KK turns 3

My sweet boy somehow managed to turn 3 without my permission. It was met with a great deal of mixed emotion. He was to start a new school district program on his actual birthday. This was finally our chance to move forward with him, and we had (and have) so many hopes for him. But before we jumped into those waters, we celebrated.

We celebrated the knowledge of what he was struggling with, we celebrated progress however small, we enjoyed him, and let him guide us that day. Unfortunately, the weather sucked, so our original plan for the zoo (and for letting him lead us around on foot at his own pace) was not an option. We decided to hit the aquarium. Interestingly, this is what we did for his birthday weekend last year, but I'm happy to say that this year he had so much more fun.

He enjoyed last year, but mostly because we allowed him to walk (no confines of a stroller or the usual zoo wagon situation). But we had many meltdowns, and we were constantly trying to plan ahead.

This year, he walked in happy and left happy. It rained (poured) the whole way down there, but Kellen loved it. From the minute we got out of the car and stood near the waterfall, he was engaged and present and happy and busy and just...KK.

I may have made him this shirt for the occasion...not that we're overly camouflage people, but there are few "boy patterns" LOL! He rocked it anyway!

This may be one of my favorite pics ever of us!

 Patrick's getting pretty good with that fancy camera...

 Happy boy running back and forth between us (and the fish).

   Larkin even got to take a picture with a Scarlet Macaw, which she was super excited about...the macaw, not so much.

 I'm not sure he actually touched a stingray, but he thoroughly enjoyed sticking his hand in the water...which in itself is an improvement!

 Yes, the fake tiger is still staring down at us...

And then Monday came...and with it not only his real 3rd birthday, but his first day in "school". He came home happy, engaged, and my sweet boy. I made special cupcakes for the occasion, and we snapped a few dinner pictures.

 "Tristan, you have some food on your nose..."

 "Daddy, are you sure you're using the right camera setting?"

 "Oh my God, a cupcake...and it's on FIRE!"

 "Man, that cupcake was good...any chance we can do this every Monday?"

And so he turned 3...and I have two 3 year old...for a couple more weeks at least ; )
And I find myself looking very much forward to his post on turning 4 next year...so much hope...so much work to do...but the hope drives us...we will get there, and it will all be worth it...because he, because we...are worth it.
Happy Birthday KK.