Yesterday was Jackson’s birthday and he turned three (!!). The photo is from the day before, his last day as a 2-year-old. I wish I could say he had a great birthday, but the truth is he was in a terribly cranky mood from the minute he woke up until the minute he went to bed (although his sitter assures me that, for the morning hours he was with her, he was in a great mood…). We tried to make it a special day, too, and our efforts were unappreciated to say the least. For example, I made both the strawberry birthday cake and lasagna he requested (and those of you who have made lasagna from scratch can appreciate the work involved), and then, when I presented them at dinner time, he said, “I don’t want that!!” And instead of saying thank you for his gifts (which included his first scooter), he threw some of them across the room, yelling, “I don’t want this!”
I had heard that three is worse than two, but, my God, I hope his first day as a three-year-old isn’t indicative of the year we have ahead of us. Jackson has his moments, sure, but in general he is a very sweet, well-behaved, compassionate little boy. Strangers comment on his sweet disposition and good behavior regularly. And one of the most important things to me as a parent is raising him to be kind and grateful, so it kills me when he acts like a brat. I even said to him, “Where’s my sweet Jackson today? Where did he go and when is he coming back?” I’m going to chalk this up to some sort of early-onset birthday blues and hope it was just a bad day. We are throwing him a party this weekend and keeping fingers crossed he is much nicer to his guests than he was to us yesterday. We’re also keeping our fingers crossed for good weather. It’s supposed to rain all morning tomorrow at exactly when the (outdoor) party is planned.
Aside from the birthday party, I’m hoping for at least a few hours of down time. It’s been a crazy and busy month, starting with the chemical pregnancy four weeks ago and including lots of other stresses and activity. Not all of it has been bad, of course, but all of it has been tiring. I could use a whole weekend just to catch up on rest. Hey, who wants to come babysit a super-active 3-year-old who’s currently channeling Veruca Salt? Anyone??
UPDATE: As of 2 PM, my son is back! I hope I don’t see that crazy kid from yesterday for a very long time.
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Lily in NYC October 10, 2014, 4:33 pm
I firmly believe that kids are more depraved at 3 than at 2. But they are also hilarious when they are 3. In Russia, they actually say “terrible threes”, not “terrible twos”, like in the US. Happy Bday to Jackson!
trixy minx October 10, 2014, 5:00 pm
If I was in new York I’d offer to babysit.
Addie Pray October 10, 2014, 5:23 pm
I love that picture of Jackson. It’s colorful, and happy, and it looks so New York. I miss New York. And Jackson. And Wendy. And Tara. And Sonia. And Max. And Aurora. And Brian. Ohhhh BRIIIIIIAN.
TaraMonster October 11, 2014, 4:49 pm
We miss you too, girl. 🙂
Ika October 10, 2014, 5:24 pm
Happy Birthday Jackson!!! I love 3 year olds, they really start developng/showng their personalities (lets just hope yesterday was a off day haha)
I am glad this week is over. Yesterdy and today were just shitty shitty days. A contractor fucked up so our move will probably be later (still) than expected. My husband was in a (slight, thank goodness) car crash, and today a patients relatve started yellng at me.
On the bright side I got to spend time with my nieces and nephew the othe day, my kids didn´t know them, and I had only seen the oldest two years ago. (they live overseas)
Also, this weekend is a 3 day weekend! 🙂 Tomorrow I´m going with the girls to see Disney Live. The 6 y o is eally excited, and I havent told the 3 year old yet. She is going to be so excited! A while ago we were at a birthday party and there was a person dressed up as Minnie Mouse and my kid was so happy! So seeing all of her favourite characters is going to be like a dream for her! I´m not sure what the rest of the weekend holds in store, except for having to take some stuff and do some stuff at the new house.
MissDre October 10, 2014, 6:02 pm
Happy Thanksgiving to all my fellow Canadian DWers!
Miel October 10, 2014, 8:22 pm
I actually went back home last weekend, it confused all my american friends because they then thought Thanksgiving was last week. I was like “wut ? I don’t even know when thanksgiving is !”
Well Thanksgiving is this weekend apparently. Great. I was completely unaware of it.
Dear Wendy October 10, 2014, 7:26 pm
Happy Thanksgiving, Canadians! We love you from down south.
Addie Pray October 10, 2014, 7:39 pm
‘Member that one time you said happy thanksgiving and some Canadians shat a brick?
Ika October 10, 2014, 7:43 pm
I so remembered that when I saw Miss Dre´s commet haha
Dear Wendy October 10, 2014, 8:10 pm
Yes! Canadians are SO sensitive.
Pamplemousse Rose October 11, 2014, 10:29 am
And Happy Columbus Day to you, Americans! I’m making 5 pies today. My BIL insisted on a Turducken. Apparently it takes 9 hours to cook (he thought it was 4 until I read the directions and pointed out the second 4-5 hours required). And happy birthday Jackson! I’m glad to hear he’s back to his usual self.
Classic October 10, 2014, 6:28 pm
ME ME ME ME I wanna babysit can I oh puh leeezze
Oh ooops phooey too late
Dang he is a cutie
Dear Wendy October 10, 2014, 7:27 pm
Yes! Come!
Now he is saying over and over how he doesn’t want to be three, he wants to be twwwwooooooo.
Classic October 10, 2014, 7:32 pm
Yay winning!! You guys I get to babysit my Jackson!
Dear Wendy, I am an excellent babysitter for reals 🙂
We will talk about the benefits of threes and twos. Thank you, dear Wendy– you are the best.
Addie Pray October 10, 2014, 7:38 pm
No fair I wanna babysit Jackson! Wendy! Drew! Ok classic and I will BOTH sit for Jackson. Together.
Classic October 10, 2014, 7:41 pm
That’s right.
Portia October 10, 2014, 8:20 pm
Aww, poor Jackson. Don’t tell him that he’s gonna turn four next, I think it’ll be too much for him.
Portia October 11, 2014, 10:47 am
Oh, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACKSON!
d2 October 10, 2014, 10:25 pm
As a kid, I was always excited to be the next year older. One year older meant that you were more mature and adult-like. (Yeah right, I’m still working on the more mature and adult-like thing.) Hitting double digits (age 10) was a big deal. However, that eager anticipation died off years ago, and now I hope that nobody notices that I am a year older.
Jane63 October 10, 2014, 9:13 pm
Happy Birthday, Jackson! Hope the next year brings you lots of trains!
Sue Jones October 10, 2014, 11:11 pm
I remember my little Boo’s 3rd birthday very well! We were in Maine and had a beach day that day. Most importantly, it was the day that I stopped breastfeeding him. He liked it so much that for the 6 months leading up to his birthday, I had to convince him that 3 year olds don’t get the boob anymore since they are so grown up! He had a cry that day, but otherwise was fine. I remember that he got this toy with magnetic fears that you put together… Ah, memories! For us, 4 was the worst. Now he is an 11 year old angel! I hope it lasts through adolescence and beyond!
Sue Jones October 10, 2014, 11:13 pm
Gears, I mean! Not fears! Oy!
Moneypenny October 11, 2014, 12:43 am
Happy birthday Jackson!
Tomorrow is a sandcastle contest that my company is participating in for a nonprofit fundraiser. We’re working with schoolkids to build (in 4 hours) great big sand sculptures of scary-themed food: a sandwich eating a witch (like a sandwich with teeth with witch feet at the bottom a la the Wizard of Oz), a tacodile (taco crocodile), a big pumpkin with claws, and some tombstones. Our team name is the Sandwiches and Sandwizards. When it’s all over I will dump sand out of my pants, shower, and collapse on the couch.
Le Pinch October 11, 2014, 1:08 am
Sounds like fun MoneyPenny. I’m mostly going to be dogsitting, then but hopefully I can make some time on Sunday to go drive down the coast and go to the pub.
TaraMonster October 11, 2014, 4:52 pm
Happy happy birthday, Jackson! I’d babysit, but I’m moving this weekend. I’m actually packing right now (Well not right now. Right now I’m typing. But you get what I mean.). Why do I own so many books? Who wants to come pack for me? *Crickets* Ok had to try!
Ika October 11, 2014, 5:36 pm
So what hapened with the apament? You signed the lease? DId you bring up kitty?
Dear Wendy October 12, 2014, 2:07 pm
We survived Jackson’s 3rd birthday party! It was scheduled for yesterday morning, but we had to reschedule for today because it was raining. Today is gorgeous and we had the party in the park and about 12 kids and their families came (we only lost a couple kids with the rain date). Jackson was on the verge of a meltdown for the first hour and 20 minutes, but when we brought the cake out, he cheered up immensely and ended up having a great time. Still, I think it was overwhelming for jack and a ton of work for us and in the future we’re going to probably stick with 3-4 friends (even though I loathe the idea of hurting feelings) and head to coney island for the afternoon. As for this year: we survived! And I’m so glad it’s over.
.
Also! We signed the lease on our new apartment yesterday. We move in about a month. So. no rest for the weary, I guess. But we’re very excited and happy.
othy October 12, 2014, 4:35 pm
My parents only let us invite the number of kids equal to the age we were when we were little. So, 5 kids for my 5th birthday. It kept it from getting too overwhelming, mostly because I can’t imagine dealing with 12 3 year olds and their families.
Lyra October 12, 2014, 8:42 pm
The most exciting part of my weekend was the fact that I made 3 cat sweaters!! They will go up on my fancy schmancy Etsy shop! Plus I got a new (cheap) coffee maker because mine died on Tuesday and I refused to pay for a ridiculously overpriced cup of coffee every day at the coffee shop. Plus I watched about 3 Disney movies with Navy Guy today alone. Living the dream.