He is 3.

"Mommy I want my birthday to come back!" Hunter said as I struggled to get my eyes to focus.  "I want it to be my birthday AGAIN."  I couldn't think of a better way to wake up this morning.

"Oh sweetie, I am so glad you enjoyed your birthday.  Those only come once a year.  So glad yours was special,"  I told him.

Then I gathered him up, along with his brown blanket, paci and water cup and scooped him in to my bed.  He is a wonderful little cuddler.  He chatted this morning all about how much he loved his birthday and how, now that he is 3, he is big like daddy.   I wish I could have had a video camera because he was being so sweet and funny.  My heart is absolutely full.

On the morning of his birthday, I awoke to the sound of tissue paper.  I knew immediately that Hunter had found his presents and was helping himself!  I jumped out of bed and found him right where I thought he would be-- except he wasn't opening the presents.  He hadn't even tried.  He was touching one over and over and his eyes were as big as I had ever seen them.  He said, "Mommy, it's my birthday!  I am just sitting here checking out my presents!"  I laughed and told him I could see that.  He said, "Mommy, I didn't open them, I am just looking at them."  I told him that took great self-control and that I was proud of him for waiting for mommy & daddy.  Then I said, "Hunter did you see all of the decorations for your birthday?"  He said with awe in his eyes (I am not joking!), "Thank you, mommy!!!"  Oh my goodness I just about fell over.  He is the sweetest.

We then went together and woke up daddy (it was a little before 6 a.m. mind you!).  We all talked a bit and then decided Hunter should watch a little Mickey Mouse Clubhouse while we got ready.  He loved that idea.  Then I asked him if he wanted pancakes for breakfast, but he said he wanted his regular: peanut butter toast.  A good choice.

After breakfast, we let Hunter open his presents.  He got excited about every little thing and
since we gave him accessories for his new play kitchen, that was a lot of little things to get excited about.  We enjoyed suckers together as a family and played like we were calling each other with Hunter's new phones.  It was a magical time and though he may not always remember it, I will treasure that memory for years to come.

Daddy had class all day, so Hunter & Mommy got to play together all day!  We skyped with Grancie (My mom), watched Sesame Street, and then got ready to meet our friends at the Botanical Gardens.  Hunter officially needed a ticket this time!  Hunter had a great time with Anna and her brother Micah and I really enjoyed chatting with Rebekah.  We stayed for a long time.  Hunter's favorite was playing in a huge sand pit.  He dug in that thing for nearly an hour!

On the way home, both he and Adelyn fell asleep.  So when we got to our apartment, I sat outside on a park bench for about an hour.  It was great reading time for me & it was such a beautiful day.

 When Hunter woke up, we went upstairs to find another gift had been delivered!  Grancie & PaPaw got Hunter his first bicycle.  Daddy got home about this time and so we all went and enjoyed some time at the playground & seeing Hunter learn to ride his bike.

For dinner, we took Hunter to Chick-Fil-A (his favorite!).  Daddy & Hunter played Hide-N-Seek in the play area until way past bed time.  We let Hunter get as much out of his birthday as he possibly could! ;)

 Birthdays as a kid are so much fun.  But birthdays as a parent are so much fun, too!  I didn't know how much I could enjoy celebrating another human being.  I am starting to understand what delight is.  God Delights in his children and I get a little taste of what that is like with Hunter.  I loved seeing his eyes light up and his mind start to comprehend how he gets to do special things on his birthday.  What an honor and a privilege to be a part of his life.

When I put him to bed, I thanked God for the three years we have had with our little boy.  And I asked for many, many more.