Happy 3rd Birthday, Carson!

Carson age 8 months (November 2007)

I've been such a slacker this year. . . I think Carson's 2nd birthday was three posts ago! Just kidding. It was four.

This year, when I asked him what kind of birthday cake he wanted, he said, "twucks, twailoos, an' mooses." The room slowly faded out and I had this amazing vision of a beautiful cake I would make which would artfully tie together these three necessities. And then I thought to myself, "Self, when will you accomplish this?" The answer was blunt and dismal, yet surprisingly relieving: "As soon as you call Albertson's and order it!" Well, the one in their picture looked better than the one we got, but in the end, it had a truck, a trailer, AND a moose (that we found in the playroom, washed off, and slapped on top of the cake).

VOILA!

This is his new John Deere Gator. . .

. . . that he refused to drive himself. Thanks, Dillon, for the ride!

So anyway, let's NOT take the "just call Albertson's" approach to reviewing a Year of Carson and celebrate his accomplishments over the past 12 months:

Carson has spent the last TWELVE months pursuing his car obsession. He has perfected the art of seeking out the BEST surface available in any environment on which to slowly move his cars back and forth. When visiting our local furniture retailer recently (for a new mattress set--GREAT news, but not for this post. . . )for example, Carson suggested we purchase a certain couch. Why? Because it had bumps. Now this may not make sense to the casual observer, but to we his parents, this was no mystery. Bumps make carplay all the rage!

Here he is with the car Papa Foof sent him for his birthday.
He played with it literally for HOURS!

Here, he and his friend Dillon found a ladder turned on its side and guess what?
It made the PERFECT road!

Carson has spent the better part of his 3rd year (or is it his 2nd--I get confused by this--has he just completed his second year or his third year? But he just turned 3? See my confusion????) anyway, I'm getting off-topic here. He has spent the better part of this last year learning the craft of stealth. Stealth? Stealth. This is how it's done: First, you sweetly tell your parents goodnight. You say your prayers, full of stuff about Jesus and being a good boy. THEN, when Mom and Dad have left the room, you pause. You listen. You wait. When all is silent, you gently push back your covers, and test the silence with one foot and then the other. Finally, you fully emerge from your sad, lonely little twin-sized bed and head for the greener, warmer, and cozier pastures of your big sister's full-sized bed. Doesn't matter that she doesn't want you there, that your very presence rumples the smoothness of a bed fit for a princess. You cast the stuffed animals and perfectly-placed pillows aside with one sturdy sweep, and slowly climb under the covers. Unfortunately for Carson, his giggles and Annie's shrieks usually give him away, but more often than not, I go in and move him back to his bed before I collapse into mine. They look so cozy, but they wake up more slowly in the morning if they're in separate beds. I look at it as a "pay now, play later" situation.

How cute is that?

Carson also became a big brother this last year. Now, that is a pretty big deal. He's all over that until Rhett approaches the DMZ surrounding his (Carson's) cars. Whenever I hear the door of the playroom shut following this sound: "WETT! Stay away from my CARS!", I know what has happened. Carson has dragged Rhett by his heels out of the playroom and has shut the door. I know what we'll be learning during year #4: sharing! Most of the time, however, he is really quite cute with his little brother. It's really been fun to watch.

Twinner jammies!

The best part about the past year is how much more Carson has been able to do with us. Here are some random pictures:

He and Annie slept outside in the back yard
with Dad (and Jack) a number of times.

Frolicking with Jack (and Uncle Tim and Annie) in the Great Salt Lake.

Jack and Carson have become quite close.

He was excited to help his dad
any time a tractor or skidster was involved.

He has gotten quite brave on the horse.

And he was most helpful with the raking of the leaves.

Here he is hanging out with Maisey in the dog house.
Boy's best friend! (well for a few minutes, anyway)

And although it would appear that he and the potty
weren't the best of pals,
this last year also saw him potty-trained.
In less than a week.
That's my boy!

In all seriousness, however, he is growing up to be quite the cutie pie. He is VERY funny, VERY handsome, VERY flirtatious, and VERY sweet. He absolutely loves his family, his grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, friends, and neighbors. We are so lucky to have such a happy and funny son.

Happy Birthday, little man!
We LOVE you!