Gavin's 3rd Birthday

Gavin turned 3 on the 8th. We hosted playgroup on Friday before his birthday and celebrated with friends and cupcakes. His friend, Avery, stayed for lunch and "the party", which was the two of them wearing hats and Gavin opening all his great gifts - monster trucks, race car, stamps, Toys Story dive sticks.

Gavin with his lone party guest, Avery.

On Saturday our family went to the Mall of America to ride rides at Nickelodeon Universe and eat at the Rainforest Cafe, our birthday tradition we started last year. Gavin was scared by the gorillas at the cafe and it didn't help that we sat right underneath them. Gavin got wore down and the mall got busy, so we left at about 2. We went to Fred's brother Corey's house to visit with them and Gene, Mary Ann, Lisa, Steve, Lori and Jesse. The boys got a nap in the car on the way. They got to play with cousins before heading out to Osaka (Japanese Steak House) with the whole crew. Jacob really enjoyed watching the cooking, Gavin enjoyed eating the noodles, and they came out with the goofy Asian looking mask and Gavin let them put it on his head while they played a disco style "Happy Birthday" thru the whole restaurant.

Gavin and Jacob outside Rainforest Cafe.

Gavin on zebra, Jacob behind on Merry Go Round.

Blue's Clues.

Gavin, second from right, on the Wonderpet's Flyboat.

Gavin wearing the birthday mask at Osaka.

Peek!

So, it was a good thing Gavin got lots of partying in on Saturday, because after a night of croup and sleeping in a steamy bathroom with Fred, he would have no party on Sunday. Instead we went to the clinic and he got a steriod shot for his croup, but I think he may have picked up something else while there because the next couple days he had a different cough and a new fever. We did still get his cool "Cars" cake and Grandma and Grandpa Middendorf stopped over to have lunch and cake with the birthday boy. Grandma and Grandpa Jeske came down on Tuesday to see the birthday boy and have cake with him too. We just finished up the cake yesterday and so Gavin's birthday was declared "over".

Gavin blowing/spitting out the candles.