Sammy's 3rd Birthday

Sammy's birthday is actually March 31st, but because we were there, we celebrated a few days early- on Saturday, the 23rd.  On Friday, Ken and I stole little Sammy away for awhile and took him to Walmart for him to choose his own birthday gift.  He was SO excited!  He chattered literally the whole way there, though we could only understand about half of what he said.

We had a few groceries to get, then took him to the books.  I showed him a couple.  He would say, "No, put it back." or "Yes, put it in" and point to the cart.  He was so decisive.  He chose this dinosaur book.

He loved this set of car little cars in a big truck.  He said, "Put it in."  Then, "All done!"  Is this manly man target shopping or what?  Hunt, bag, go home.

I think we completely tuckered him out.  Kristen texted a few more things they needed while we were checking out.  I held him while Ken went to get the rest of the things.   Shopping is hard!

A family tradition at the Mackrorys is to make a nice decorated birthday cake on birthdays.  Kristen got out her book of pictures of cakes she and Jared have created through the years.  There have been some amazing creations.  Brielle volunteered to make Sammy's this year.  He wanted a dinosaur cake, or as he calls them a Lion cake.  We all agreed this cake may be the best one yet!

Audrey was in charge of making the signs to put up around the house.

Kneading the fondant.

Brielle made a cake that didn't work out, so the other kids and I made cake balls out of it.

Because the cake failed, Brielle decided to form the dinosaur out of rice Krispy treats.  He's starting to take shape.

Starting to put on the blue fondant.

Little Sammy is one of the most expressive children I have ever known.  We took over a hundred pictures of this event.  It is hard to eliminate any of them as each captures a different expression.  But you will be happy to know I did eliminate some!

Isn't Brielle beautiful?  This is her first day wearing her contact lenses.

Jared is amazing at this kind of thing and he helped Brielle through the decorating process.  It was fun to see them working together.

He opened his truck.  Later he was playing with it.  Someone said, "Sammy, you really like that truck, don't you?"  "It's special me." was his reply.

In the Mackrory family, the tradition is to light the candles and blow them out over and over and over and over again.  Why do it just once?  Hence, a million pictures of the event (and a saliva pool near the candles.)

We sang to him several times.  At one point, he pointed at Grandpa and said, "Too loud!"

And, last, but not least, a video of the ceremony.

Happy birthday, dear Sam Sam!  We love you so much!!!!!