Daniel's 3rd Birthday

I cannot believe that my little boy is almost 3! Where has that time gone? 

Before Mum and Dad headed off on their wonderful adventure overseas they gave Daniel his birthday presents at our Thursday night dinner. Daniel was very excited to get his drawing book and puzzles.

The week before his birthday we celebrated him by having a party with family at the park. We set up a table with some food and drinks while Daniel enjoyed riding his bike on the path and playing on the equipment. James dried the slides as they were wet after the night and Oscar and Daniel enjoyed having a slide competition (which Oscar clearly won!).

It was just a small gathering today but that's ok. It was still a nice one still and Daniel really enjoyed playing at the park, seeing everyone and eating cake/fruit/veggies. Daniel is so lucky that he has so many people in his family who love him. He is a very special boy!

Daniel's cake was a giraffe cake. I asked him to look at the Woman's Weekly Cookbook to decide which cake he would like. His first choice was the same cake as last year (the Hickory Dickory Dock one) which I said no to. He then chose the dollyvarden doll but I told him that Nana has the tin for that one and she was away so he had to choose again. I asked if he wanted a car or the racing car track but he said 'no'. Dear. He then turned the page to the giraffe and said 'I want that one'. I asked him if he was sure and if he wanted a car instead. He said 'No, I want the giraffe'. Decision made. I then thought that I could make it a bit more personal by having a branch with leaves on it like the ones we used to feed the giraffes in New Zealand. The result I was pretty happy with. 

The structure

Icing on

Giraffe is complete

Branch added

The finished product

Daniel said to Jenny, 
"It's my birthday! We will sing happy birthday to me! And I have an upside down giraffe cake!"  
That's what happens when he is made to sit behind the cake each time. So I guess that's a pretty good result. 

Here are some photos from the party.

Oscar was straight into the cupcakes

Slide races

Enjoying his bike

Daniel took Auntie Jenny for an adventure

Eliza had a nap during the party. Parry animal

The wind stopped for the candles to be lit

All eyes on the cake

Blowing out the candles

The cake was devoured

Party people

Eliza enjoyed sneaking a ride on the bike when Daniel wasn't looking and going on the slide with Auntie Jenny

Was lovely to see Aunty Shirley and Aunty Julie

Daniel and Oscar spinning around.
"Daniel is safe because he has his seatbelt on" Oscar says

Before people left I asked Daniel if he wanted to open his presents from people. He said no and decided to keep playing (fair enough). When we came home (after Lachie's 3rd Birthday Party and nap time) we asked him if he wanted to open presents. He said yes. He opened the one from Grayma first and was excited to get a fishing game. It was great watching him play with it. We asked if he wanted to open the other presents and he said "No." Then he played with the fishing kit for around 15mins. Yay for a fun present! Eventually he decided he wanted to open the other presents and also had a great time playing with them and looking at the different things (magnifying glass, craft box, duplo, t-shirts). 

Can't believe in a week he will be 3!

Daniel's actual birthday was a nice one. He was able to Facetime Nana and Poppy while they were away. 

We then had present time. He liked his new Swans dressing gown and has enjoyed wearing it since his birthday.

Eliza and James liked looking on. 

He was very excited to open his new cricket set and was very keen to get outside and give it a go. He is pretty good with his shots.

 We organised a catch up with some friends at Brooklyn. Daniel and I made some cupcakes to share with them and he had fun decorating them.

The cupcakes were a hit at the park.

Then Boompa was able to come around for dinner which was great! After dinner we had some present time. Daniel was quite excited to get some creative presents.

 Happy 3rd Birthday beautiful boy! You are a joy and a blessing to us all!