Ryder turns three!

Much like a good Harry Connick Jr. song or a warm blanket out of the dryer, there are some things that just make me oh-so-happy.

But one that tops them all is this unconditional love of a little redheaded boy. It melts me faster than a sticky popsicle on a hot summer day.

I was privileged on Monday, and most properly the Saturday before, to celebrate that sweet boy’s existence and constant joy in our lives. Ryder turned three!

Ryder was tickled on Monday to have his Grandma stop by for a quick birthday hello. I might as well have told him the queen was coming, it is nearly as good as saying Grandma is coming – nearly. I am not offended when he tells me that we can’t buy that twine for the tomato plants because, “Grandma uses white string, not brown.” Or that “Grandma’s snacks are better.” Akin to a confident wife when your husband says, “That’s not how my mom’s casserole comes out.” I take it as a lifelong pursuit of greatness, one that I will often, humbly, fail at. I’m okay with this.

But here’s where I achieved some epic awesomeness: I completed the tall order of a “horse cake, green horse that is, for my third birthday.” Dear Rice Krispies, you are forever in this momma’s tool bag.

We, as in Chris and one poor parental soul (thanks Martha!), hosted a dozen children sans parents (my preference…”Really, yes, please, go eat breakfast alone or go yard-saling, whatever!”).

We chalked, we ate muffins, we sprang in the sprinkler, and we melted down only to rally for presents and cake.

 

We celebrated our dear, sweet, number-counting, letter-loving, book-reading, Tonka-truck-pushing, redheaded boy. I’m sure he had a great time!

Thank you to my sweet buddy, Chris, for taking most of the pictures above. 12 kids and a camera? I’m not that amazing…but he is!

Who needs a fork when the cake was just that awesome?…