3 Years Old...

At Elliot's 3-year check up:
- 27.5# (gaining well since last time!!)
- 36" tall
- When the doc asked if he knew the shape of the end of his stethoscope, Elliot said, "circle," then after Dad said, "And what is it?" he impressed him with the correct answer, all shy-like.

It was party-time.  Saturday, after Elliot's nap, we let him open all his presents because we were going to be gone all day on Sunday, the actual birthday.  He has been so obsessed with other kids' backpacks, that that was a must.  The water balloons and water guns from Grandpa and Grandma Papczun were a big hit too.

The backpack has barely left his back...

Loving those new swim goggles!

That night, Tye and Elliot, the two July 15th boys, have their own water gun fight.  They just kinda stood there and barely shot at one another...

Of course, Elliot ended up stripping down.

Then, Sunday, we spent the day at a water park about 45 minutes outside of Chicago.  We joined the Pauley's- our neighbors whose little one has the exact same birthday (Tye).  We brought one guest, they brought over 30!!  (They have done this before and have two older daughters who invited families.)  They grabbed an awesome shelter area, organized/brought the cake (including Elliot's name!) and it was so much fun.  It was Deep River, and it had something for every age.  Who knew a 3 year old would be thoroughly and contently entertained for an entire day at a place like this!  He really was beaming joy almost the whole day, no nap and all!!  He loved the lazy river and got more brave with the other fountains as the day went on.  Too bad our camera isn't waterproof, but I risked it at the end to get some shots.  He did a really major water slide with Dad (one that I thought was pretty darn fast and way too dark!) and loved it.  Came out saying, "Mommy, I didn't cry!" while all along I was thinking as I was going down, "Oh my, poor Elliot, he had to have been so scared!"

The two birthday boys!  The lifevest was awesome- the pools with the fountains were about waist high on him but this helped a lot when he'd lose his footing or the couple of times that *ehem* Dad was on the innertube with him on the lazy river and he went under!

+

Elliot put his finger in the icing the minute the lid came off.  And blew out his candles early.

He did not wait for a fork- by the time I got his attention, half the piece was eaten, icing all over.

(I see cousin Grant in his face here...)

The kids could turn the floor fountains (and other random water spouts) on and off by those wheels like the red one here.

Renee seemed to have a blast too!  Ended up giving Elliot some rides on her back.

Then Tye's dad had to do the same.

The hangover the next day... this was at the 4-hour mark of his nap when I checked on him.

We didn't extend the invite to many people for the water park as it has an admission cost, is a bit of a drive, etc.  So, Monday, we did an impromptu "come for a water fight and cupcakes!" in the yard with the neighbor kids.  We all got thoroughly drenched (especially ME!), the water guns were well-used, the sprinkler from Grandma ended up being hung from the fence for better drenching-abilities, and the cupcakes and brownies went fast!  Everyone went home with a helium balloon and seemed to have a blast.

Elliot got this toy sax from Renee- the other kids are shooting water guns, etc, and he just stood there in the center of the pool, trying to belt out a tune.

I thought we were refraining from the giant-super-organized party, but it seems we just made a bunch of little celebrations!  All were great and we commented often on how easy it was to enjoy ourselves this way.  Now does this mean 4 days of celebration next year?!

Glasses that you can drink with!  

Only sad part-  Elliot kept saying, "I hope Diane will come..." even after I explained explicitly, multiple times, that they are in France for good and can't fly back for this.  Awwww.