Max turns FREE..

and although free should be three, free is more fitting. He has only been 3 for a few weeks, but he is already trying to be so independent. He won't wear anything but his Rescue Squad Mater shirt, he wants to determine what he eats for dinner (which is going right for the treat without the meal), and thinks that naps are only for Peanut. It will take some adjusting but we will survive, right? We're finding that we have to pick our battles, because some are just more punishment on us... Need less to say, he is still sweet enough in the right moments that it makes the rest bearable.

We had a great birthday celebration with him. For dinner, we took him to the Play Place at McDonald's, a big treat! (And where he probably also picked up his nasty virus a few days later.)Even though it was a bit chilly, they both insisted on waiting outside for Daddy to come home so we could go for dinner.

His backpack is part of his birthday suit, and he won't go anywhere without it! (Another battle.)

We threw him a birthday party with his church and preschool friends, and his nearby boy cousins.

Dad made his awesome Mack cake. I was very impressed. He figured it out all on his own. In fact, Brig did most of the party. Thanks Dad for skipping out on study time to come home early and play Martha.

He got the rice burners from Cars, which include SnotRod, DJ, Boost, and Wingo. We are wondering when his obsession will end. With Cars 2 coming out this summer, we are thinking it could go on for awhile.

He struggled a bit with a blow like that... so he had to have some help!

He talked about playing Red Rover for a week after this. It might have been his favorite part!

Thanks to Aunt Heidi for taking pictures and keeping Peanut from eating the deer poop on the lawn. Somehow she managed to fall in every pile out there!