Celebrate!

Around here, we believe in stretching out the celebrations for as long as possible, so the party started on his actual birthday (Tuesday) with a birthday lunch with Daddy downtown, and then his request for dinner . . . macaroni and cheese and chocolate cupcakes.  Mmmm.  The cupcakes also made an appearance at school the next day as the celebration continued with his classmates.

We picked things up again on Saturday with the arrival of the grandparents.  Here Gram and Putty help Walt feed his "Belly Bank" . . . just one of the MANY presents he received.  It's too bad nobody loves this kid.

He had a little help from his buds in opening presents during his party.   Kids are helpful that way.

Blowing candles out is not one of Walt's strong suits.  You'll notice that all the air is going up straight up into his bangs.  We'll work on that before next year.

Some of the party guests (not naming any names, but last name rhymes with "arrow") gave Walt a set of percussion instruments, which precipitated an impromptu jam session.  I guess they've never heard the phrase "turn about is fair play".  We have eight months to think of the PERFECT gift for Mer!

Even the daddies got into the act.  Chris plays a mean triangle. 

Thanks to all who made Walt's birthday so much fun!

Three

Hard to believe, I know, but the kiddo turns three today!  The little shin-dig to celebrate isn't until Saturday, but we had to give him his first present early.  We sent him looking for it in his closet . . .

And, as it turns out, his present WAS the closet!

A little "room of one's own", carved out of formerly dark and unreachable closet space.  I think Virginia Woolf would approve.  And despite the fake "cheese" smile he's sporting in this picture, I think Walt was quite delighted with his gift.  We read bedtime stories in there and then when I told him it was time to get in bed, he threw a fit because he thought he was going to get to sleep in the closet.  Charming, really.

And, yes, the poor child will get some real presents with wrapping paper and bows and everything, but as for creativity in gift-giving, Josh and I may have reached our parental zenith.  Talk about peaking early.

Walt also got another early birthday present . . . a new cousin!  Meet Kellen Christopher Crouch, born on Sunday weighing in at 8 lbs. 2 oz.  Not quite as hefty as his big brother, Collier, but still a keeper.  Welcome to the family, Kellen!

Party Time

Whether you're a candidate for President or a pre-schooler, January 2008 has been all about parties.  Political, birthday and dance included.  Daddy has been completely wrapped up in the drama of the caucus and primaries.  (If you need any opinions, poll results or conventional wisdom, I'm your guy.)  Walt, on the other hand, can tell you who throws the best birthday and dance parties.  For the latter, it is definitely Mommy and Dan Zanes.  Mommy (not pictured) secures all potentially lethal furniture corners and Dan provides the rock 'n' roll.

Of course, what's a dance party without your best girl?

As for the birthday parties, well, let's just say they're not what they used to be.  It's a cottage industry these days.  This place, called The Little Gym, is a pre-schooler's dream come true.  I wasn't there, but the reports I got suggest that Walt was doing his best Energizer Bunny the entire time.

There are about a dozen photos of Walt jumping like this and the cast of party-goers jumping with him changes completely in each one.  When all of the other parents got home and looked at their pictures, I'm sure they said, "Wow, number 14 is in every one."

And, of course, Mer was there.

The all-you-care-to-eat sugar and pretzel buffet probably fueled the frenzy.

As for the political parties, I can only offer this fantastic picture by a like-minded dad who just happens to live in New Hampshire and had his five month-old photographed with all but one of the  Presidential candidates.  Here is his hilarious slide show.  Yes, that's Rudy Giuliani holding a very unhappy pumpkin child.