"I'm free!"

That's how Ethan says he's three.  The kid had quite the birthday weekend this year.  It started with his party on March 31 which we celebrated with all of his friends and ours.   We kept it simple this year and just rented out a park and pavilion.  It started at 10, so we had breakfast tacos and donuts for everyone to enjoy while the kids played on the playground. 

We went with a WordWorld theme this year since Ethan is pretty much obsessed with the show and watches it every morning while he eats breakfast.  I had fun locating supplies on craigslist since they don't make anything anymore (we even had some sent from Arizona), and I made a few other decorations.  Since Paula was still staying with us, I also recruited her help for the cupcakes.  We made all the fondant toppers in the shape of WordWorld characters, and I have to say they were my favorite part.

The park

The banner using the WordWorld font

The food

The favors

Decorations

The kids' table

The birthday boy

The cupcakes (unfortunately there was a slight humidity problem that screwed them up a little)

Blowing out the candles

He chose the dog cupcake (his favorite character)

With two of his favorite people, Nana and Paula

With Mommy and Daddy

His variation on the slide

Getting tickled by a buddy

After nap, looking at all the presents.

The next day, we had family over to do a little celebrating.  We cooked burgers and had more cupcakes and opened more presents.  It was a nice, low-key celebration that wasn't even really planned.

Birthday candles, take 2

Another dog cupcake

Finally, on his actual birthday, Ethan woke up to balloons everywhere.  I really wanted him to know it was his real birthday and to make a big deal about it (my mom always made it a big deal when I was a kid, and I loved it).

Playing with the balloons

I love this next picture because it's how he looks after he wakes up almost every morning.  Pant leg up, Gus tucked under his arm, walking down the hall. 

In the hall

Then we had pancakes for breakfast and headed out to the bounce house to meet some friends.  He bounced himself crazy all morning and then decided he wanted Amaya's for lunch, so we all headed there afterward.  Then, for dinner, we went to the cheesy fry place as Ethan calls it with Nana, Paula, and Don, which is another of his favorite eateries.  We ended the day at my mom's so we could open presents with her, my grandma, and Paula. 

Candles, take 3

And he had a blast opening presents.

So, that was the extended birthday weekend.  My baby is three.  He's so much fun, so sweet, and so smart, and he says the funniest things.  We love him to pieces for sure.