Alec Says...

Number 3!!!

We celebrated Alec's big number 3 this weekend! Matt and I are both in awe of the fact that our baby is 3, and also can't believe how truly grown-up and mature Alec really has become. He is a sweet, inquisitive, chatty, rambunctious, and funny and we couldn't love him any more. Number 3 was a little more relaxed than his last 2 birthdays, which we celebrated with big parties, but it was fun and special nonetheless. Grammy flew out on Sat morning to help Alec celebrate, and we started the weekend by baking and decorating his cake. Alec chose the cake, which was white with sprinkles in it, the frosting - which was pink, and of course the decorations - which were more sprinkles and 3 fish candles. A pretty funny cake for a boy turning 3, but Alec loves anything with pink frosting and sprinkles, so it was very fitting. He woke up early on Sun morning (he was totally excited for the bday celebration) and started the morning out going to Dunkin doughnuts with Dad, one of his favorite weekend activities. After a nice sugar filled breakfast we opened presents and then spent the next few hours assembling and playing with all of his new toys. We then headed over to 2Toots, a train restaurant that delivers food via a train for lunch. We met Mark, Christie and Alec's buddy Hayden for lunch, and the boys had a blast - and yes, lunch did end with a sprinkle cupcake. After a nap, Alec opted for mowing the lawn with Dad instead of going to the park, and then after more time playing with all his new stuff we made his b-day dinner. His request - flank steak and macaroni and cheese, and of course, we ended the day with his pink frosted b-day cake, which he thoroughly enjoyed. It was a very special day for us and we couldn't be happier or prouder parents of Alec. Thanks so much to all who sent b-day wishes and love and to everyone who has been a part of his life so far.

His cake

baking

licking scraps off the plate

frosting preview

Sprinkles, which Grammy brought with her from CO

The finished product

Breakfast of champions

Opening presents - Alec has mastered this and did all of his gifts by himself

Testing out the new toys

2 Toots

More b-day sweets

Learning how to blow out the candles

Pushing Daddy's mower, a new favorite thing to do

B-Day cake

The cake was a hit!

More Cubs

We got to go to another Cubs game on Monday night! A friend of Abby and I's from high school, Karen, works down in the city and she gave us her corporate seats b/c she was out of town. They were awesome seats, and we were lucky enough to have another open seat next to us for Alec. Wrigley field is so fun and we all loved the game. Plus - the Cubs (who aren't very good themselves) played the Pirates (who are exponentially worse than the Cubs) and it was an awesome game to watch b/c the Cubs killed them and scored 14 runs! Pretty entertaining baseball game. Thanks Karen!

Terrible pic of Alec, but a family shot none the less.

Showing off his Cubs gear on the bus to the stadium

Lake Life

We got back on Sunday night from a long week with the Wolfe family - we spent about half the time at the lake house and half the time up in Cleveland. As always, we had an awesome time - ate too much, stayed up way too late, and laughed a lot. Alec really enjoyed the company of all the other kiddos; Julie's nieces and nephews were at the lake off and on, so there were up to 9 kids at some points. He was also thrilled with all the water activities and has done nothing since we've been home except talk about boats, inner tubes and jet skies. One of the definite bonuses of our new Chicago home is its close proximity to the Wolfes - it was a fabulous trip and super nice to be able to drive it instead of having to get on a plane.

Jet ski driving

Alec and Logan on the beach

Taking Zoe's jeep for a spin back in Cleveland

Logan, Alec and Zoe

Cookie batter

Pitting cherries in the sink - I think this is so cute

Back at the lake

Driving the go-cart

Treats from the ice-cream man

You can tell Alec has had fun when you find him passed out next to the door in his bedroom in this position.

races

Taking the boat to Clam Diggers for some mashed potato pizza

Alec and Malia

More ice cream

Alec and Logan were all about playing with Zoe's babies - this is how we found them one afternoon.

The infamous inner tube - maybe the highlight of the trip for Alec!