Audience participation

Bah. There's nothing new to read. I'm having one of those days where I click "Refresh All" every ten minutes in my feed reader. That can't be good, can it? I guess I'll just have to entertain myself.

I made the CUTEST cupcakes for AJ's birthday party at daycare today. They're white cake, with white frosting and red sprinkles, and they're delish (every good chef tries the dish, don'tcha know). The teacher said to me on Wednesday, "Sure, bring 'em in. I'd do something if the parents don’t, but it's HIS day on Friday." (His birthday is Sunday.) It, of course, made me a little sad to think that some parents WOULDN'T do something for their kid's birthday… but to say so would be judgmental, since I don't know what circumstances other people are dealing with. I’m just glad that the daycare employs sweet, loving people like Miss Ashley who love the kids when they need loving, and celebrate each one on his or her special day.

So, for the birthday I think we have an official extravaganza locked and loaded, even as I tried not to. (At least there will only be ONE screaming kid running around, and he's mine.) The grandparents on both sides are headed this way as I type, as well as AJ's uncle, who's intending to propose to his girlfriend TONIGHT! We have to recommend a restaurant for the actual scene of the romance! And afterwards, they'll come back home to MY house! So exciting! I have the champagne chilling in the fridge right now. Ooh, maybe I should go out at lunch to get a bottle of sparkling juice for me and little fetus (now the size of half a pea!) to enjoy.

Although AJ's birthday is on Sunday, we'll likely celebrate Saturday with a lunch trip to the brand-new pizza buffet place, a Dora cake, and some presents:

• Spiderman sleeping bag
• "I Spy" card game
• "Cadoo" board game, which I hope is somehow "Memory" related
• possibly a plastic slide for the backyard
• a new Mr. Potato Head "outfit"
• a big plastic dinosaur playset, and
• 2 new battery-operated Thomas trains for our train set.

I'm very excited because it appears we are giving him NO MOVIES, for once. Just all good, imagination-spurring, smart-enhancing playthings. I think the birthday boy's going to be over the moon about all these gifts, but it brings up a good question:

What are good gifts for a 3-year-old boy?

My mom and I have been trying to keep a running list as AJ grows, so we'll know, next time we have a birthday party to attend (or next baby, perhaps!), which things get good reactions at which ages. Please share your favorites!