Happy Birthday, Noah!

Well my Little (he'll be on to me for that nickname one day . . . ) turned 3 on Saturday.  Three.  3.  Hard to get my mind around.  He was much more into having a birthday than I remember Ella being at three.  When I picked him up from school he said 'mum!  It's my birthday soon!'  Yes, son, just one more sleep!

And so his birthday dawned, and of course, after days of defying the magical Groclock (which lets than know when they can get out of bed), Noah sleeps in on his birthday!  I may or may not have snuck in and whispered 'hey buddy, it's your birthday!'

He was quite taken by the large McQueen balloon we had waiting for him at the table, along with some gifts from family.  

He opened the gifts (according to his preference for the wrapping paper), while skyping with family in Texas.  Technology sure is wonderful.  

One thing I really enjoy doing to celebrate my kid's birthdays is to make a special cake.  Whether we have a party or not, it is something I have done for them each year.  It's usually a cake they have chosen or one that I feel captures something they enjoy.  And for Noah, that would be cars and trucks.  Jason and I worked together on this one.  I'm happy with how it turned out, but mostly thrilled at Noah's reaction.  He loved it!

The party spread.  I have loads of respect for my parents who threw great parties for us at home.  They never seemed tired or stressed or exhausted in the process!

How to ensure party success?  Zip 'em into the trampoline!

I asked Ella to go and ask if they were ready to play Pass the Parcel.  It seemed like just seconds later they were all inside and sitting ready to play.  Noah, bless him, had the hardest time focusing.  He was way more interested in the music DVD we had playing for the game.  "Noah.  Noah!  NOAH!  Pass the parcel, bud!"

Cake time!  The kid's were quite fascinated by this cake with trucks stuck to it.

Little man now has his own scooter.  And guess who likes his scooter more than her Hello Kitty one.  Yep.  Noah's scooter has three wheels.  Ella's, just two.  I guess she feels more secure and safe on his.  I really feel I can't win some days!!!

Ready to roll.  

Whaley birthdays aren't complete without number pancakes. 

Noah -- you are a treasure.  Yesterday you told me, 'mum, you are my best friend!'  You somehow manage to melt my heart every day.  And sometimes I want to set my hair on fire!  :-)  But how I love you and thank God for you, and how I pray for wisdom and overflowing love as we raise you.  Happy Birthday!

Noah

There is so, so much to love about this little boy.  Who happens to be turning THREE next week and I happen to be having a hard time with him being so big.  Thankfully at least once a day, he asks me 'mama, nuggle with me'.  And so I do.  I climb into his bed and we 'nuggle' (he can't say his 's's at the start of words, so we have 'nuggle, and 'nack and so on).  

Cheeky to his core, this boy.  Rough and yet gentle.  Fiesty and yet tenderhearted; often the first to share.  

And recently, oh so creative.  

'I'm making an egg for you!'

So much concentration required

'Here's your egg mum!'

Quick visit

We had a lovely visit with our friends from Canberra this past Sunday.  We didn't think we were going to get all of our visits in this year (usually one in Canberra, one in Wollongong and one at Camp Challenge).  But thanks to them holidaying kinda-sorta near us, we were able to have a quick but lovely visit.

The girls didn't waste a second.  I honestly don't think they'd been here much more than five minutes before they got into the Princess outfits!

They can hardly contain themselves!  Our beautiful Snow White and Cinderella.  Mental note to myself and Kate, pack dress up clothes for camp.  I'm not sure these two would handle five nights without dress up clothes very well.

This was the best we could do for a pic

Thanks for coming our way, Jennings family.  See you at Camp! 

I stumbled upon this mosiac pin board at KMart.  I had a similar one as a child and had searched for them online, but hadn't found any.  So I was excited to find this one.  The kids have loved it and what great value . . . now just $8 (I paid $10, oh well).  It might buy you a few minutes and your kids a chance to share, be creative, and use those fine motor skills!

 Noah's recent fascination is the octopus, so that's what he was making.

Or, you might just join in like I did today.

Wheels

There's just no way for me to catch up on blog posts.  "Just start where you're at" . . . isn't that what they say?  But tonight, I came across these pictures from about seven (!!!) months ago and thought I'd share.  Man time FLIES!  My boy has more hair these days, this little bike is in the boot of the car about to be gifted to the Salvos (since Noah is going to be 3 in just a few weeks and will get to enjoy something a little more age appropriate!), and that wet stuff...what is that?  Rain?!  A rare thing these days.

I love this boy.  I love that at night he calls out 'mama, nuggle me'.  And when I crawl into his bed, he won't rest until his head is touching mine.  And I love that he'll throw caution to the wind and tear down our driveway on a rainy day.  And I absolutely can't believe that my Little is going to be three so very soon!