Noah’s school had Praise Town today where they learn about different community helpers by rotating through various parts of the town (bakery, pizza parlor, vet clinic, etc.). Each child dresses as a community helper, and Noah chose to dress as a CHEF!
Our little community helper 
(Thanks, Grandma Nancy, for the Thomas apron!)
Noah went to spend the morning at Ella Rae’s house last week for a play date. Silly me to think Noah would be playing with little brother Alden’s trains the whole time. No! He and Ella Rae played DRESS UP! Thanks, Anne, for capturing these priceless pictures 
Noah wearing a tutu (notice the high heel, open-toed shoes!)
Ella Rae is the Princess and Noah is the Butterfly
Here comes the butterfly!
Now Noah is the princess and he’s taking care of his baby
Thanks for having us over, Ella Rae and Alden! Noah obviously had a great time!!
On Tuesday, I brought cupcakes to Noah’s class at school so we could celebrate his birthday. He knew I was coming, but he was so excited when I showed up (and I brought his new train friend, Molly with me!)
Waiting patiently while we sing “Happy Birthday”
Friends singing
He’s a pro at blowing out candles now
I think it’s in the kids’ rule book to eat a cupcake top-down
Cheese!
Noah was spinning around the classroom during music time!
Thanks Ms. Laura and Ms. Debbie for taking the time to help us celebrate
For Noah’s birthday, we took him to Monkey Joe’s. It was a rainy January day, and surprisingly we nearly had the place to ourselves. His sweet friends, Ella Rae and Alden (and their Mommy), joined us, and we all had a blast!
Papa Joe testing out one of the slides
Noah showing off his somersaults
Nana went down the slides, too!
We raced, he won (but I think he cheated!)
Papa!! You have to come here!
Racing up the wall
Two peas in a pod!
This is a big slide – I wonder if we can do it…
Let’s go down together!
Ella Rae, Noah and Alden loved the Cat in the Hat’s car
After a couple hours of running, jumping and sliding, we went to Chick-fil-a for Noah’s birthday lunch and a birthday ice cream cone!
Ooh, it’s COLD!
Silly ice cream face!
After lunch, we had to take Nana and Papa to get the train to the airport. Noah was so sweet after we dropped them off. He said, “I miss Nana and Papa! I want them back!”
What a fun birthday!
Noah loves the movie Ratatouille, and so we chose that as his theme for his birthday party:
The theme of the party was “Anyone Can Cook!” And with a group of 3 year olds, we proved that statement to be true!
Nana and Papa were in town for the birthday celebration, and so Noah enjoyed helping Nana with the veggie tray among other preparations.
Cupcakes? Check!
Mommy helping Noah get his apron on
Donning his chef hat (Thanks, Aunt Connie!!)
Ready for the party!
As the kids arrived, Noah greeted them at the door and gave them their aprons and hats.
“Welcome to my Birthday party!”
The “little chefs" were dropped off by their parents – the parents returned later for the “second seating” lunch.
(I think Chef Kelly was the only one who wore her hat the entire time!)
We started out by cooking up some Play-doh fun – burgers, ice cream and pizza for everyone!
Chef Sutton and Chef Noah making hamburgers
After everyone had their food prep practice with play doh, we moved to the kitchen to prepare our lunch. The kids made their own pizzas, and we assembled fruit skewers (although more fruit got eaten than skewered!)
Chef Tyler getting ready to make his pizza
Chef Gabriel brushed his crust with olive oil
Chef Noah’s turn
Daddy and Papa helped the little chefs with their masterpieces
Chef Sutton sneaking some cheese before his pizza was baked
Pizza time!
(It was so cute to hear all the kids together sing the blessing before eating – I wish I had my video camera out!)
After eating, all the kids got the giggles…
And then it just got sillier…
Chef Kelly was telling them to use their inside voices!
Papa Joe serenaded Noah with “Happy Birthday” when it was time for cupcakes
After going to a number of birthday parties, Noah was thrilled that it was finally his turn to blow out a candle!
Chef Sophia knows how to eat a cupcake!
After the sweet treats, Papa Joe gave violin lessons:
The kids started to get a little crazy when the moms showed up (or maybe it was the sugar rush). Either way, I loved it! I really think all our little chefs had a good time. Thank you to all our guests for helping to make Noah’s third birthday unforgettable! Y’all come back now, ya’ hear?
