WARNING: THIS POST CONTAINS GRAPHIC GUSHY PROUD FATHER MATERIAL
My little man turned three yesterday. I can’t believe that it has been three years since I first held Travis in my amazed and clumsy fingers. It is with a continued sense of wonder that I watch him grow and watch his hold on my world further entwine itself inextricably. He has grown into such a fun, smart, occasionally aggravating, bundle of energy. His language skills astound me daily, I worried that growing up with two languages would slow his development of both, but the opposite seems to be the case. And now he is three, well… Do the tantrums stop now?
He was up relatively early for him, and saw me off to work. Here he is in his first moments awake as a three year old,
I don’t think the significance of the day has quite sunk in yet. While dad went off to work, he and Leah prepared for his party in the evening, hoping for better weather so we could hold it out a Victor Bay. It was cold, rainy and windy here in Arctic Bay and the day didn’t promise to improve.
We baked the cakes (three) two days earlier (actually we baked four as we had another birthday cake to do for someone else), and finished decorating them last night. 
The fondant covered Sports Ball cake took a lot longer than we anticipated, each ball had to be notched out to fit around the others.
At Supper Leah announced that the party would be at Victor Bay, as apparently there was little wind over there. It would start at 7:00 pm. After supper Leah and Travis headed over there while I finished putting together his birthday present, which had only arrived on a cargo plane in the morning. We’ve had very spotty planes lately, no mail and only a little groceries. We finally got two planes in, one yesterday morning and the other the evening before.
Around here birthdays are celebrated by the parents hosting games for anyone who wishes to come. Leah always organizes our games, buying the prizes etc. and she does a great job. Last year I’m sure there were more people at Travis Birthday then the Canada Day celebration. It went until almost one o’clock. This year it was (expletive deleted) cold, wet and windy at Victor Bay despite the news that it was calm there, so there weren’t as many people, but there was still lots. The adults played outside 
(note the vehicles being used as a windbreak), while the kids played inside Leah’s mom’s tent.
Most people up here are great games players. The games usually involve some process of elimination and last person standing takes the prize. Quite often this involves some sort of task in the centre of the circle, such as untying knots from a length of rope. Two or more dice circulate amongst everyone, and when you roll the right number, its your turn at the task, until someone else rolls the right number. Last one to finish the task wins. Quite often with the kids it is roll a certain number and get eliminated until there is only one left.
I was left alone in the tent to get the cakes ready, and once they were out I had wished I was anywhere but in a tent with a bunch of children trying to keep them from the cakes.
After Travis blew out his candles
, he opened his presents. Included among them was his brand new, just off the plane, bicycle.
After some cake, he was one tired cranky boy.
So it was home for Travis and Dad, while the games continued. And after some jello he had his third bath of the day. He sure loves water, wish we had a pool here for him. Then after two books (What A Bad Dream by Mercer Mayer and Arthur’s Christmas) my tired, gentle three year old gave his dad a kiss goodnight and fell fast asleep. Three.
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2 responses
What a cutie pie! Great cakes too. 🙂
I’m wishing for a little of your cool weather right about now – it’s been near 100F here.
It just wouldn’t be a successful birthday without the post-party crankies! I still get them, especially after my cake come-downs.