Brooks is 3

We had so much fun celebrating the kids birthdays two weekends ago.  We had a few of their friends and a few of ours over for an afternoon party, a bike parade, dinner and cake.  The weather  held out as much as we could hope for - at least no snow!  The kids decorated their bikes with balloons and streamers and took off down the sidewalk to the end of the block.  We got one group picture and headed back home to eat fruit snacks and get warm!

The strider bikes were very popular and the kids were flying down the sidewalk.  Brooks has really taken to his bike since christmas and loves to ride and lift his feet up. 

Cupcakes!  Hard to see but there are little bike riders on some of these.  so cute!

On Brooks's real birthday we took Xander out with us for dinner at Red Robin.  This is the boys favorite place and they loved eating burgers and fries together.  The waitress even made Brooks a special "allergy free" birthday dessert and brought the boys smoothies! 

Our sweet neighbors also gave Brooks this cool construction bathrobe - he could not be cuter in it!  Other birthday gifts included Uno Moo- a new family favorite game, floor puzzles, airplanes, stickers, baseballs and the picnic table below.   The table has moved into our kitchen and the kids love playing and eating there - even kate who has taken up coloring!

a few other things we want to remember about Brooks as he turns 3:

• when we ask him a question, he answers "Yes I Do."  so formal
• he is learning more and more of his letters and can spell his name
• he knows lots of shapes and all his colors
• he likes to play "Red Rover" and we think learned it at school.  we play in the kitchen and the criteria usually involves what color shirts we are all wearing!
• he takes about 6 stuffed animals to bed with him - of course his "puppy," curious george, another monkey, his "brooks" bear, a bear that plays music (usually on) and a turtle that lights up stars on the ceiling - and two blankets and two pillows - all in a toddler bed - very crowded!
• he loves reading two books before bed every night.  we have learned that books are his "currency" and when they are taken away for bad behavior we usually see a change. 
• he loves camping and hiking in our basement with daddy - making pretend campfires, bringing his backpack and using tennis rackets to sing "campfire songs."
• Brooks is still a little tentative in some situations (jumping, meeting new people) but also seems a little extroverted at times (if someone is asking questions about things he feels confident in - animal sounds, airplanes, construction equipment.  Overall his personality is a bit on the shy side right now.
• at his 3 year check-up he weighed 35 pounds and was 39" tall