Q: What do Santa, a Pirate Ship and Jungle Animals have in Common?

A: A birthday party designed by a 3-year old.

Birthday parties around here usually have a certain theme like, Star Wars, or Pirates, or Sports, or Lego Ninjago.  It's whatever they happen to be into that year.  But Bradley is really only into 2 things.  Books and Magnet Blocks.  And this is how it's been his entire 3 years of life.

When he turned 1, we had a book theme...

...and when he turned 2 we had a magnet blocks theme.

Since we couldn't think of anything else he was really into, we just let him design his own party.

Charles asked him what kind of cake he wanted, he said, "White cake, with white frosting."

Then Charles asked him what he wanted on top, and Bradley responded, "Santa."

Then he said he wanted a pinata, so I took him to the store to pick one out.   He chose a pirate ship.  He also wanted it to be filled with nothing but suckers and blue tootsie rolls.  We did our best.

I asked him if he wanted party hats, he chose jungle animals.

He's got a pretty eclectic style, that one.  :)

 

The funny thing is, when I was just about done making Santa on his cake, my mom showed him and asked him who that was.  He just looked at it with a confused expression and then said he didn't know.  

That was when I remembered...

The kid has only had one maybe two Christmases that he can remember.  And last year whenever he saw a Christmas Tree or Christmas lights, he would say, "Santa!"  So I quickly added a Christmas Tree to his cake, so he could have "Santa."  He was very excited when he saw the new addition.  Who is that weird guy in the white beard, anyway?

I let Bradley choose whatever he wanted for breakfast on his special day.  He chose his favorite food... No, not hot dogs... Ketchup.  The hot dogs just have to come along.

 

When he met his Preschool teacher, she asked him what his favorite food was and he told her, "Ketchup.  It's like blooood."

That night he also got to choose dinner.  The man demanded pizza and crazy bread.

After dinner the party began.  This kid is so lucky.  Because he has a summer birthday, he always seems to have cousins here to celebrate with.  I guess that will have to make up for not getting to celebrate it at school. :)

 

Loving Ethan's style...

Thanks to Bradley's self-chosen theme, we didn't have to waste money on wrapping paper, we got to use the Christmas wrapping... and not feel guilty...

...even though he didn't quite understand why the dude in the white beard and red hat kept showing up.

I had to add this picture, because of mom's expression.  Kaylee was having a hard time transitioning to a  bottle and after a million tries, this was when she finally started to take it.  No more weight loss for this baby girl!  Go Kaylee go!

Then it was time for cake and Ice Cream.  Happy Birthday, buddy!  You are one awesome dude! :)

Bradley at 3:
~MAGNET BLOCKS
~Books
~Backyardigans
~Bubbles
~Balloons
~Wiggle cars
~Tricycle
~Little bit of stuttering
~Not much interest in TV or movies
~Loves to hang with the adults
~Becoming more defiant, but too cute to regulate!
~Concerned with his and other people's feelings.
~Favorite Food: Ketchup
~Favorite candy: Suckers
~Favorite Book: 5 Little Monkeys
~Speaks very well for his age
~Chatterbox: Just talks and talks and talks.  Sometimes I tune him out, but he always cal me on it.  "Mommy?  You hear me?  You hear me, Mommy?"
~Can't say most of his "S's" if it begins the word, it's so cute. (Star= Dar, school=gool, scooter=gooter scriptures=gippers)
~First kid to not be shy at school.