Paxton's Three

...Paxton Bailey's three...

...Paxton has been talking about this big birthday for quite some time....he's been excited to not be two anymore...to be 'ffrrrreeeeeee' as he says...he wanted to go to Chucky Cheese with his siblings...he wanted Thomas Twain pwesents and a Thomas Twain Cake...

...and it's funny because each of their birthday's have been unique in the celebration....a lot by request but also a lot by trial and error.....and we decided that for this third birthday of Paxton's...it would be simple...some family...some cake...some presents....and siblings....because he starts preschool on Monday, which is significantly later than his siblings started school...so the others already had lots of preschool friends at this point...thus it was different for Paxy's day...

...but gauging from the smiles that started at 6:30am...I think we chose wisely for this one...

...he started with a present from Pops when he first woke...and it was Thomas mini's which he loved...

...and I chuckle just thinking about how I started this post as a Birthday of simplicity...because I guess it wasn't super simple...it just wasn't a party...

....this little guy has created train memories with Daddy in years past and this AM was no different...they dressed up and hit the road for a coffee and donuts ride from downtown to Kirkwood...

...he still loves trains which makes me so happy because his brother had outgrown it by this age...and Ava was happy to be my sidekick to pick him up and get his Birthday supplies while we waited for him to finish his train ride...

...here comes our boys!...

...and while my Friday routine is PB&J at home...we decided we wanted to do something different...me and my lunch bunch party of three...so while Paxton requested McDonalds...Ava convinced him that Chick Fil A is waaaaayyyyyyyy better Buddy...you can trade in your toy for an ice cream cone...and I did ask more than once but Ava is persuasive...one ice cream cone comment and he was in...

...and we are so lucky because we have our GREAT grandparents only three hours away in Indiana...and they rarely miss a Birthday celebration....and they also bring presents for every kiddo...not just the Birthday boy...so needless to say there is a lot of excitement for them to arrive...so after some snuggles and gifts.... we loaded up for some party time with the big rat...as Daddy and I so eloquently put it...

...and while I don't want to give away my secrets...Friday at 4:45 is the puuuuuurfeccccct time to hit up Chucky...no one is there yet and you can play, play, play without worry...

...no waiting for any ride you want...and with cards loaded full from great Grandma Uma...they were all smiles...

...and we did bring Chase...but he was zipping around so fast that we didn't snap any pictures...he and Ava are starting to really excel at Ski Ball and Paxton loves anything that is a ride...

...he also loves Thomas Train and cakes so this was a no brainer....our local grocery makes the very best cakes and has a huge book of options that my kiddos love to look through...so when he found the page that had the Thomas options...he squealed with delight...

...You would think after 5 years of blogging I could make this straight...

...and this cake came with these toys on top....its the little things to a three year old...

...everyone likes to celebrate in this house...

...and then it was time for presents...or pwesents....

...and some presents got used sooner than later...

...and so with his Grammie and Papa and Gwama Uma and Poppy and siblings in tow...this little guy had a great day turning freee....and was up until late in the evening and got to enjoy the weekend of waking up with Grandparents in the house...one of our favorite things....

...and running around town all weekend with them for fun and food and truly wearing everyone out...

...it is interesting because each Birthday gets documented a little less...but perhaps enjoyed a little more...and while I was shocked and even filled with a bit of guilt over my lack of photos....my trusty helpers sent me theirs...and I am reminded that it is about the moments...not the momentos....

...and just like that my baby is three...he is 43 lbs...far to heavy to carry....but gets carried as much as most infants...he is tough as nails and holds his own against his siblings in any match...but snuggles more than the other two combined....and his zest for life and all things big kid is matched by his wavering interest in being full potty trained or venturing into his school room without mom or dad....he loves trains, monster trucks, Daniel Tiger, his family and his blankets...he talks more than most five year olds and loves to eat....and is just so darn fun to be around...I am both honored and blessed to get to raise this sweet little dude....

...Happy Birthday Sweet Baby Pax...