumed characters and he did keep his distance, but had a good time.

Coloring sheets before the show.

Do you see the red stripped hat in the center of the photo? Ryan took this pic to show me that this is as close as Ben was willing to get to the Cat in the Hat!

Story time with the local news anchors. Bottom left of photo - Nate is turned around looking in the stroller, Ben is behind him in yellow and Daren is on Ben's right holding Jackson.

Although I had the retreat, I was allowed to leave early to participate in birthday dinner with my family. Ben requested a "home birthday" meaning he did not want to go out to dinner, but instead wanted yellow mac-n-cheese. He calls it yellow because the Kraft box has yellow on it rather than the homemade (and much healthier) mac-n-cheese that we serve often in our home. He was willing to go to Orange Leaf for some froyo though :)

We didn't plan ahead very well and hadn't purchased many gifts for him even though the birthday money from relatives had arrived. We could not get a feel for what he really wanted. I am glad we waited though because we eventually decided on a little outdoor playhouse and both boys LOVE it!

Ben was anxiously waiting for Nate to wake up from his nap to come play with him. He set up both their little chairs inside the house and waited. When Nate woke up (happy) and came out to play, he clearly did not want to sit beside Ben.

Making dinner!

The beginnings of a lifetime friendship!

He also had his first experience spending his own money. He got a check that Ryan let him help deposit (we scan our deposits) and Ben thought that was so fun.

He also received $20 cash that we let him put in his wallet and carry to the store in his back pocket and he picked out his own toy. He loved it! We went to a local little toy store and the owners loved Ben as much as he loved getting the toy. It was so fun!

Then, my mom came to town a few days later during her Spring Break so we hosted a party on the patio and asked all our friends and co-workers to stop by. He had a great turn-out. The wind was crazy that day though!

Always willing to lick the spatula.

Nate is getting to join big brother on the counter most days now. Cooking is a family affair.

Before the party even started the helium balloons were taken by the wind but saved by the branches. Josh was kind enough to cut them down and we managed to save them.