Life with Leo: Leo is Officially 3!

Leo enjoying a laugh at his birthday dinner :)

This week marked Leo's 3rd birthday, and the 2nd birthday we've celebrated with him in person since we became a family. The time has indeed gone fast, and yet I've enjoyed every phase of Leo's development. I couldn't be more overjoyed about my son (and can't stop boasting about him, even when it's not polite ;P). I really appreciate his sensitivity and empathy, humor, enthusiasm, creativity, persistance, honesty, and loving nature. I never imagined looking at my newly minted 3-year-old and thinking, "You are the best person I know," but it's absolutely true.

Rob and I each took the day off of work and decided to take a day trip to the Monterey Aquarium to celebrate Leo's big day. Unfortunately, Leo hasn't been napping much lately and was very tired (ah hem, grumpy) so the aquarium was a mixed experience. He loved the hands-on play designed for children, especially when it involved water and bouncing. On the other hand, he wasn't interested in watching the penguin-feeding or looking in fish tanks for very long and explained that "I don't like the fish moving." He DID seem to enjoy the always amazing jellyfish. We planned a lunch out by the water, but Mr. tired fell asleep immediately in the car, so we switched to Plan B.

We weren't sure if after Christmas, Leo would be "gifted" out, but he fully enjoyed opening up his gifts, and is especially excited about his roaring dinosaur and new kitchen. We topped off the evening with birthday dinner at our favorite Mexican place and an ice cream sundae for Leo. Not bad for 3, huh?

The aquarium was full of weird and wonderful sea life, like this cuttlefish. While we were looking at it, Rob said to me,
"Oh yeah, we've seen this on Iron Chef!"

But Leo preferred bouncing (and laying down) on the pretend sea floor...

...and navigating fish through water systems.

The coolest part of the Aquarium? Mission control!

At home, Leo enjoyed opening presents. Here is one from Aunt Erin & Uncle Rich. Notice the shirt he happens to be wearing, you know, the one he especially picked out for his birthday. Think he likes this gift? :) Choo choo!

The present he was most excited about...

...was his talking, moving dinosaur. A real "big boy" toy. Today he put his dinosaur down for a nap, covered him with a blanket, and kissed him good night.

Here's Leo trying to saw open his kitchen box. A noble, but unsuccessful, effort.

Leo enjoyed making fist pumps over dinner and shouting "boom!" He said, "Take a picture for Leo!"

Leo really likes to eat together and drink together, especially with Mommy. At dinner, he liked drinking at the same time as Mommy and then putting our cups right next to each other.