E Turns 3!!!

Elliott turned three at the beginning of April! His second birthday was overtaken by Covid and quarantine so we were all ecstatic to be able to celebrate and throw him the party that he deserved this year! Plus, this is the first year that he truly understands what a birthday is and he was thrilled about the idea of being celebrated, for weeks leading up to his party.

We kept the party simple and posted up at our neighborhood park. Anyone who knows Elliott, knows that he LOVES trash trucks, trash cans and the color orange. So that was the day from beginning to end. I went nuts at the orange section in Party City, we decorated our house with orange balloons, the party was orange themed, he wore orange, people showed up wearing orange and I think I counted over a dozen trash trucks in some capacity throughout the day.

The party itself included kids running rampant around the park, picnic blankets, lawn chairs, snacks and lots and lots of cake and cookies. Elliott dove face first into his birthday cake after we sang to him and, upon seeing this, all the other kids followed suit.

The day couldn’t have been more perfect.

I interviewed Elliott about his birthday and life these days, so I will let his interview and the birthday pictures do the rest of the talking.

• What was the favorite part of your birthday? Emmett
• How old are you? Geee
• What was your favorite present? Cake
• What kind of cake did you have? Garb cake (Garbage truck cake)
• What was your favorite part about being a 2 year old? Park
• Where are we moving? Colora
• What are you going to miss in Texas? Emmett and blue house
• How many trash trucks did you get? 3 (he held up five fingers)
• What is your favorite food? Bean tacos
• What are your make-believe names? E, Guy, Dr. Elliott Paul Wise (Dr. Wise is his pediatrician)
• What is your favorite part about having a big boy bed? Rawr (Dino sheets)
• What is your favorite part about going to the doctor? Lollipop
• What is your favorite part about going to speech? Swing
• What is your favorite part about being a big brother? Harpy Kisses

~My own ode to Elliott, on your 3rd birthday~

My son. I don’t know how to say it more simply then, I am a better person because of your existence. Your three years of life has changed all of mine.

God had some pretty massively big plans for the two of us that neither one of us could have ever prepared for and I am so grateful for all of it. I love you with every last cell of my body and I love celebrating you BIG for all of your milestones from birthdays and holidays to walking and talking.

I love your sly smile when you are teasing me, I love how you double blink your eyes when you try to wink at me, I love how you already put your face in both your hands when I embarrass you, I love how you close your eyes and open your mouth real wide when I ask you to sing me a song, I love how you put your hand on my leg when you want to be close, but still want your space, I love how your giggle makes your sister laugh until you both get hiccups, I love your love for books, I love how you dance and your penguin walk and your incredible imagination; truly the list could go on and on.

You are the most compassionate kid I have ever known & your observation in all situations will serve you well in life. You love hard, you take care of those around you and you laugh with abandon. There is absolutely nothing that can, or will, slow you down in this life. You are so incredibly brave, strong, resilient and FUNNY. How a three year old can understand and reciprocate sarcasm is beyond me, but it is one of my most favorite qualities about you.

You are mine (and many others’) hero and I cannot wait to see how you change the world. I love to watch you shine and I will do whatever I can to make your spotlight as bright as possible. You know how to LIVE, you know how to LOVE and you know how to teach others to take nothing for granted. Thank you God, for giving me the gift of Elliott.

Happy 3rd birthday baby- I love you, more.