Zane's Third Birthday

Last night before bed we turned our house into a Spiderman wonderland for today's celebrations. We blew up lots of balloons, which I let Zane instruct me on where to hang. Put up streamers, a happy birthday banner, and got out the noise makers. After Zane went to sleep Zach and I decorated his door with streamers and balloons. I had wanted to put balloons on his door so he would have a balloon avalanche when he woke up, but I knew that I would be going into his room multiple times during the night, and I was correct in my prediction. So instead daddy put tons of balloons in his room when he got up with Rowan in the night so there was a big birthday, balloon surprise awaiting Zane when he woke up. He was so excited to show us, but claims he knew daddy did it while he was sleeping.

This morning we let Zane open a couple presents before daddy left for work, mainly so he would have things to entertain himself with this afternoon, turns out after an epic nap time battle there wasn't much time between when he wake up and when daddy got home to play. Luckily one of the presents I randomly chose to let him open this morning was the one from Grandma that had a Super Hero Cape in it. He immediately put it on and wore it all day, during all our zoo adventures. Imagine how much more fun the zoo is when you can run around with a cape flying behind you!

If this picture doesn't scream I'm three, I'm not sure what does.

Off to the Zoo!!!!

We had high hopes of seeing the baby elephant today at the zoo, but after walking through all of River's Edge, seeing zero animals (the hippos were even out for cleaning) the baby elephant wasn't out, huge disappointment, but we moved on to better things, specifically Wilbur, in the Children's Zoo. Zane remembers exactly where to find him and can't be bothered with petting the goats on his way there. He needs to get to Wilbur ASAP. Wilbur was doing well, with all his naked mole rat friends, who we introduced to Jamey. Turns out they aren't very exciting if you haven't read the book. It was pretty hot and sweaty, even though we were there early, so we spent lots of time in the inside play area of the Children's Zoo to cool off. 

Me and my birthday boy!

 Jamey and Michelle in front of the only two elephants out today.

 Love a super hero that can keep house as well.

 Allie came after working all night, to share in the birthday fun, and cuddle this little guy. Thanks so much for fighting sleep exhaustion to hang out with us and help me haul my kids around

Next stop the penguins of course. Allie graciously stayed outside with both double strollers and babies so we could do the penguin house sans stroller, which is much more fun. The puffins were out getting their cages cleaned today as well. Must have missed the "we are going to be cleaning everything this morning," memo. But still had worlds of  fun "flying" through the penguin exhibit. Many thanks to Michelle for braving the zoo with two kids to help celebrate Zane's birthday. This was Ruthie's first big outing and very first time at the zoo. She handled it like a beautiful little pro.

Here is baby Ruth taking in the zoo.

Loving the penguins.

We rode the carousel, went through the monkey house, checked in on the big snakes, ate lunch, picked out a bday gift at the gift shop then headed home. Nap time was an hour long argument with multiple unnecessary potty breaks and lots of discussions about whether he would actually be able to open his zoo present if he didn't nap. Rowan was also fighting sleep during this same time so it quite the battle for awhile. Zane finally gave in, Rowan did not.

The afternoon was spent playing with new toys, playing downstairs, outside, and decorating our cupcakes for the evenings pizza party. When daddy got home we had pizza, cupcakes, and then more presents, with the piece de resistance, a Spiderman costume. I hadn't told Zane that I was getting him this, but all day he asked me where it was. Not sure if he had seen it before it was wrapped or if he just assumed he would be getting one. After dinner more outside playtime where Zane played with his new t-ball set and Spiderman ball and glove. Then finished off the day by dressing up as batman and running around the yard. I'm going to be honest the mask creeps me out. I bought this costume online and wasn't sure if there was even a mask in this set, but there is and it's creepy, but Zane loves it, of course.  Zane went to bed, exhausted, in his new Spiderman jammies. 

Spiderman cupcakes for today, Spiderman cake coming on Sunday.

In a strange turn of events he didn't finish his cupcake. I think he was too excited about presents.

Zane loved his t-ball set and was quite good at it. His favorite part might have been throwing his bat down in celebration after hitting the ball. He was batting left handed most of the evening which led to fights over who was standing on the correct side of the plate. Is there a t-ball league where there are no practices and just three or four games played purely for fun, because I would sign up for that.

I cannot begin to explain how adorable and heart warming it was watching these two play catch. Priceless!

Zane as Spiderman, climbing walls, jumping off things, and rescuing all sorts of people who were in trouble.

There were multiple times today when he said it was the best birthday ever so I think all and all it was a huge success! I loved watching him run around in his cape and sing happy birthday to himself all day. I love this little Super Hero and can't wait for all the adventure three will bring us.