3

Well, folks, Miles is 3. Get ready for the blow by blow.

We got back from Coeur d'Alene late Wednesday night just in time for Miles' birthday on Thursday. He slept in that morning and we had to wake him up at 7:50. He was pooped. Usually, Miles wakes right up and is chip cheery and ready to play, but he was a little sluggish waking up on his birthday. We had to tell him about his red presents to get any life out of him.

Then he wanted to take of his pajamas and lay in the bed we sleep in and roll around and be cute.

After we dropped Dave off at work, I took him to Safeway so he could pick out a donut for his breakfast. You can guess what kind he chose:

He had loads of fun looking at his messy face in the mirror.

Next stop: the Library.

Party hearty at the library. He really loves it there. The only way I got him out of there was by telling him he could open his presents.

Meal #2 in the car: Lunch.

And the opening of the red presents.

For weeks, when I would ask Miles what he wanted for his birthday, he'd say "a red present." Then I'd say, "what do you want to be inside?" and he'd always say "a ball. A red present with a ball in'n it."

He did get a ball in'n it and some bubbles. Before you go thinking that we are ultra cheap, first understand: a) we are ultra cheap and 2) we couldn't get him a lot of stuff for his birthday because we have to fit everything in our car on the way back to MN at the end of this Salem escapade.

The orange cone came with the ball and Miles was laughing so hard in the car putting it on his head and tossing it around.

His birthday was basically the same stuff we always do every day, but we tried to make him feel special and got him red presents and he loved it. Kids are the best.

Dave took off work early and we took Miles to get his favorite food: "rice and beans" from Chipotle. Then we went to the park to play with Miles' new ball and have cake.

It was a little breezy, so it was quite challenging to get the candle to light. It did light and he did blow it out. Hooray.

Again, we took him to Safeway and let him pick out a piece of cake since my car is not equipped with a baking station. It's all the same to Miles, though. Like I said, kids are the best.

Happy Birthday, Miles. You are the most fantastic, sweet, fun, easy going little boy of all time and we feel so lucky to have you.