Cupcakes

Henry was a gracious cupcake eater this year.  I didn't have the energy to make them from scratch, and I also used store bought icing.  I have to say, though, they were pretty good.  We took enough cupcakes to share with his friends at the yW on the day after his birthday.  His teachers were relieved, because I think that they were truly saddened that we were going to be out of town on his actual birthday.

The final cupcake marked the final third birthday celebration.  

Fishing you a happy 3rd Birthday!

Henry attended the Georgia Aquarium when he was about eighteen months old, but I doubt he remembers it.  This time, though, we went on his third birthday, and I am hoping he carried away some long term memories.

1) He was very attracted to this random animated plush statue that I assume was placed for posing purposes.  Every time we exited an exhibit, we had to go back to it.  But, hey, it was his birthday!

2) While H didn't want to actually touch the manta rays, sea urchins, starfish, or sea anemones, he did have Daddy as a surrogate toucher

3) There is a play area where Henry spent a great deal of time climbing and sliding, which are among his top ten favorite activities.

4) Walls and walls of fish!

Lion fish... beautiful!

Giant grouper... yuuuuuuuummmmm.

Furman starfish.  Clearly, it's the stand out starfish.

5) Hanging out with the penguins 

6) The slowly moving conveyor belt was, by far, the favorite exhibit.

The above sharks were OK.

Happy Birthday to our favorite three year old.  We love you, Henry.  Seeing the world through your eyes makes everything sparkle.

Hotel Party

On the morning of January 31, 2011, we celebrated Henry's third birthday at the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta.  We didn't smash any TVs or throw anything from our balcony, but it was still a good time.

Big city lamps are hard to figure.

H opened his gifts with gusto after feasting on his favorite breakfast dish--bagel.

And he had some time to enjoy his new Leapster before we checked out.

Checking out took about half an hour--not because the staff was inept but because they had glass elevators in the lobby.  They were good for at least 17 rides. The big city has so much to offer!

Party like it's 1999 Billion B.C.

We began a two-day celebration of Henry by taking a trip back in time to the Mesozoic era located at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History in Atlanta.  There, we were met with the charming Farry clan, and although the dinosaurs were cool, the cousins were the coolest.

To say that the giant dinosaur fossil replicas are the center of the this architecturally pleasing building is an understatement.  At no point did I get a wide enough image to capture the Giganotosaurus and the Argentinosaurus in their predator v. prey battle.  

Which way do we start?

From all points of view, there was something spectacular to see...

The birthday dinner was held on the Fernbank Forest overlook where cupcakes were enjoyed by attendees.

Well, actually, icing was enjoyed.

Here is Anna enjoying her icing.  At Henry's first birthday, she was provided a large slice of birthday cake with a generous dose of icing.  She politely instructed Grandjane that "You can take the cake part off of there."

Evan knows what's up... the cake part is good, ya'll!

The combination of a low-attendance Sunday with the flying prehistoric bird toys from the cafe's kid's meals made for some illicit running in the museum.  

Quietly exploring...

Evan got to see his giant clam and measured its giantness with great accuracy.

The museum also includes a "Sensing Nature" exhibition with all sorts of sensory and perception demonstrations.  (You know, Grandjane, the kind that give you migraines.)  

The giant bubbles were a hit.

The kids sat in on a live creature exhibit, and at first, H seemed impatient with the lecture, even turning around to face my direction and ask, "What am I doing here?"  

After the lizards, snakes, and other creatures were discussed and touched, though, they seemed to growl a lot.

They got to Daddy, too!

Leaving the museum was just too hard, so we headed to a local park before rounding out a pleasant day with dinner in midtown.

Thanks, cousins, for the fun day.  It was one for the history books.

Where, what, who, when, why?

You may be wondering, "what has Henry's family been up to these past couple of months, and why are we not being informed of every breath, fleeting thought, and slanted brag?  I mean, did Henry ever turn three?"  Just wait... I recommitted myself to blogging yesterday and will catch up to the here and now.

Update

Henry is closer to turning three and I'm still wiped out. 

We did have a follow up visit with Dr. Song this afternoon, and my report of Henry's fever breaking yesterday and today's fever free day along with her close examination of his puffy eyes (congestion) and his skin (I was worried about the palms of his hands looking so red.  Strange, I know.) led to the conclusion that we are clear for our birthday weekend of fun.  Atlanta, here we come... in a car that has $1,275 estimated dollars of engine work done today.  Woo Hoo!

Whew!

If I were true to the fashion of the last two years, I would have already kicked off my week of celebrating Henry by listing his best phrases, favorite books, songs, etc... After yesterday's flurry of activity, though, I was and am spent. 

Henry was sick with a fever of about 102.5 when Cory took him over to Grandjoe's capable care so that I could get to work and Cory could get some work done.  When I checked in on Henry at lunchtime, though, he was waking from a short nap with eary chills and pitiful whimpers.  I took his temp and felt a cold shock wash over when the digital read out was clearly 106.1.  I did two more swipes to be sure, and the lowest reading was 105.8.  After doses of ibuprofen and acetaminophen and a tepid bath, the temp still wouldn't stay down.  Our pediatrician advised us to get to the ER, so Grandjoe drove while I sat beside my very quiet and still little boy.  Thankfully, the temperature read much lower after about half an hour, and Cory and I opted to go to the pediatrician's office for our previously scheduled appointment after waiting in the ER exam room for about 45 minutes.  Dr. Song tested him for the flu (negative) and step throat (negative), and when she came into the exam room to tell us the results, Henry was jumping off the exam table and interrupting our conversation.  We're keeping a close eye on him now, and his fever is remaining in a much less dangerous level.

We're still exhausted.  Henry didn't sleep well last night but took a four hour nap this afternoon.

So here's how I am belatedly kicking off a week of Henry:

I am so very grateful that he's OK and that we will celebrate his 3rd birthday very soon.  I love him!