Silas’ 8th birthday fell on the same day that our older kids’ performance of Guys and Dolls was scheduled. Of course, I didn’t love that, but I had known since last fall that the performance would conflict with his birthday, so we planned around it. Jonny took Silas, Beatrix, and our younger children to Yorktown the week before, a trip that has become a yearly birthday tradition. I stayed home to take the older kids to rehearsal and was okay missing the trip this year. It’s always a little hot, sticky, and sandy.
We like to cook a special breakfast on birthdays and follow that by opening gifts and were still able to do that on the morning of Silas’ birthday. Kids are funny about the things they ask for sometimes. This year, the main gift that Silas requested was one of those little gemstone excavating kits. They last all of five minutes, but I guess it’s a very fun five minutes. I ended up ordering this set (affiliate link) that contains a make your own volcano kit along with crystal growing supplies in addition to the gemstone part. Silas thought it was amazing. So did Job. (Please note his expressions in the gift opening photos-he was hilarious.) The gift that was the biggest hit, and that I am most pleased with was this kit I ordered from Nova Natural as a surprise. I love it because it requires building multiple components, so you get two levels of play from it, the building and then putting into action. Gabe helped Silas put together most of the components, and then he was able to follow the directions to assemble some on his own as well. He’s gotten so much play value from the construction aspect, that we haven’t even set the whole thing up yet. I don’t typically have this much to say about a birthday gift, but this was a good one!
Silas really let me off the hook by asking for ice cream for his birthday treat rather than a cake, so after Guys and Dolls, we came home and had ice cream sundaes. Somehow we forgot to sing happy birthday, and there were no candles either. That prompted a bit of guilt, though I don’t think Silas had even noticed. A couple of days later at a friend’s going away party I brought cupcakes and we sang to him then, so in the end, all was well. Sometimes the birthdays that end up falling on less than perfect days end up being the most celebrated, and I think that Silas was pleased with how everything ended up.
Oh-I almost forgot about the bees! The day after Silas’ birthday, the bees that moved into a hive next to our front walk only about six weeks ago sent out a swarm, which we found very surprising. Jonny was able to successfully get them into a hive, so now we are back up to four beehives. And I thought we were getting out of beekeeping! There’s something very fascinating about swarms. I just picked up a book about swarming called Honeybee Democracy at our library book sale. If you are interested in animal behavior, you might really enjoy this one.
My next big task is to get Mabel’s birthday planned. We usually buy our kids balance bikes at this age, but our driveway at the new house is steep, and we are worried that maybe it isn’t a good idea this year. Any favorite gifts for three-year-olds? I’d like to get her a few books. If you have any new favorites, please share! She’s growing up so fast…She moved out of our bedroom last week and in with the big girls. I was very ready, though I’m not sure Jonny was. Mabel certainly hasn’t looked back.
p.s. The baby bunnies have moved away and this was the last photo I took of them:
Kelli Ramey says
My friend, Gwen, is a retired English teacher and a longtime member of Friends of the Library. She tells me that 3-yr-olds need counting, rhyming and alphabet books. Her favorite is”Three Little Kittens.”
I am always in awe of how you make each of your children feel so special.
Melissa Nichols says
The cable car toy looks fantastic, might be good for my son who’s nine. He always wants to build things and usually raids the recycle bin for materials. And those bunnies!! <3
Becca says
We got our turning-three year old daughter (She was born early May), play dough and a little Melissa and Doug cooking utensils set and my mom got her a tiny China doll tea set. She loves everything and uses them a lot. She just puts water in the tea set. She also loves the cheap dishes and pots and pans that I got at Goodwill, for playing outside in the dirt with. 🙂
karen says
they are growing too fast for me….happy birthday! I do love the candid shots you get when you are photographing, so sweet. Can you believe we are in mid June? Where oh where did the time go?
Nicole Spring says
Okay… the 3rd photo down – ALL your boys faces are priceless!!!!
Cindy in NC says
My granddaughter turned three last month. In addition to making her a snuggle size quilt, I got her a set of Melissa and Doug sewing/lacing cards and a very cute board book called Tough Chicks. I found it a Sams’s Club, but it’s also available through Amazon.
Lady Locust says
Those bees are amazing!!! What a vision.
Also, they all looked as though they enjoyed the birthday:-)
Joan Benson says
Hi Ginny,
I love reading your posts and seeing your beautiful photographs that illustrate your writing so well. Happy Birthday to Silas. You have a beautiful growing family.
Love, Joan
Brittany Austin says
My kids love Grame Base, especially his Sign of the Seahorse. My husband had tons of them as a kid so many of ours are from his childhood but you can usually find them on Amazon.
Donna says
Your kids are quickly growing up! Mabel is nearly 3! Oh Ginny, what will you do when your house is quiet? Do you think about that? I guess I realize that, when my grandchildren come to stay with me. I have 6 of them. I watch 5 when their mom has a workshop to go to, or keep one overnight. I enjoy them.
Silas had a great birthday. Love the animated expressions on all the faces in each picture. Great pictures.
Mary Beth says
Do you have the book called Farmer Brown Shears His Sheep? After 12+ years of reading it to my kids, its still one of my favorites to read.
Marion says
I loved seeing all the children around Silas as he opens his packages. Ice Cream Sundaies sound good. HAPPY BIRTHDAY SILAS have a fun ,happy and blessed year.
Gifts for Mabel could be a pair of learning roller skates,books and a jump rope. Of course a doll is always welcome accompanied by a carriage.
Marion
Marilyn says
Silas WOW you are 8 years old now. HAPPY BIRTHDAY .Wishing you a year of love,happiness and blessings. Mabel might enjoy a tea set and tea books to go with the set. Fancy Nancy’s Tea Party is one and there are many other titles that are about tea parties.
Marilyn
Joan says
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SILAS You received some very interesting and fun gifts. Love watching you opening your presents. Have a blessed year.
Joan
Kari in Texas says
Board books for 3 year old–Big Red Barn by Margaret Wise Brown, Jesse Bear What will you wear by Nancy White Carlstrom, and Jamberry by Bruce Degen. Enjoy your children.
Merlanie Allred says
Our favorite books were about Mr. Putter and Tabby. Two of my kids are in their thirties and I still have these books!
Melanie Allred says
My name is Melanie not Merlanie! (O:
Eileen says
Happy Birthday Silas! Loved the surprise expression on both Silas and Job’s face opening gifts.
Getting out of the bee buisiness? Why?
Seth, is looking just like Jonny and Gabe so mature.
Gift for Mabel, I got my 3yr old granddaughter a bug kit with books, net, bug holder and magnifying glass,(though it’s really plastic). She loves it, we are always outside solving ‘mysteries”, finding bugs etc. Hard to believe these babies are turning 3 years old!
Dawn says
At age 3, my daughter loved a tin tea set, a little picnic basket filled with felted food, and a wood easel with a paper pad and big brushes and washable paint.
Emilie Holzer says
If you have a lot of Duplos already, my kids have all loved the addition of Hubelinos. This lets you turn your blocks into very intricate (or very simple for the younger ones) marble runs. My oldest daughter loves to build them, while my youngest loves to play with what she builds. The best place to buy them in the US is Amazon. There are much cheaper sets out there, but the craftsmanship seems questionable. These are very high quality!
Laura says
I’m a preschool teacher wondering how in the world it is that I’ve never heard of these before! I’m putting them on my shopping list right now.
Ana Podolyan says
Hi Ginny,
I love reading your blog – I think I never missed a post and reread everything you wrote before I discovered your blog 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing your days with us – I appreciate it a lot. I have two children (5 and 7) and parenting often seems hard for me. You are my inspiration and when I find that my life is hard (with two children!) I get back to your blog to calm down and get inspired. Then I usually knit another Milo vest, go outside to play with my children or just read them books. And everyone is happier after that 🙂
You asked for a gift ideas for Mabel and I thought that your driveway might be well suitable for a giant box of colourful chalk. My children loved Crayola 48ct Washable Sidewalk Chalk Assorted Colors, the only downside is that they might need a better storage after a month or two, as the box does not last very long 🙂
Ana
Christi {Jealous Hands} says
Happy Birthday, Dear Silas! xo