Wild and Wonderful Ezra Turns 3!

So, I'm at it again, baking up a complicated cake for my child's birthday. The cakes generally do not turn out like the examples and they always stress me out a bit, but I can't help myself. I guess I imagine that one day my kids will look back at their birthday pictures, see those fun cakes, and remember that we really celebrated their birth.

My Ezra turns 3 today and I can vividly remember being 9 months huge 3 years ago, eagerly anticipating the arrival of my second baby before Christmas. I wanted him to come for my sake and for his - who wants their birthday any closer to Christmas than it has to be? I actually promised myself that I'd never have a December baby, but nature has it's own ideas. Right now, Ezra doesn't mind. It's another reason to celebrate and he can't wait for his party tomorrow!
Remember this guy (in no particular order?)

Our friend, Dawn, cut Ezra's hair yesterday and it's transformed him a bit. It seems fitting that he looks like such a big boy for his 3rd birthday too. The nature of the haircut is such a great example of how Ezra can be such a determined, stubborn, and silly guy all at once. Dawn offered to cut his hair because he's made such a stink about a haircut the past 3 times, so much so that Tim had to leave the salon with Ezra's hair untrimmed. He wasn't keen on the home hair cut either, but she was a trooper and stuck with him, despite the wiggles, giggles, and shoulder shrugging.

 Doesn't he look handsome? 

My favorite part came a couple hours later when he told me the following with a very serious expression:
"Getting your hair cut is fun! Dawn cuts off your hair. She doesn't cut off your head."

That's my Ezra, a boy I feel so lucky to spend every day with. He is an adventurous companion - you never know quite what to expect from him every day. Ezra loves his big sister and adores his baby brother. He was in the kitchen with me this morning, helping his baby brother and repeating under his breath, "I love him."

Ezra is a curious boy, interested in how things work, in love with all things vehicular, and a whiz at puzzles. He'll take a snack - any snack - over dinner and is not enticed to eat by promises of dessert. He is finally  interested in books, especially ones about trucks, cars, and trains, and will sit and listen while his sister reads. Ezra's growing so big, counting, learning his letters, figuring out those colors.

Today, I am so happy to be his mom, hanging out, making cake together, and doing whatever he likes.

Happy Birthday, Ezra! I love you!