My little boy is growing up!  3 years.  Dang.  Breaks my heart to see him getting so big, but I’m excited about all that’s waiting for him in this great big world.  What an adventure.

It was Katie’s idea to have his party at the Explorium of Lexington, which, if you haven’t been there for a birthday party, is a VERY cool venue.  The staff handles all of the activities and clean-up in the party room, and then all of the kids can stay at the Explorium as long as they want (or as long as the parents want…LOL) that same day.  Heads up?  If you’re a member there, you get a discount on the party, too.  Well worth it.

Our friend Brandi Romines, owner of Happy As A Lark Cake Creations, put her mad skills to work in making a dinosaur-themed cake for Carson.  Each dinosaur was sculpted and hand-painted.  Unbelievable talent.  Please, please, please contact Brandi for your next cake.  Her cakes are better than crack. You’ll be hooked!

I love this shot of Carson and his good friend Ally.

Background story for this shot:  For the last couple months, Katie has been telling Carson about blowing out his candles, and how everyone was going to be singing Happy Birthday to him.  We’ve been practicing, so when he finally heard everyone singing that familiar song to him, check out his expression…priceless.

Taking a spin for the first time on his new tricycle (thanks Nana and Gigi). I love the mix of joy and uncertainty here.  He’s looking at me as if to say, “This is awesome, I think, right?”