For Spencer

I don't know when your daddy started calling you "Spud."   
When you were two weeks? Two months? I can't remember.

Whenever it was, "Spud" stuck.  The thing I love about your nickname is that it was completely deliberate.  Dad wanted something to call you while he waited for "Spencer" to fit (it takes a little while for babies to grow into their names).  After a few days, he informed me that the matter was settled:  SPUD was the perfect blend of SPencer Dee, Dad thought.  And...that was that.  You've been your daddy's little Spud ever since. 

Dad wasn't the only one who used the nickname.  Lucy caught on quickly and that kind of sealed the deal.  "Spud" has been your second name for years now.  What could I do but throw you a potato party for your third birthday?! 

 

I thought of the idea several months ago and was so excited to tell your dad.  "And we'll eat potatoes!  And have potato games! And buy a Mr. Potato head! And..."

Dad listened with the smile he always wore when I was excited about something.  

I remembered that smile vividly when your birthday came at the beginning of September.  I had to procrastinate the party a little.  About a month, actually.  But you didn't mind!  You were so happy to help with all of my slow preparations.  You helped me to fill our "Hot Potato"  bean bags.

You loved the tiny sack-of-potato party favors Grandma Packer and I made from an old pair of my shorts. 

 

(Those were especially fun to fill...snitch...nibble...giggle...giggle.  Raisinettes made perfect little sweet potatoes!)

On the day of the party, you and Lucy helped to scrub up the spuds! 

Baked potatoes for the big guys.  You and your friends got tater tots! And a variety of other picnic blanket finger foods. (Say Cheese!)

There were also "spudnuts" to go around (doughnut holes) and a little Spud to top off your cake. 

We had a few energetic rounds of hot potato...

and lots of free play time because the potato sacks I ordered for racing came late in the mail! But we used them with Avery and Emma and Kate!  

     

And it was all fun!
You didn't care that I forgot to cover the tape on your banner with balloons!

(Sigh!)

You just loved playing with so many friends!

       

And I just love you, my energetic, fun, sweet, sincere little Spud. 

After your party, I washed the frosting off of your new toy and handed him to you with a few ideas about his interchangeable parts. You took him into your bedroom and I overheard you say to Lucy, "Mom says I can break this guy!"

Oh, Spud, you make me laugh! 
You are your daddy's son.   
I love you, and so does he!!!