Bryson's 30th Birthday

In case you didn't know, my husband's 30th birthday was last Friday.  We actually spent the evening out at our friends' wedding (congratulations again, Ben and Stephanie!) so we didn't celebrate his birthday much until the next day.

For Father's Day we started a new tradition for Bryson.  I got the idea out of Real Simple magazine and thought it was too good to pass up.  I bought an inexpensive sketch pad and had the kids draw in it as his birthday gift.  Any time they want to/need to give him a gift, they can draw - and eventually write letters - in this sketch pad.  I'm sure we'll have to get a new one down the road, but I was excited to finally find something that the kids themselves could give to their dad.




Bryson taught Baylor about the color wheel recently, and when I suggested to Baylor that he could draw one for his dad he set to work.  He got a bowl and drew the circle, asked for a ruler and drew the pie pieces, and then filled in all the colors.  He only got mixed up when he put blue in, but other than that he was a total champ!

We went to my parents' house on the 25th to celebrate Bryson's birthday.  He got to open his gifts right away, and Baylor was more than willing to help him out.

Baylor quickly lost interest, though, and moved on to enjoying some stickers while Bryson opened his gifts from my parents and sister.

Mollie got to color a bit during the gift opening.  She actually prefers coloring with pen to coloring with crayons, though I have no idea why.

Pretty soon, it was time for Baylor to check out the little clock and watch it chime.  He's a little grabby with it sometimes, so Aunt Christine provided a little supervision.

This look says it all:  "Yay!  I don't have to do any clothes shopping for myself!  Ah woo hoo!"

Mollie and Oma got to spend some time together ...

... before we headed outside.  It was a gorgeous evening, so we were planning on eating dinner on the poolside patio.  Baylor got to do some important watering before dinner.

He even had the forethought to put his finger in the spout to keep it from spilling while we made the trek to the tomato plants on the other side of the pool.

Of course, he's only two-and-a-half, so spreading out the water over three plants required a little too much reserve from him.

For whatever reason, Mollie thought it would be fun to get the little toy torpedo out of the pool toys and carry it around.

Soon, though, she tired of carrying the surprisingly heavy toy around and went back to the bin for something a little more portable. 

Unfortunately, on her way out the door, just moments after the above picture was taken, she did a face plant into the concrete and banged her head and nose up pretty good.  Lots of crying ensued, a bruise formed on her forehead, a scratch appeared on her nose, and a binky was required. 

Once all the commotion had passed, the birthday boy got to spend a little time just sitting and relaxing.

With his watering finished, Baylor got to play with his water wheel.  Unfortunately, in spite of our pleas, he sat on the ground, soaking his shorts and diaper.  Later, he was granted a wardrobe change on the patio.

Mollie, seizing the opportunity to play with the watering can, decided that Grandpa E's car needed a little washing-up.

Soon enough, it was time for dinner.  I got to sit between two pretty special little people.

Yes, it makes dinner a little more hectic when you're flanked by two under the age of three, but loving them to the ends of the earth helps.

After dinner, we played a little more inside then got to enjoy some mixed berry, crumble top pie my mom and sister made for my husband. 

The pie was delicious, the company was wonderful, and we all really enjoyed the evening.  Thanks again to my family for making Bryson's birthday so special!  (And for giving us the other half of the pie!)