A jenerek family

Ryan's 3rd Birthday

(Yes, there are TONS of pictures here)

I was NOT up for a birthday party this year. All the kids around here seem to have parties at the pool, or in the park with a huge bouncy castle, or at Chuck E Cheese's or something like that. I didn't want the stress of making sure that everyone is happy and everything goes just right. I don't think that I am much of an entertainer at heart (and neither is Derek) so I opted out of a formal party. Instead, I took advantage of our Friday park days and told Ryan that all the kids were coming to his "party" at the bike park.

Unfortunately, I procrastinated (big surprise) and didn't even have a cake mix by Thursday night when we were going to "Wicked." We didn't get home until 12:30am and park day was at 10:00 the next morning. SO, I learned my lesson and headed to Albertsons to buy a birthday cake for the "party." #1 I do NOT like store bought cake. The frosting is NASTY to me and the cake is always dry and gross. #2 I was not interested in paying $15 for a cake that is gross to me. Oh well, I was feeling like I had no other option at that point. Ryan picked out a terrible looking balloon cake (only other choices last minute were "The Incredible Hulk," roses, or graduation hats.) I went home to get my camera to take a picture of it at least but totally forgot until afterwards, of course.

There were probably 18 kids there (boys and girls, a variety of ages) though from this picture it looks like Ryan just plays with girls. Another mom was assigned to bring park day snacks and she brought the most FABULOUS spread. It really made it seem like a party! :) The bike park is so fabulous, it is fenced in and has a road that winds around and under tunnels and over bridges.

Saturday was breakfast in bed like usual and it was like Christmas for the boy. (This is what he chose for breakfast but Katie ate most of it because he wasn't super interested in it.) Jana, do you recognize your birthday cake?

Here he is playing with his construction trucks for the sandbox. We don't have many pictures of opening presents because Derek was mostly using the video camera. We have this hilarious clip of Ryan opening these trucks and he screams and points. If I can ever figure out how to upload it I will include it one day.

The trucks came with this fabulous remote control crane - he's had a lot of fun with it.

He also got a Thomas shaving set, DVDs, and bandaids. What can I say, the kid loves Thomas. Grandma Cookies sent that fabulous Thomas costume and lunchbox (that he has hardly put down.) Grandma Bayles sent the Thomas puzzle and lincoln logs, plus some great lacing toys that we used at church.

Then, we went over to the Orange County Zoo and he actually got to ride on the zoo train this time.

I was a little nervous for that bunny on the tracks.

If you zoom in on this one you can still see that bunny. It looks like he got off the track in time. whew!

A shot next to the train.

Some pictures of the little sister.

Oh, I got my Beco Baby Carrier in the mail the day before. Time to try it out.



I can't really say that it is "slimming" like it claims, but it was very comfortable. The weight is mostly supported on the hips and that makes it very nice. I like that it can be worn in front, back, or on the hip. We were going to do a paddle boat but the rental was more money than we had left so we opted to let Ryan go on a pony ride instead.


At the last minute he totally chickened out so we let Katie ride instead. (As a strange side note: a guy who was doing a pony ride with his son asked about the Beco Baby Carrier. Turns out, his wife was the one who designed it. What are the chances?)

Waving at the boys.

Petting the pony.

We also wanted to have cake with the neighbor kids (who have all invited Ryan to their parties.) Ryan asked me for a Spencer cake (a certain train from Thomas) and I ALMOST attempted it. It could've been some sort of adaptation of this fabulous Thomas one. Then I had a reality check and realized that I just didn't have the time to do it. So, I found this tractor cake pan at JoAnns and followed the directions. A BIG thanks to Jana for introducing me to icing coloring that made the grey and black possible. I owe the success to you.

(It's supposed to be tire tread.)

Another successful "party."

Katie enjoyed birthday spaghetti dinner.