Sunday, May 5, 2013

Carter's Third Birthday Party

Today was Fire Chief Carter's third birthday party.  The weather forecast had been looking rough all week calling for showers and overcast skies.  So we were shocked and thrilled when right at party time, the skies cleared and the sun came out!  It turned out to be a beautiful afternoon.

Carter asked for a fire truck party so we planned a fun trip at a local park.  Carter invited his friends from school, the neighborhood, family and family friends.  We were so lucky that so many wonderful people were able to spend the day with us!

The kids (and adults) played in the sand...
and on the playground while we waited for the main attraction.
Carter saw his birthday banner and thought that was what the fuss was all about.
But little did he know what was right around the corner.  With lights on and sirens blaring, a fire truck came driving up to the party.  Carter immediately stopped what he was doing and ran screaming towards the truck.  His face lit up and he had a permanent look of shock on his face.  
Carter immediately ran up to the fireman to ask about the truck and where his fire hat was.
The fireman gathered all the kids around to tell them about the truck.  The kids listened intently.
After getting their instructions, the kids ran to check out the truck.
Testing out the seat
Uncle Reid was on watch with Carter and to make sure he doesn't fall off duty
Carter telling Reid what everything is
Uncle Micheal took Parker up top and I love our neighbor Lucas in the background!
Uncle Micheal and Cousin Samantha
Testing out the wheel
Little baby in a big truck!
The kids had a blast climbing all over the truck!  But then the real fun came.  The kids got to go on a ride!  Carter sat up front next to the fireman with Cousin Samantha, our neighbor Jack and his friend Julian (Julian's dad jumped in too and took some great pictures for us!).
The kids little heads in the big truck.  
Carter starting the truck
Helping drive
Trying on the hat (while sharing a seat belt with Samantha!)
Entertaining the fireman
The fire truck took a little ride around the block for 10 minutes or so.  It came back to get another load of kids so Carter took advantage of the other truck at the party... the ice cream truck!
And thanks to Uncle Micheal, Parker took advantage too!
The ice cream truck was definitely a hit with the kids!
We were very fortunate to have lots of family on hand to help us watch the kids!
Especially because the fire truck was back and dad really wanted to take a ride!
It was a family affair as Uncle Reid and Cousin Samantha sat on one side
While Carter (with neighbor Jack and his snow cone) sat on the other side.
We took advantage of the truck and took a family picture.
And a few of the kids (with treats)
With his friends from school: Brynn, John Paul, Brynn's brother, Jack, Carter and Julianna
We also took some fun pictures with the fire truck poster.
And soon it was time for cake (yes we had an ice cream truck and a cake)... fire truck themed of course!
Carter was slightly confused when everyone gathered around and started to sing to him but he loved it!
It took a few tries but he blew out all three candles.
Carter got the biggest grin on his face when everyone clapped after he blew out the last candle.  I was too busy watching to take a picture but I have a fabulous mental image of it.  That was definitely the best moment of the day!

Despite all the ice cream, everyone wanted cake too!
Parker enjoyed a few bites (with Uncle Micheal of course!).
After cake, the kids played for a while and slowly trickled home.  They took with them a fun goodie bag with a fire hat, fire balloon, fire truck book and stuffed dalmatian.
Carter had a great day!  And hopefully all our guests did too.  We had so much fun seeing all our friends and are extremely grateful for everyone who came to celebrate!

Saturday, May 4, 2013

Someone is Three!

What a fun day!  Everyone was really excited that Carter's birthday was finally here!  He even got a few presents to celebrate.
He was really excited to see everything.
Since it was raining outside, the boys took a few laps around the house in the jeep.  Carter loved it (but Parker may have liked it the best!).
After the fun, we tried to get a picture with the birthday boy but he was much more interested in going back to play with his toys.
Carter got spoiled even more when MiMi came over with some fun gifts.  
Always on theme, Mimi got some gifts for our little fire chief in the making.  What little boy doesn't want a fire/police doll house?
And a fire fighter outfit?
Even sweet Parker got to try it on.
We spend the day playing with Carter's new toys, attending two birthday parties and preparing for Carter's party tomorrow.  But most importantly we spend the day showering our new 3 year-old with lots of love!  Happy Birthday sweet boy!

Carter at Age 3

Here is Carter Holden's Stat Sheet at Age 3 (as answered by Carter himself)!

Physical Stats
Weight -  30.8lbs (31st percentile)
Height -  37-1/2" (51st percentile)
BMI -  15 (17th percentile)

Likes/Dislikes
Favorite Food - banana
Favorite Activities - go to the zoo, swim, play with his friends
Favorite Color - purple and blue

Favorite Song - Itsy Bitsy Spider
Favorite TV Show - Dinosaur Train and Chuggington
Favorite Activity at School - art and music class
Favorite Activity Outside - soccer
Dislikes - be alone, go to the potty, bad things
Least Favorite Food - honey, carrots and pepper


Random Facts
Best friend - Parker
What do you want to be when you grow up - a monster

Family Facts
Favorite thing to do with Daddy - read books
Favorite thing to do with Mommy - play
Favorite thing to do with Parker - play with his books and trains

Friday, May 3, 2013

Carter's Birthday at Preschool

Carter is one lucky kid.  He got a whole long 3 day weekend to celebrate his birthday!  It started today at school with a party for him and Ryan (they share a birthday).  Birthdays at school mean you get a cool crown, fun sticker and a celebratory song/parade from your friends.  It starts with the birthday boy sitting in the red chair (decked out with crown and sticker).
Then the rest of the class sings their Happy Birthday song really loud and does a dance with streamers while circling the birthday boy.
Afterwards, they take a class picture...
And then it is snack time!
Carter picked out Cars fruit snacks and airplanes plates to bring in (Ryan brought brownies and napkins).
Carter had a blast being the center of attention!
It was a fun day at school but tomorrow will be even more fun because Carter isn't one...
Or Two...
But a full fledged Three-Year Old little man!
Happy Birthday Eve Carter!

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

April at Preschool

Carter had a great month at Preschool.  They started the month with their formal class picture (3 kids are missing).  Don't they all look so happy ;)
They had several fun units this month:
Flowers - made stain glass windows and hand print flowers, read books about gardening and learned a new song "I am Special"
Farm Animals - made a barnyard with all the animals and even a tractor, went gardening in the sensory table and made sheep
Teddy Bears - painted teddy bears using chocolate pudding, sorted bears based on color, counted bears and matched to numbers and even got to wear their pajamas to school and bring their favorite lovie for show and tell.

Here are some pictures from April.
Proud of his Painting
Art class with Charlie, Talia and Jack
Class on Pajama Day
Carter picked out his Micky Mouse pajamas and a pair of leggings to wear
All the classes book-bags lined up with their lovies