Miles turns 3.

I know, I can't believe it either.

This year, for the first time, Miles was aware of what a birthday is and what happens at a birthday party. He was able to answer in a sophisticated fashion in the last month or so, if anyone asked his age, "I'm two. But I going to be three. On July 8th."


On his birthday eve, we let him open two presents: books, from his Aunt and Uncle in Oregon, and a harmonica! from Aunty Leah (Eeyaya) and family.

He's a huge enthusiast already.

 .
On his birthday morning, we let him open the rest of his presents from family.

 From Grandpa Jim: some totally hot shoes, a sun hat...

 And from his parents and Grandpa together, the "Jesus Loves Me Book" he'd been asking for.

 Grandpa and Grandma Grunert got him this awesome backpack because, as many of you know... my baby starts preschool in the fall. Which is totally inconceivable and yet, somehow, is happening.

Not shown here.... sundry other gifts including a big bad o' train parts from Mum and Papa, LOTS of crayons (yay!!), a spirograph (remember those?), books... I know there are more. He's a lucky kid.

Later that day.... partytime!
We were so fortunate as to be able to reserve Miles' favorite place in Blacksburg: Price House Nature Center.


The theme was caterpillars, butterflies... and other crawling things.

 Miles and I had spent three forevers making favors. All because I had it in my head that he should help to make the favors at his own party. I think it was probably a valuable lesson to him, and we'll discover years from now that it helped make him a better, more considerate boy (right?).

 Seriously, though, we had a blast. It's funny, but once you glue googly eyes on something, it suddenly seems to acquire a soul and a personality. Miles spoke to each one and I had to come up with a specific voice for each caterpillar and butterfly snack bag or We Couldn't Move On.

 CAKE! Kroger wins again.

 A couple of Miles' little friends from church came and the volunteer gave us an introduction to the Price House reptiles!

 We learned more about and were allowed to pet the red eared slider turtles.

Parenthetical: Adele wants to walk real bad.

 We also got to buddy up with the snakes! I pet that critter. Yeah, I'm proud.

 Oh, yeah, and all the kids pet it sooner and more enthusiastically than I did. Whatever. They haven't seen as many nature films as I have.

 Adele valiantly stayed awake through the whole thing (Why...?).

The bear got into the party spirit, too.

 By my definition, a kid is no longer a baby when it becomes hard to find footed pajamas in their size. And I have not yet had any difficulty finding footed pajamas in 3T.

 Which is fortunate. Because I am not yet ready to relinquish his babyhood.

What does a 3-year-old wish for? Cake? If so, they are wiser than we.

Awesome tractor, Hannah and Baden!

Happy Birthday, Miles FJ!