How Many Ways Can You Celebrate??

If you have "Singleton" in your blood, birthdays are a really big deal and expected to last a really long time (especially if you are Alyssa Singleton Taylor :)  Therefore, I am proudly passing on the birthday traditions to my kids.  And as I explained in a previous post for Sam and Drew's birthdays, we have instituted "birthday week" at the Taylor house.  Mac's birthday week was filled with Thomas decorations, special treats, cupcakes, and a farm trip and finished up with a birthday celebration on his actual birthday, September 30. 

According to Mac, a birthday isn't a birthday without balloons.  The dining room was decorated all week to celebrate turning 3!!

Mac was so very proud to take Thomas cupcakes to his Awana class.  He was equally proud that he helped to make and decorate them. 

My Aunt Cheryl spoils my boys rotten.  Packages arrived all week for Mac and was he ever excited to open them up.  But even more excited to find each package filled with a Thomas toy!  He loved it all...thanks, Aunt Cheryl!!!

Thomas Cake for one very special Thomas-loving three year old boy

Drew was ready to celebrate also

Getting ready to blow out his candle

Some of our friends that came over to share the special day with us.  We are so blessed to have such great friends surrounding us here in Missouri that love our boys!

I had to put this picture...anytime that we go to someone's house, the kids all take off their shoes.  How sweet and well-mannered is that?!?  I was grateful :)

Mac was pleasantly surprised to receive gifts from his friends

Everyone getting in on the action

Someone gave Mac this costume...and buddy, he thought he truly morphed into Thomas when he put it on!

And let's not forget the "party" that my parents had for Mac when they were with us in mid-September.  We went to a yogurt shop, and they let Mac load up his cup with whatever he wanted.  And of course, balloons were present so Mac would feel like it was a party :)

It is still so hard to believe that my "baby" is already 3!  He is the sweetest, most kind-hearted little boy that I know who loves all things Thomas, Baby Drew, and candy :) 

A Day On The Farm

The weekend of Mac's birthday we had an absolutely wonderful time at The Wilson-Rutledge Farm in Springfield.  It is a really neat farm that is actually run by the public parks department, which means it's free to the public!  So glad we found this little gem.  One of the very best I have been to or seen.  And an added bonus was that since it is now the fall season, they had all of the pumpkin patch and extra activities open (for a nominal fee).  We all four had a really great day and plan to visit again very soon!

I couldn't resist a picture with the beautiful Mums.  These boys make my heart burst with happiness :)

We amazingly convinced Mac to go on a horse ride.  It never crossed my mind that Drew could ride, but they said he could.  So we strapped a helmet on that cute head and off they went!

Mac's initial reaction to the ride...not liking at all!  Even a few tears

Both boys riding their horses.  Such super volunteers to help!  The girls even took over my position with Mac so I could take pictures.  So thoughtful :)

Drew enjoyed his ride...

But also allowed himself to just totally flop all over with each step the horse took.  Sam had to work to keep him on and prevent whiplash! haha

Now saying "Giddy Up Horsey!"

He loved it and felt so big for going alone

Fun in the bounce house, trying to give Daddy a high-five

Water break!

Riding like a big boy in the cow train

Sam scrunched up in the seat with Drew.  Check out the name of that cow, "LuLu Belle"...you know I definitely made him ride in that one! LOL

Off they go!  Sam is the giant in the middle, and Mac is in the cow right behind him.

Milking a cow.  Quite the experience!

On the hay ride

Playing on the playground, every kid's favorite

A delicious birthday lunch of lots and lots of Cheetos

Sweet, sweet Drew!

Totally tuckered from a long, fun day!

Even Thomas and Percy were tired out and needed a nap :)

Skinny Jeans???

 What do you get when clothes need to be washed, you have a kinda too small pair of jeans, and a cute, chunky little boy?...

 A sweet, smiling youngun that appears to be sportin the latest trend of boy skinny jeans! haha

This however was not the intended case...but, bless his soul, I sure loaded him up for church in them.  I mean, whatcha gonna do??  Well, I know what I'm gonna do now...go buy him some new pants! haha

And oh my, I cannot believe my Baby Mac is about to be three years old in one short week!

He looks so grown with his big boy haircut and new big boy clothes

The Train Museum!!!!

So, if you know Mac or keep up with us on the blog, then you know he is in a serious Thomas the Train obsession phase.  Therefore, I was very, VERY excited when I stumbled upon the discovery of a train museum in Springfield.  It is only open on Saturdays for two hours from May to Oct.  I wasn't expecting much but knew he would be happy with anything train.  Boy were my expectations off!!!  It was the neatest thing ever!  Like an entire train, cars and all that you can walk through.  Some cars are set up with memorabilia and some are to depict what the train was actually like.  It was enjoyed by all!  We will definitely be returning :)

He thought this was so neat.  And he quickly educated us on the importance of coal and steam so that the engine can chuff and puff and pump his pistons :)

Mr. Conductor driving his engine to Tidmuth Sheds

And like I have mentioned before, Drew has no choice but to share a love for trains!  And that he does.

PePaw and Mac...look at the size of that thing!

My baby conductor

Sitting in the top section of the commuter car.  Notice the train whistle in Mac's mouth that truly sounds like a train blaring in your ear...thanks for that gift, PePaw! ;-)

Me and my train-loving boys...we sure enough braved this in the rain!  Rain or shine, we were going!!

Mac singing the Thomas theme song in the "booster" aka caboose

Hanging out on the colorful "booster"

Putting all his might into ringing the bell

This is to demonstrate the massiveness of this thing.  Check out my dad by the wheel.  I had no idea they were really so large when you see them whiz by your car.