D is Three!

Danny is three years old!  Don't even get me started on how fast time is slipping away.  Over the past three years we have learned that, apart from being larger-than-average, our boy is also extremely sensitive, intelligent, active, competitive, independent, observant, and (for now) wants to be exactly like his big sister and brother.  It goes without saying (but I'll say it anyway) that we cannot imagine our lives without this kid!

We had a special "family celebration day" the weekend before his birthday.  The day started with his favorite breakfast...doughnuts!  Oma and Opa also stopped in to give D a hug and to wish him happy birthday on their way home from their vacation.

What could be more perfect than a doughnut with "D" sprinkles?!

Next, we headed off for a fun day at Brookfield Zoo.  The kids loved seeing new kinds of animals, doing art projects, and exploring the kids' center.

Ready for the fun to begin!

Hump envy.

The giraffe enclosure had a video of the birth of a baby giraffe that didn't seem to impress the kids much but left Chris and me in awe of these majestic creatures.

One of the biggest reasons we wanted to take D to Brookfield?  The buffaloes!

Of course we had to get him a wax mold of his favorite animal (which meant we had to get wax molds for the other kids too, which meant we wasted a lot of money on wax molds).

The kids learned a lot.  A lot.

During lunch, Brookfield's free-roaming peacocks kept us company (and begged for scraps).

Shell envy.

Pretty bird.

So many fun things to do in the kids' center.

Don't poke the seals!

Daddy made a friend.

Two bees and a dragonfly.

Post zoo zzzzzzzzs.

Danny's favorite movie is Moana and his favorite song is "We Know The Way" (which he calls the "oway oway song").  So when we got home from the zoo, we continued our celebration Moana-style!

The best part about the cake?  The boat comes off and floats in the bath!

Posing with his special Moana balloon.

3 year old 3-pointer

Happy birthday to our sweet D!

His presents included Maui pajamas, a basketball, a Daniel Tiger trolley, and a new fishing pole!

A few days later, it was his actual birthday.  Even though the "celebration" part was over, we still made sure his special day was as special as he is.

More doughnuts for the birthday boy.

More presents too, including more Moana toys from Dora!

Getting birthday hugs from his sibs while wearing the special crown that Jill made him.

And of course, more cake and candles.

Happy birthday, kiddo.  Every day with you is a gift.  We love you!