Three, again

On Oliver's birthday-eve he awoke from a deep sleep and announced that he was not interested in turning four and that he was going to stay three - forever.  He also announced that he would still like to have candles and cake, but would like us to sing "happy third birthday, a second time rather than happy fourth birthday."  He then when right back to sleep.  Isn't this a request that begins when one turns 40 or 50 or something?

Since one can not argue with logic (?!) yesterday we celebrated Oliver's third birthday a second time rather than celebrate his fourth birthday.  Also per his request, rather than have a birthday party we had his good friends Maggie, Tommy, Sam and Henry over for dinner - "no crazy birthday stuff" (again, isn't this a request for someone turning something with double digits?).

As usual Oliver placed a tall order for his birthday cake.  This year he requested cupcakes which had both a "colossal squid and a king cobra with his hood up" on them.  Oliver desperately wanted both the squid and the cobra on each cupcake, but I was able to dissuade him - with the promise that he could eat two cupcakes - one squid and one cobra.

Henni had no complaints with the cupcakes.

 

 

Prior to Oliver's "real" birthday we celebrated his "pretend" birthday in Maine.  He chose lobster for his dinner.  Until recently we had thought Henni was allergic to lobster and had kept it far away from her.  Since we now know it is safe for her to eat we gave her one.  She was utterly perplexed as to how to eat it - a spoon and fork proved unsuccessful.

 

Oliver's love for snakes was pervasive - at his pretend celebration he had ice cream cookies sandwiches which were guarded by a snake.

 

In the months leading up to Oliver's birthday he generated quite a list:

Green sneakers

New light up Pumas

Toy mouse

Turtle eating salad (a model turtle with seaweed in his mouth)

Scuba diver

Daddy and baby penguin

Bubble mower (Oliver' s comment on this: Elizabeth, you gave me a mower before.  I would like a new mower, but this time could you get me one that is more durable; the last one you gave me broke.  I think you can find one that is more durable.)

Big turtle

Beluga whale

Spiny lobster

Candy Land

Chutes and Ladders

A net to catch bugs

Toy lizard

Dogwood tree (They are just so beautiful.)

Roller skates

Another big turtle

A few of Oliver's requests

 While Oliver loved each and ever present he got, his favorite present, much to his surprise ("Mommy, I think this is my favorite and it wasn't even on my list!") was a model Blue Angels plane which our neighbors gave to him.  In fact, Oliver was so impressed by both the model and the actual Blue Angels (thanks to YouTube) he has decided he is going to join the Blue Angels when he grows up (but that he will always remain 3) and that all of the birthday money he received will go towards buying a real Blue Angels plane.

Oliver never ceases to amaze me - I am no longer surprised by what he does or says - just amazed.  His little brain is so jammed packed with information I have no doubt he knows more than me - and that he can accomplish anything -- and that he can somehow convince people on his 100th birthday to call it his third.

At Oliver's doctor's appointment he was 40 pounds and also 40 inches.