Professional Pics at an Affordable Price

Without the ever-talented Melissa around or my super-cool Annie to take pictures of my little boy, I had to settle for my next choice: JC Penney. Although I have been semi-satisfied in the past, I was pleasantly surprised at the outcome of my visit this time. It might have been how excited and cooperative that Tyler was that helped the pictures to turn out so cute, or the fact that we actually got a photographer that knew how to work the camera and work WITH the subject of the pictures, but I almost felt bad paying so little for what I purchased. Anyhow, here were the results:
The photographer asked me to sign a photographic release for this one...

Tyler's 3rd Birthday PARTIES

Party #1

Not really a party, actually just a family thing. We started out the actual birthday DAY by making the cake. I promise I didn't force Tyler to make his own cake - he wanted to...

After we baked the cake, we headed off to Toys-R-Us while it cooled, to use Tyler's birthday club coupon - $3 off any item $3 or more. He picked out a motorcycle that cost $2.99. I'm already raising a bargain shopper.

Then we came home and iced and decorated the golf cake.

Tyler helped by licking the leftover icing.

After Daddy got home from work, we opened presents. His stack was amazing - even to me - especially with the few extra presents Daddy threw in last minute.

Tyler wanted to open the "hockey stick" first. Really?! How could you even tell that's what it was? I wrapped it!!

After everything was opened, the mess was grand but the loot was grander. He made out with new hockey skates, gloves, and a stick, a mickey mouse laptop, some cars from the movie Cars, a dry erase board activity pad, some hockey books, a Nerf gun, and a watch.

Unfortunately the hockey skates were way too big...

Even though we bought the smallest size.

After presents, we went to Red Robin for the birthday feast! Tyler insisted on getting "ungin rings." He ate the breaded part and threw the onion part out.

They also sang to him at the restaurant, during which he hid his head in the crook of my elbow. After they left he told me "I was just so shy of them" and then proceeded to start eating the free ice cream sundae they brought him.

After we got home from the restaurant, we decided there was no room left in our tummies for cake and ice cream, but ate some anyway.

THREE candles? I can't believe my baby is that big!!

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Party #2

Grandma A, Grandpa A, Lucy, Jamie, & Kris come over for cupcakes and presents.

Present score once again with a sticker book, some money, a giant operating forklift, and some "noculars."

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Party #3

We head off to see Grandma L, Grandpa L, Chris, Austin, Allan, Wade, and Stacie at their house. Dinner consisted of fish sticks, french fries, tater tots, chicken fingers, mozzarella sticks, and tons of dipping sauce...all the things Tyler loves.

Then, Tyler scored big ONCE again with Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Toy Story the movie, a Nerf Shotgun, and a puzzle.

After presents we had hockey cake and ice cream. Tyler got to blow out candles for the third time. His lungs are getting stronger...

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Party #4

Pajama party with the dance girls. At the request of my three year old, a bunch of teenage dance students ranging from 14-17 came over for a pajama party - complete with a pillow fight, movie, pizza, snacks, Twister, and ice cream sundaes.

Tyler hunted girls with his new shotgun.

We talked and laughed A LOT.

We played Twister. Tyler won by default (he pushed everyone else over).

We watched a movie and had snacks.

And opened MORE presents - books, puzzles, and stuffed animals.

Oh - and we had a keg. A root beer keg.

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Needless to say, I am all partied out, but Tyler had A BLAST for his birthday. Over the week of his birthday we also went to a Caps game and went Ice Skating at the National Gallery of Art Rink. (Those pictures to come later). Hopefully this is a birthday he will never forget. And hopefully I will not be made to outdo myself next year...