Kwabena’s Turned Three!!

Wow, where’s the last three years gone? Kwabena’s grown and changed so much, as all kids do. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t look at him in utter amazement at this beautiful specimen we created. The things he says to me make me laugh in a way that nothing else does. His needs and wants are met with nary a complaint or frustration (well, at least, not on my part, lol). Taking care of him has been a total joy, filled with unexpected surprises and fulfillment. I enjoy looking forward to the many, many more years of parenting 🙂

So today the plan was to go to the International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C., which is only about a 30 minutes drive. I was expecting it to be better than what it was–I mean, they had a lot of historic spy information, and exhibits with sneaky spy equipment. But it was sparse, and really not that entertaining. I can’t really say we wasted our $36 to get in, but we probably could have used it for something better.

Afterwards, we stopped for lunch at some tea shop close to the museum. Holy hell! It was $32 for salad, veggie tempura, and miso soup! Okay, not to mention drinks, but damn….. Oh well, it’s Kwabena’s birthday. Too bad Kwabena accidentally dumped a half bottle of $5.00 POM juice all over his shirt and pants (thank God he was wearing black!)–I was really thirsty, too!

He fell asleep in the car, and finished his nap at home. I took a short nap, too, then got up and made his chocolate cake, preparing for Kwasi’s mom (Nana Ba) and brother (Kofi) to come by for his little party. I was actually glad we didn’t have a larger party. First of all, the majority of kids he knows are from daycare, and a few of my mommy friends that have kids. It would have been a nightmare. I just do not like to throw parties, so something small and intimate with his closest people/family is the way to go (at least right now when he doesn’t know any differently). Plus, considering that we aren’t close to a lot of people, it just made sense to have a party with those people who are closest to us–Kwasi’s mom and brother. Next weekend we’ll drive to my hometown and have a small party with my mom, niece, and nephew.

We ran to the grocery store for a couple things, one of which was a couple Hot Wheels cars for Kwabena (my friend, Morning, sent $2.00 for Kwabena). He decided he wanted to use it for new cars. Well, he ended up suckering me for an additional $8.00 when he said he wanted this 10-car set. *sigh* This kid already has a whole bag of Hot Wheels! But, I mean, that’s what he likes best, so why not?

After cake and ice cream that nice, Kwabena opening his presents. He got $50.00 from Nana Ba, which will go into his bank account. And from me he got a microscope (which I have decided to take back because it just wasn’t worth the $ for the little bit you can actually see through it), a pair of skates (which may also end up going back, depending on how stoked he really is about them or not), a Lightening McQueen 46-piece jumbo puzzle, the game Shutes and Ladders (if I can hold his attention long enough to actually play, that is), and a car track (which was probably the best gift, since that’s where his passion is–CARS).

It’s now 10:33 p.m., and I have literally gone into his room about 7 or 8 times this evening, for a variety of reasons–his 10 new cars needed to be covered up……then he was crying because he thought he’d lost some of his new cars…..then he needed water….It’s actually pretty quiet in there now, so I suppose he’s succumbed to sleep now?? LOL Thank God I have off of work tomorrow! Otherwise getting him up early for daycare could be an exhausted nightmare!

Overall, great day! Great weekend!!!

First waking up on his birthday morning:

Opening a couple gifts early:

Daddy was ready to go to the Spy Museum:

We tried to get Kwabena in this picture, but he wouldn’t come!

After much cajoling and reverse psychology, he came! 🙂

Peek-a-boo Kwabena…He kept darting in and out between the columns:

Ahhh…open spaces to run….

Hanging out after the Spy Museum:

Money: best gift ever!

Opening gifts:

Kwabena’s party! From the left: Nana Ba, Kwasi, Kwabena, Serena, Uncle Kofi
(I’m sure we were all thinking about Nana Bama, Kwasi’s dad, who couldn’t be with us….RIP)