There are so many great ideas out there for ways to commemorate birthdays and one that's really stuck with me is a "Birthday Survey." It's a survey with 20 questions that you ask your kids every year. My plan is to compile E and B's answers over the years and put them into a book to give them when they turn 18. It'll be fun for them to see how they've changed over the years and maybe help them remember some things from their childhood better. This article (that includes printables!) from Twin Cities Moms Blog was the main influence for the questions I chose--I changed up a few, to better suit B and our family. 

Age three might be a little young to try this survey for my boy, but we gave it a whirl. It was about 1/2 his answers, 1/4 influenced by his sister, and the rest was my input. But it's ok, I do know him pretty well.

• Age: 3
• Favorite Color: Cars {Mom input: not quite understanding colors but I'm not stressing about it, remember? We'll go with "Lightning McQueen" red.}
• Best Friend: Daddy (in background, E asks, "B, isn't your best friend your sister?")
• Favorite Snack/Treat: Cookies
• What do you want to be when you grow up: {Mom answer: something that involves screaming.}
• Favorite Song(s): Beauty & the Beast Song "Belle" {Mom input: he loves the "Bonjour!" part} or Cars Song "Life is a Highway" {More Mom input: If this question had been asked between the months of October through February the answer would have been "Froppy de Snowman." He sang it all. the. time.}
• Favorite TV Show: Super Why
• Favorite thing to do with family: Run outside
• Favorite Book: Cars
• What do you like for breakfast: Cereal (once again, in the background, E pipes up: "good answer, B!")
• Most important thing learned so far: {Mom Answer: Saying Please, Thank-You, Excuse Me, & Bless You; Counting and ABC song}
• Favorite Toy: Brandon proceeds to go and pick out a baby rattle. He has never played with it.
• Are you afraid of anything: {Mom answer: Goldy Gopher terrifies him.}
• Mom's favorite thing to do with you: Cuddling and looking at pictures/books.
• Dad's favorite thing to do with you: Running outside--B chasing Daddy!
• Favorite thing for dinner: Pizza (E: "I like all foods that start with a 'p'--pizza, pasta, pancakes!")
• Favorite thing to do outside: Play with balls
• Favorite place to visit: Elena's School or Milwaukee ("B watch Cars and E watch Rapunzel in car!")
• What is one thing you want for your birthday: Cake (after E screamed, "we get caaaaaaake!")
• How are you celebrating your birthday this year: {Mom answer: MOA--dinner and fun!}

{My absolute, hands-down, favorite picture of B in the past 12 months.}

So, my baby boy, this has been a crazy year. 

You went from barely talking to talking nonstop.

You went from inhaling your food and being a constant choking hazard to still doing that but somehow becoming an incredibly picky eater. (Who doesn't like bacon???)

You went from being pretty easy-going to having very strong opinions about things (typically expressed through screams and throwing your body around on the ground).

You went from being constantly under siege by your older sister to taking her down any time you have a chance.

You went from being somewhat interested in your sister to needing to be by her at all times. You want anything she has. You want to do anything she is doing. You imitate everything she does. You love Disney princesses as much as she does. You sing "Let it Go" together and ask her to sing "The Snowman Song." You adore your sister. I hope that never changes. (We just need to work on the constant wrestling.)

But one thing that hasn't changed, you will always be my baby. Happy birthday.

{This is what I wrote last year for B's birthday.}

xo Sara

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