Everett's 3rd Birthday...

December 24, 2012
12-24-12

For Everett's birthday this year -- we struggled and toiled over what we could do as a family to celebrate Everett's Christmas Eve birthday - make it a special day for him without being overshadowed by the fact that Christmas was the next day!  We did a great job...but have worries for the future on his birthday -- that as he gets older it will become more difficult to make his day as special as it needs to be...if anyone has any great ideas...please share them in the notes!!

We started out the day by letting Ev...sleep in while slowly waking up to the smell of steel cut oats with cinnamon cooking in the kitchen.  We finished up his birthday sign, wrapped his presents with Lightning McQueen birthday wrap and set an easy going tone for the day...after a hearty breakfast Everett opened his first present...A very special Lightning McQueen shirt to wear for the day!

Then we all got ready and headed down to a surprise destination as a family...

"Okay, open your eyes, buddy!" 
"Where are you?"
 

"Build-a-bear!!"

Everett picked out a special hotwheels lightning flash bear.  It's ears lightup and it's 'a really fast bear'...

then it was over to the stuffing machine...he pressed the pedal to stuff the bear and then brought his bear to life by giving him a heart...







you're so yummy and cute, Ev!



all stuffed and ready to go...



time for a bath...



next -- time to pick out an outfit and give him a name...the outfit: Woody (from Toy Story)  the name: "Lightning McQueen Bear"

we can tell what your favorites are!



then we walked around the mall for a bit...
 

  

 caught a peak of Santa...then packed up and drove home...ate a packed lunch in the car... 

 

on the drive home we came upon this unusual site...



a makeshift Geo Metro Limo??

 

 for a budget concious Santa?  hmmm....

after a long nap, we watched Cars 2 as a family and then it was time for dinner...Ev's favorite homemade Pecan Crusted Chicken Tenders and Green Beans...

then Happy Birthday 
 

and making a wish...
 

 

 then SURPRISE... another Ev Favorite gluten-free Cake Pops!

 

 

then presents!!  3 Lego Duplo Cars sets!!  SO FUN!

After all the fun...Ev took a shower, got all cleaned up and then open two more presents...Lightning McQueen PJ's and a new Lightning McQueen fleece tie blanket (that I had tied with Derek and Sydney's help while everyone was watching the movie downstairs!)  Ev had a smile on the whole day.  It was a great day for him...We love you Everett and are SO grateful you're here with us!  Happy Birthday, buddy!