Jared's Third Birthday Party!!

Riding the train at Kinsmen Park.

Mommy and Ayda.

Birthday boy on the carousel. 

Waving to Daddy.

Mommy and her beautiful first-born. Oh, and an attempted Kung Fu Panda cake...

So Jared doesn't officially turn 3 until Tuesday, but we had his party on Saturday. It was a cool day (well, a cool late morning to early afternoon, exactly when the party was) but no snow and only a bit of rain at the very end. We rented the rides at Kinsmen Park and 25 adults and 22 kids enjoyed riding them for an hour. We went from the train to the carousel to the train to the carousel to the train. Okay, so the adults were getting a bit bored by the end, but not the kids, and that's more important! Then we made our way to the little shelter for a hot dog lunch. It was perfect, because when it started to rain just before the cake, we all had a place to gather. The little shack got quite warm with that many bodies inside. I attempted to make a Po cake (Kung Fu Panda - at Jared's request) but it didn't turn out the way I had envisioned. I made three batches of rice krispie squares and molded my panda out of those. I then covered him with fondant. He was quite bumpy, due to the fact that rice krispie squares are not smooth, but I didn't know how to fix that. On a regular cake, you use icing to smooth everything out first, but I don't think it would have worked with rice krispie squares. It was a good learning experience and now I have one under my belt with time to think about and research how to improve the next one, if I ever try this method again. But Jared saw the cake and after an excited gasp, said, "Kung Fu Panda!" so that was good enough for me! By the way, no, we didn't eat Po. I made cupcakes to actually eat, and they were delicious, if I do say so myself!

It was then a gong show with opening gifts. A lot of kids gathered (and by gathered I mean crowded) around Jared, who at first wanted to stop and play with each item he opened. He soon understood that they were all for him, and then ripped into each one, barely giving Ryan and Carrie time to sort what was from who. (I was busy cuddling a very tired and clingy Ayda.) It was great! After everyone had left, and we were packing up, Jared said in a sad but satisfied voice, "My birthday party is over." He had a blast and that makes me happy. We'll do a little family thing on his actual birthday. Maybe try out a bike ride with the new bike we got him!